Decoupaging on Wooden Furniture

How to Adhere Your Images

Thanks again for all your advice! I am about to embark on a project decoupaging old comics on chairs - would I need to sand the chairs before I start sticking so that the comics have something to gel to or shall I stick them straight on to the surface and would a water based varnish be ok to use over the top.

I look forward to hearing from you again - should be my last question now - sorry to keep bothering you!!!!

Regards,

Kate

No bother Kate! In fact your timing couldn't be better.

I am just wrapping up a guide to decoupage for Barnes and Noble, so have been doing nothing but decoupage myself the last few weeks.

I've got several decoupage projects in process to test and compare different media and I've been doing a lot of technical research. So to your question ...

I almost always use copies for decoupage images. Not only does this preserve the originals, but it gives me a fall back in ase something goes wrong. You can always make another copy.

Plus plain old copier paper is the perfect weight and composition for decoupage.

With vintage comics, there is yet another reason to use copies. Since there is ink on both sides, you may get show through of the back images that will spoil the whole look.

Either laser or inkjet copies are fine.

Seal the copied images with two or three coats of Krylon Crystal Clear Varnish to prevent ink bleed.

Inkjet copies are especially susceptible to ink bleed.

As for sanding, the surface needs to be smooth and dust free.

Wood, which is a porous material, has plenty of tooth for the glue to grab even at its smoothest.

Water-based media are preferred for many reasons. They are safer and generally compatible with each other.

They are non-toxic, contain no volatile solvents, and are non-flammable.

If the chairs will be just for display, you don't need anything more than two or three coats of Mod Podge.

If people will actually sit on the chairs, you'll need a stronger finish than any water-based one provides.

I recommend two coats of Golden MSA Varnish. MSA is a mineral spirit acrylic-borne resin formulation and contains ultraviolet light stabilizers to protect your chairs from fading in the sun.

MSA Varnish forms a tougher, less permeable film than waterborne acrylic emulsion varnishes. It is easier to apply since the mineral emulsion self levels and inhibits foam and pinhole formation. Be sure to follow label directions as to safety precautions.

Finally, because you will be mixing oil and water media, allow a week for the Mod Podge to cure before varnishing.

Here is a list of all decoupage related articles on The Artful Crafter.