Paint Mediums, Primers, Finishes, and Tools Used by Decorative Painters

Using only leftover firewood from his cooking fire andcan be machine-washed.
the red yellow substance he found in the dirt floor ofAcrylic Paint Thickener
his Altamira cave dwelling, Paleolithic man painted bisonWood graining, marbling, and combing require a thicker
on the cave wall to such a relatively high level ofconsistency of the paint, and this is where acrylic paint
sophistication that had Picasso gasping "After Altamira,thickeners come in.
all is decadence." Picasso must have meant that theFlat Latex Primer
use by the cave dwellers of crude charcoal andPrimers are used to seal porous surfaces so that the
hematite as their paint, and the cave wall as theirpaint will spread well without soaking in, resulting in
canvas to express their innermost fears, doubts, andfewer coats of paint. Primers also help adhesion. If
joy is an art form so primal and pure it could neveryou're working with an unfinished wallboard or one
again be duplicated.which has been previously painted, you need this
All the modern decorative painter might probably wantprimer.
to do is to come up with faux verdigris finish for theLatex Enamel Undercoat
cheap metal wall art he came across a thrift shop inThis is used for priming most unfinished woods or ones
Messina to complement the discount wall décorthat have been previously painted or stained. This is
he picked up in a flea market in Milan, and not competenot used for plywood, redwood, nor cedar.
with Altamira for raves (the bison were remarkablyRust-Inhibiting Latex Metal Primer
life-like, and employed an early version of chiaroscuro,Allows water-based paint to be used on metal without
a technique thought to have developed only in thecausing the metal to rust.
Renaissance). For this task, the modern decorativePolyvinyl Acrylic Primer
painter has far superior materials to work with.This is used in painting plaster or unglazed pottery
Here's a list of materials other than paint that thewhere a smooth finish is desired.
modern decorative painter has at his disposal:Stain-Killing Primer
Latex Paint ConditionerIt was mentioned that latex enamel undercoat must
Originally developed for use in latex spray painting,not be used on plywood, redwood, and cedar. For this
latex paint conditioners are also used in making painttypes of wood, stain-killing primer is used. This is also
glaze for faux finishes. The resulting mixture is lighterused to prime glossy surfaces like glazed pottery and
and produces a translucent paint finish that's withoutceramic, doing away with the need to degloss. This is
the overlapping look. It may be used with latex oralso used to seal stains like ink or grease.
acrylic paint.Clear Finish
Acrylic Paint ExtenderAfter painting, painted surfaces are often given a final
Have you ever wondered how faux marble gets itsfinishing coat for durability and scratch- resistance.
characteristic veins? Well, the veins are "painted" usingClear finishes like urethanes and acrylics may be used.
feathers, but it's acrylic paint extender that thins theAerosol Clear Acrylic Sealer
acrylic paint and gives it its translucence to make theThis is used to protect the painted surface, and is
veining possible.available in matte or gloss. The gloss version adds
Textile Mediumsheen to the final finish. Imagine Use only the kind that
Textile medium allows acrylic paint to seep into thedo not have harmful fluorocarbons or methylene
fabric fibers, resulting in permanent painted designs thatchloride.