Art Varnish

Overview

Art Varnish is a clear anti-graffiti varnish for authorised murals, street art and commissioned artwork. It is the easy-on Protective Clear Glaze, the same two-component coating as our Anti-Graffiti Coating, supplied for artists, councils and community projects. Applied over finished, fully dry paintwork, it cures to a tough, clear gloss topcoat. If the mural is tagged, the tag sits on the varnish rather than in the paint, so it can be cleaned off without harming the artwork beneath.

As an anti-graffiti coating for murals, it works indoors and outdoors: in subways, under bridges, at skate parks, in shopping centres and along art trails. Full graffiti resistance develops in about 4 hours at 20°C, and the data sheet gives a proven 20-year life.

Why choose it

• Protects the artwork: tags are removed from the varnish, not from the mural itself.
• Keeps colour and detail: a clear gloss finish with no tint.
• Fast: graffiti-resistant in about 4 hours at 20°C.
• Built to last: proven 20-year life, resistant to UV and weathering, and able to withstand hundreds of graffiti removals.
• Works over aerosol and acrylic paint once the artwork is fully dry.
• Low VOC and Class 0, for interior and exterior walls.

Where to use it

Use it to protect painted murals on brick, stone, concrete, masonry and render, and artwork on sealed timber, prepared metal and powder-coated surfaces. Typical projects include:

• commissioned murals in public spaces and transport environments
• art trails and painted street furniture
• subways, bridges, skate parks and shopping centres

Browse the street art protection range for related products.

Not suitable for: artwork that is still wet or curing, or paint that is flaking or damaged: repair defects first. On very textured or absorbent areas, test a patch to check the sheen and wet look before coating the whole piece.

How to apply it

1. Prepare: make sure the artwork is fully dry and free of dust, grease and loose material, with the wall below 6% moisture. Mask edges and adjacent materials.
2. Check conditions: apply at 5°C or above, with relative humidity above 40% and the surface at least 3°C above dew point.
3. Mix: pour the whole cure tin into the resin tin (5:1) and stir to an even consistency. Do not dilute. Use within the pot life, about 4 hours at 20°C.
4. Apply: one thin, even coat by brush, small roller or spray, cross-lapping so edges and corners are covered. When spraying, warm the material to 20°C, strain it through a 400-mesh filter and make one horizontal and one vertical pass.
5. Porous areas: apply a thin coat, leave 3–4 hours, then add a second light coat.
6. Cure: allow 4 hours at 20°C, protected from dust and rain. Full chemical cure takes 7 days.

How much do I need?

Practical coverage is 9–33 m² per litre, depending on the wall’s surface, porosity and texture. Rough or absorbent walls use more varnish. As a guide, a 420 ml pack covers about 4–14 m², 2.25 litres about 20–74 m² and 4.5 litres about 40–148 m². Measure the mural and use the coverage calculator above to choose the right packs.

Cleaning graffiti off it

The varnish gives a tough, wipe-clean surface. Remove tags with compatible graffiti wipes or removers, and the mark lifts from the varnish without damaging the design beneath. Wait 7 days after coating before using any chemical cleaner. For day-to-day dirt, mild detergent and water is enough; avoid abrasive pads, which can dull the gloss over time.

Good to know

• It is a gloss finish. The clear varnish adds shine, so patch-test to check how it looks on your artwork.
• Same product, two names. Anti-Graffiti Coating is the same clear glaze in the same sizes, sold for buildings and street furniture.
• Safety: read the safety data sheet before use. The curing agent is hazardous, so wear gloves, eye protection and protective clothing, keep it away from heat and flames, and work with good ventilation.
• Storage: keep sealed in a cool, dry place for up to 12 months.

See the clear glaze on real public art: the Doncaster Market mural, the Mexborough Library mural and the River Lea Art Trail benches.

Compare all our mural and street art protection.