We all want everything done quick and easy,Β Fusionβ’ Mineral Paint is pretty well as perfect as you can get for quick and easy!Β Fusionβ’ Mineral Paint offers exceptional adhesion and durability, however, I always say you get what you put into itβ¦and in this case, theΒ correct fusion prep for your projectΒ is no exception!
As an entrepreneur running not only a paint company, but also a paint store for 10 years I have learned a thing or two about how to have a thorough 5 minute consultation with my clients to ensure that they get all of the necessaryΒ tipsΒ on how to tackle their project.
Itβs always a good idea to educate ourselves and understand how paint works, and here is where I start with my preaching of a good 4 letter wordβ¦Β PREP!
Here is prep guide to help you paint your desired surface.
Your surface plays a direct role to the finish of your project. The paint is only as stable as your substrate (the current surface you wish to paint). If your project is glossy, previously coated with a lacquer, or potentially has a wax finish on it, you simply must prep your piece for guaranteed results, there is just no cutting corners for a flawless perfect finish!
As a professional in the industry, I know that unless I take the proper measures for prep these types of surfaces will be problematic regardless of the paint I use, unless I opt to go with a toxic paint. More on chemical sensitivities laterβ¦for now back to PREP.
A little prep goes a long wayβ¦
Lightly sand and de-gloss the surface.
By sanding you are essentially breaking open the surface. This will allow for lots of microscopic holes for the 100% acrylic Fusionβ’ Mineral Paint to bind/ grip on to. This doesnβt mean that it will take you all day of sanding, no just a simple 220 grit and a gentle rub along the surface to de-gloss.
Have a Waxy surface?
Wax acts like a resist, meaning anything applied over top of the wax will not want to adhere. You must remove wax prior to painting with any paint. To remove wax you will need to use a Mineral Spirit of some kind. OurΒ Odourless SolventΒ is easy to use and removes waxes and de-greases.
Tip β It also cleans the wax out of your brushes!!
Remove excess dirt or Dust
If you leave on excess dust and dirt, you will paint over it and trap it in leaving a surface with imperfections.
Once you are satisfied that you have given a light sanding to scuff the surface, removed any pre-existing wax, and have a clean stable dust free surface you are set to get painting! This process should only take a few minutes, however it will guarantee your results 100% !
Are you working on bare new wood?
When youβre working on a raw porous surface, the paint will soak in much more, and you will use more paint, that is why in most cases it is recommended to add a primer to seal up your wood. We have a wonderful product calledΒ Transition, itβs made fromΒ recycled pigments from our waste water, and makes a paint that is still the same quality as the colours we have, however is half the price because we are harvesting what would have otherwise been waste! It is calledΒ TransitionΒ because it is often recommended when changing from one drastic colour to another, however, in this case on bare wood would help to fill in the pores of the wood so your paint doesnβt soak in. It comes in a light neutral gray colour.
Want to seal in knots?
You must use a Shellac based primer, that is typically the only thing that will prevent the knots from bleeding through any paint.
Why & When do I need to use theΒ Ultra Gripβ’?
Surfaces such as laminate, IKEA pieces or high gloss lacquer are next to impossible to paint with any paint. Donβt worry we have the exact remedy! Fusionβ’Β Ultra Gripβ’Β is a super adherent primer, made up of 100% pure acrylic resin.
I thought that Fusionβ’ was 100% Acrylic? How is Ultra Gripβ’ different?
Let me explain the recipe of a paint.
In all paints there is a:
Binder (100% Acrylic Resin)
Pigments (Minerals in Fusion)
Solvent (Water)
All of those different ingredients combined make up a paint, so the 100% acrylic resin in the paint is a portion in the recipe.
If you useΒ Ultra Gripβ’, the entire recipe is 100% acrylic resin, therefore will have increased adhesion for particularly difficult surfaces such as laminate, metal, lacquer or glass!
It is the 100% acrylic resin that creates that super strong adhesion/bond/fusion to the surface.
Simply Prep your piece, and apply 1 coat ofΒ Ultra GripΒ and let dry for 12 hours, then continue with your Fusionβ’ Mineral Paint!
How is Fusionβ’ Mineral Paint acrylic different than another companies 100% acrylic?
Fusionβ’ Mineral Paint is uniquely formulated with a proprietary 100% acrylic resin. There are many grades of acrylic, ours is the highest grade, industrial acrylic resin available on the market.
Our philosophy is do it right the first time, and that goes for all of our ingredients. Our unique resin is a very expensive ingredient in our formulation, most competitors do not use a 100% acrylic resin, however they use less expensive latex and vinyl- which are quite toxic and do not have the same adhesion or long term durability of Fusionβ’ Mineral Paint.
We quite simply do not cut corners, we use only the best ingredients to give you the best results.
NoΒ Top Coat Required!
For most of your projects you will not need a top coat. However for certain projects that are high traffic, (Kitchen Cabinets or Table Tops) adding another layer will increase the durability. The more layers you add, with the proper curing time, the harder it will be to cause damage to your surface.
If you do not use a top coat, you can simply wash your Fusionβ’ Mineral Paint if any marks occur. And you can always do small touch-ups if ever needed down the road.
The 100% acrylic results in a built-in top coat as it creates a cohesive surface that is waterproof once cured. Therefore thereβs no top coat is required for water permanency and everyday handling. It will not embrittle or crack over time and it maintains excellent durability bound to stand the test of time.
Tough Coatβ’, is a 100% Acrylic clear, non yellowing hard top coat that dries to a semi gloss finish. It is specifically formulated for your table tops and your kitchen cabinets as they get the most wear and tear.
Beeswax FinishΒ is a natural wax that is food safe and a fabulous top coat for surfaces on which you would like to add sheen. I love the feel that the wax gives to a piece, it really adds smoothness and increased sheen.
Happy Paintingβ¦until next time!
