When can you varnish?
A Cobra oil painting can be varnished after 9 to 12 months of drying. This adds an extra layer of protection against harmful external influences and keeps your painting in great condition for years to come.
Which finish should you choose?
Cobra offers three types of varnish: matte, satin and gloss. All are based on synthetic resin and odourless white spirit. The matte and satin versions also contain a matting agent to reduce shine.
Preparation: bring materials to the same temperature
Make sure both your painting and the varnish (spray can or bottle) have been in the same room for a few hours. This ensures they reach the same temperature, preventing condensation and a white haze from forming under the varnish.
How to apply the varnish
- Hold the spray can 30 to 40 cm away from your work.
- Start spraying outside the surface, then move over the painting.
- Don’t spray in one spot for too long.
- After use: hold the can upside down and spray until no more varnish comes out. This cleans the nozzle so you can reuse it.
The result
In the example shown in the video, you’ll see:
- Top left: unvarnished
- Top right: matte
- Bottom right: satin
- Bottom left: gloss
Other oil varnishes can also be used on Cobra paintings. Good to know: all varnishes are reversible, meaning they can be safely removed in the future.
