Art takes on many different forms but at times, it may mean putting some epoxy on canvas. Regardless of whether you are preserving your artwork or if you are creating artwork with epoxy, is it possible to do it?
You can apply epoxy to canvas but the canvas has to be prepared in advance. It must be stretched and you need to reinforce the canvas so it doesn’t sag. After preparing the canvas, you can pour on the epoxy and get as creative as you like.
Although it is not difficult to put epoxy on canvas, there are some things that need to be kept in mind so you can do so successfully. Otherwise, you are likely to be unhappy with the project or you could even ruin the canvas and all of your hard work.
Fortunately, with a little advance preparation, there is not typically much that can go wrong. There are some things that we will discuss, such as having the epoxy pull away from the edges or having the canvas sag but these things are easily addressed.
You will also be happy to know that it is not likely that any cracking will take place in the epoxy. If you use the right type of epoxy resin, it provides a great deal of durability once it is fully cured. It also has a little bit of flexibility, so it can stand up to the flexibility of the canvas.
Can You Put Epoxy On Canvas? (How To)
There are many decisions to make when doing any type of art or craft project. As far as putting epoxy on canvas, you need to choose your canvas as well as the epoxy.
Most people tend to use inexpensive canvas that is already stretched on a board. There is nothing wrong with that choice, but if you are going to be doing something special, you may want to consider upgrading to a wood board rather than a piece of canvas.
As you will see, even canvas that is cheap can be prepared properly for using epoxy. In fact, the preparation process is one of the most important things to consider because it will allow you to apply the epoxy with as few problems as possible.
You also need to choose your epoxy. Although it certainly is possible to use any type of epoxy, some type of art resin is the best choice for putting on canvas. It tends to be more flexible and it also has qualities that provide UV stabilization.
In other words, choosing the right type of epoxy will ensure that the artwork will be around for a much longer time. It is also easier to work with epoxy which is made specifically for crafting purposes.
Let’s consider some other factors that will allow you to take part in this project and get the most out of it.
Should You Put Epoxy On Canvas?
As you could imagine, there are always going to be problems with any type of craft project. This is also true of putting epoxy on canvas. Even though it is possible, what issues should be considered in advance?
Drips – it is important to understand that drips are inevitable and they will occur down the sides of the canvas. It is not typically a problem because you can use a foam brush to smooth out the sides and apply the epoxy so the overall project is seamless.
The real problem occurs when the drips go down to the bottom and get on the back of the canvas. This can almost ruin the piece of art but you can overcome the problem by putting some painter’s tape on the back of the canvas at the edges in advance.
If you don’t tape the canvas, you may have a problem getting the epoxy off of the edges but if you heat it up with a heat gun, it is much easier to remove.
Level – Obviously, if the canvas is not level while you are working with it, then you are going to skew the epoxy in some way or another. You need to place the canvas on top of some small cups and then use a little level to ensure that there are not any problems.
Flakes – If you are using any type of flakes in the epoxy, they could stick up at times. You can remove the flakes after the epoxy dries by using nail clippers or lightly sanding the area.
Drooping – One of the biggest problems with putting epoxy on canvas is the fact that the epoxy is heavy. It may cause the canvas to droop, but you can avoid this by preparing properly.
We will discuss it in greater detail below but the easiest way to prepare for the weight of the epoxy is to put some clear epoxy on the back of the canvas. You can also stretch the canvas by wetting it with water and drying it with a heat gun.
Sides – One other problem is the possibility of the resin pulling away from the sides of the canvas. This does not always happen but when it does, it is usually because the canvas droops and the resin pools to the middle.
One way to avoid this is not to use stretch canvas. You can use a liquid art panel or perhaps even a wood panel. You can also support the canvas by putting some cardboard on the back or even using clear epoxy on the back of the canvas and doing the front after it dries.
What Tools Do You Need To Put Epoxy On Canvas?
It is important to gather your tools together before you get started with this project. What are some of the tools you will need?
Mixing Cups
Mixing Buckets
Wooden Paint Sticks
Heat Gun
Plastic to Protect the Worksurface
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Foam Brushes
Plastic Scraper or Squeegee
Sandpaper
Gloves
Safety Goggles
As you continue to take part in this type of project, you will find that there are other tools that are indispensable. Have these available for every project so you can be proud of the finished work.
What Preparations Do You Need To Put Epoxy On Canvas?
It is now time to start the actual process of putting epoxy on canvas. This begins with preparing everything properly. What do you need to do?
1. Tighten the Canvas – Before you begin working on canvas, spray some water on the back of the canvas to soak it. You can then dry the canvas with a heat gun and it will shrink it, causing it to tighten.
2. Support the Canvas – It is still important to support the canvas to avoid any problems with sagging. This can be done by putting a piece of cardboard on the back of the canvas or by putting some clear resin on the back of the canvas. You can work on it once the resin cures fully.
3. Tape – Use some painter’s tape to tape the edges on the bottom. This is to protect the edge from any drips that would get underneath the artwork and would be difficult to remove at a later time.
If you do get any resin on the underside, you can typically heat the epoxy up with a heat gun. That will make it much easier to remove.
3. Elevate and level – Use some small cups that are upside down on the work surface to elevate the canvas off of the table. This will allow you to work with the edges more easily.
You also need to ensure that the canvas is level and this can be done by using a small level on the canvas itself. Make sure that it is as level as possible to avoid problems with the epoxy moving on the artwork.
How To Put Epoxy On Canvas
Now that we have prepared the canvas, it’s time to put the epoxy on it. This is an exciting time of the project and it is one that will really bring out your artistic side. Follow these steps:
1. Choose the Epoxy – Although you have likely given this some thought ahead of time, it is important to consider the type of epoxy you will be using. Use an epoxy that is made for artwork because it is a little flexible and is much easier to work with than general epoxy resin.
2. Mix and Pour – Mix the epoxy resin with the hardener according to the instructions provided by the epoxy company. Generally speaking, it is a one-to-one mixture but using the measuring cups will allow you to get the mixture right, regardless of what it is.
Mix the epoxy by hand with a wooden stir stick. Don’t use a drill because it will add bubbles to the mix. You can then pour the epoxy resin on the canvas.
3. Spread – Use a foam brush or a plastic scraper to move the epoxy around the canvas. You want 100% coverage and some of the epoxy is going to run down the edges. That takes us to our next step.
4. Scoop – Scoop some of the epoxy off of the plastic under the canvas and apply it evenly to the edge of the canvas. You can use a foam brush to get the proper coverage. This will make the entire piece look flawless.
5. Bubbles – After applying and spreading the epoxy, you will probably have some bubbles. Hold a heat gun several inches from the canvas and move it around quickly. Be careful you don’t burn the epoxy. This will help to spread the epoxy even further and it will automatically remove the bubbles.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on November 15, 2022.
You can apply epoxy to canvas if you get the canvas ready in advance. This would include stabilizing the canvas and stretching it. After applying the epoxy, spread it over the canvas, and then make sure you spread it over the edges.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on November 15, 2022.