How to Varnish an Acrylic Painting (and Why You Should)

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adminhaanz

2026-10-13

On 2026-10-12

Haanz Art GuideFree, practical advice from the team at Haanz Art & Craft Materials

Varnish is the final protective coat on a painting. This guide explains how to varnish an acrylic painting step by step: why it matters, when to do it, which finish to choose, and how to get an even coat without streaks or cloudiness.

Why varnish an acrylic painting?

It protects the paint from dust, dirt, fingerprints and humidity, which matters in Sri Lanka’s climate.
It gives the whole painting an even finish, removing patchy shiny and dull areas.
It brings back depth in colours that dried a little dull, especially darks.
It makes the surface easier to clean with a soft dry cloth.

When should you varnish?

Acrylic paint feels dry to the touch quickly, but it needs longer to dry all the way through. Wait at least two to three days for thin paintings and a week or more for thick, textured paint before varnishing. Varnishing too early can trap moisture and make the finish cloudy.

Gloss, matte or satin varnish?

Gloss makes colours look deep and vivid but reflects light, which can cause glare.
Matte has no shine, so it is easier to view and photograph, but colours look a little softer. Matte varnish can look slightly cloudy over very dark colours if applied thickly.
Satin sits in between. You can make a satin finish by mixing gloss and matte varnish of the same brand together.

A good approach is to apply your first coat in gloss for clarity, then a final coat in the sheen you want.

What you need

FUJIN Acrylic Varnish 100ml: our best-selling brush-on varnish, a protective top coat for acrylic paintings and crafts.
Mont Marte Gloss Acrylic Varnish 250ml: a larger bottle of gloss varnish for bigger canvases.
A wide, soft flat brush: the Gesso Brush 4-piece pack works well. Keep one clean brush only for varnish.
For oil paintings: use a varnish made for oils, such as FUJIN Dammar Varnish, only once the oil paint is fully dry, which takes months. For other products, see our painting mediums.

Prices change, so see each product page for today’s price.

How to varnish, step by step

Make sure the painting is fully dry and free of dust. Brush the surface gently with a soft, dry brush.
Work in a clean, dust-free room on a dry day. Lay the painting flat.
Stir the varnish gently. Don’t shake it, or you’ll make bubbles. Matte varnish needs stirring because the matting agent settles.
Pour a little into a clean dish rather than dipping into the bottle.
Apply a thin coat in long, even strokes in one direction, from one edge to the other.
Don’t go back over areas that have started to dry; this causes streaks.
Let it dry for the time on the label, then add a second thin coat at right angles to the first.
Leave the painting flat and covered from dust while it dries.

Common varnish problems

Cloudy or milky finish: usually a coat that is too thick, high humidity, or varnishing before the paint was fully dry.
Bubbles: from shaking the bottle or brushing too fast. Brush slowly and pop bubbles with the tip of the brush.
Streaks: from going back over half-dry varnish. Work quickly and keep a wet edge.

Want to learn more about painting surfaces? See our canvas guide and acrylic paint guide.

Frequently asked questions

Can I varnish crafts and wood?

Yes. Acrylic varnish also protects painted wood, stones and craft projects. For polymer clay, use a varnish made for clay.

How many coats of varnish do I need?

Two thin coats are usually better than one thick coat.

Can I use varnish on watercolour paintings?

Watercolours on paper are normally framed behind glass instead of varnished.

Do you deliver islandwide?

Yes. We deliver across Sri Lanka in 2–5 working days, with cash on delivery, card or bank transfer. You can also visit our shops in Boralesgamuwa and Horana, open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Not sure what to choose? WhatsApp the Haanz team on 0711 515 515 and we’ll help you choose the right finish.

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