Liquitex Soluvar Varnish

Comments about Liquitex Soluvar Varnish:

The best and safest removable varnish I know of!

Comments about Liquitex Soluvar Varnish:

Easy to use.

Comments about Liquitex Soluvar Varnish:

Although the matte can be a bit misleading as it really is not matte, I love the varnish because of it's ease of use and protection.

Comments about Liquitex Soluvar Varnish:

I've used Liquitex Sol-u-var Varnish for many years, on hundreds of my acrylic paintings, and I am really pleased with the quality and archival nature of this varnish.
I use it fairly liberally, on my finished and dried acrylic paintings and it results in a deep, rich, clear finish. I like how this varnish deepens the darks a bit, and brightens the lights in my work! It's very close to the look of a fresh, wet paint application, which is what I see first as I apply the paint in my paintings. It brings the painting back into focus, in my opinion. Very nice!
It's also a true varnish, in that, it can be removed and re-applied in the future. Important for works that are stored in less than ideal situations perhaps; but, I really like best the true archival nature of Sol-u-var Varnish from Liquitex.
It's moderately priced, and easy to use. Easy to purchase through Blick at a very fair price, imo.
I've used this varnish for nearly 20 years, and paintings varnished then look as fresh and crisp as the day they were varnished. I think you'll like it.
One note, when applying, try different speed brush strokes to find the application speed that works best for you. Early on, I found that certain brush strokes were resulting in tiny sir bubbles, and while they are easy to brush out, it takes a bit of concentration and focus on the speed of the brush stroke to best eliminate the tiny air bubbles from the surface of the newly varnished painting.

Comments about Liquitex Soluvar Varnish:

It took a while to get comfortable w/this product. It can "puddle" if not used quickly and efficiently. I ruined one painting - impossible to remove. I use this product over acrylic paintings. Use it in a well ventilated room with no dust or insects flying around! I use the smallest bottle I think I will need as it gets thick after it is opened up. I level my canvases on two saw horses. The matte finish is beautiful. I would suggest practicing on a canvas you don't have a masterpiece on!

Comments about Liquitex Soluvar Varnish:

Use as a final coating on painting

Comments about Liquitex Soluvar Varnish:

I paint on wood, 300lb watercolor paper with gesso and canvas with mixed media as well as oils.
After experimenting with various products for several years I am sold on this for a high gloss varnish with a pretty fast try time for humid climate. I will definitely use it again.

Comments about Liquitex Soluvar Varnish:

I use both the spray version of this varnish, as well as the liquid version for different applications. Really I would give the product a 3.5 rating, because although the results are usually good, the product/process can be frustrating.

Recently I have had difficulty with the spray varnish. I have no complaints with the varnish itself, but the dispenser is problematic. The force of the spray is weak, and sometimes tends to sputter. I've gotten in the habit of saving the plastic valve depressors from spent cans, because I often have to swap them out on cans that become clogged. I'm on the website today because I begrudgingly have to order more after a brand new can worked for about 2 seconds and then stopped spraying. I tried replacing the plastic depressor, but it didn't help, so I have a full can of useless varnish.

As for the liquid version, I've had to do some concocting. The gloss is too glossy, and the matte is too matte, so I mix about 2 parts gloss with 1 part matte and 1 part paint thinner. Without the thinner it can be too viscous to apply. Unfortunately this also means that it usually takes two coats to get an even finish, as a single coat often appears cloudy in areas. The second coat is much more difficult to apply, also, as the varnish quickly becomes difficult to spread once it makes contact with the previous coat and becomes gummy. Sometimes the finish is uneven after a second coat, and a third coat just makes the surface too glossy. So in those cases I have to scrub off the varnish with a paint-thinner-soaked brush, and start all over. I've also found the varnish is easily marred if something stays in contact with the surface for too long. Again, this requires that the entire coat of varnish be stripped and re-applied. So this liquid version is as frustrating as the spray version, but I haven't found anything else that levels itself enough to prevent brush marks from showing.

Comments about Liquitex Soluvar Varnish:

I have used the varnish on acrylics and oils. Love the look of my paintings after applying the varnish. The colors really pop, and it is quick drying.

Comments about Liquitex Soluvar Varnish:

Easy to use, just need to be in well ventilated area. Very strong odor. Odor decreases significantly after 24 hrs. Covers smoothly.