Mod Podge vs Varnish

Characteristics of Mod podge

Mod Podge is known for its versatility. Mod Podge is great for collage and decoupage since it is valuable to glue things down and protect them (instead of a varnish). It comes in a range of finishes, including gloss, satin, and matte, and specialized finishes, including antique matte, super gloss, sparkle, and outdoor, designed to seal and protect items exposed to the outdoors.

Mod Podge comes as a milky white liquid that dries transparent in less than 10 minutes and may be applied with a brush or foam brush. It dissolves in water and wipes away easily with a moist cloth. You can also acquire Mod Podge in Sheer Hue, which gives your finished product a touch of shiny transparent color. Because the original Mod Podge is an AP-approved product. It is non-toxic and is suitable for children’s and adult craft projects.

Characteristics of varnish

A suitable varnish should possess the following characteristics 

1. It should be quick to dry.

2. After drying, the protective film should be strong, tough, long-lasting, and resistant to wear.

3. The finished surface should have a homogeneous appearance and be attractive to the eye.

4. It should have a glossy finish.

5. When it dries, it should not shrink or crack.

6. It must have adequate elasticity.

7. The varnish color must not fade over time.

When to use Mod podge instead of varnish?

Mod podge is valuable as an adhesive, a sealer, and a varnish. You can utilize Mod Podge as a varnish in various settings to create a beautiful effect that often outperforms expectations. Although most Mod Podge formulas do yellow over time, the yellowing impact is usually less than some specialty varnishes. Mod Podge is a brand with many different products and recipes. The main product is a sealer, which will “finish” a product the same way as a varnish coating. Mod Podge sealer is available in gloss, satin, and matte finishes, and it goes on with a whitish translucent hue that fades to a colorless finish when dry.

When to use varnish instead of mod podge?

Where Mod Podge struggles, use paint varnish and wood varnish that benefit from providing considerably superior long-term prevention against wear and tear, water, and UV light. Although Mod Podge has more adaptability, using a jack of all trades, a master of none, as a sealer for serious artwork or house décor can lead to problems in the future.

And this is why it’s always a good idea to spend a little more money on a suitable varnish for any tasks that are important to you and need to last as long as possible. If you’re a professional artist or performing large-scale home upgrades like painting your decking, you’ll probably get your money’s worth out of the varnish with minimal wastage.

One thing you should always do is to read the label of the varnish you intend to use. People frequently assume that you can apply all varnish products in the same way. Depending on the specific varnish, different products require varied application methods and layers.

Can you use Mod podge as varnish?

Mod Podge may be used as a varnish in various settings to create a beautiful effect that usually performs better than most people expect. Although most Mod Podge formulas do yellow over time, the yellowing impact is less than some specialty varnishes.

If you already possess Mod Podge in your arts and crafts supplies and want to keep your expenditures down, it can be an excellent sealing agent for any artwork displayed indoors and out of direct sunlight. However, if you’re seeking a varnish replacement for home decorating, such as your decking, Mod Podge isn’t a good choice.

Decking, for example, will be walked frequently and will be subjected to high levels of friction. Furthermore, most decking will be exposed to the elements, whether it is wind, rain, or shine; therefore, you should select a suitable wood varnish that may fulfill your requirements.

What is better, Mod podge or varnish?

You must know when to apply Mod Podge and when to use a varnish. Although you may get away with using Mod Podge for anything that you can keep indoors and out of the elements, there are times when a professional varnish will be a better alternative.

The real benefit of Mod Podge is that it is so inexpensive and adaptable that it is helpful for a wide range of arts and crafts projects where a standard varnish-based solution would fail. And this is why beginners, intermediates, and anyone on a budget love Mod Podge since it provides exceptional value for money.

If you’re trying to use Mod Podge as an acrylic paint sealant, it can work pretty well, but you should aim to apply a thin coating if feasible. When it comes to sealing their artwork with Mod Podge, beginners frequently make the error of using too much, which detracts from their work.

Even if you apply insufficient Mod Podge to your paint, you may always add another thin layer if necessary and go from there to attempt to avoid using too much. If you apply a heavy layer straight away, there is little you can do to rescue the painting.

Is Mod Podge necessary to seal acrylic paint?

Mod Podge Spray Acrylic Sealer, Dries Mod Podge is created explicitly for seal craft items. Non-yellowing, quick-drying, 12 ounce Gloss, and non-toxic, Crystal Clear is a great choice. Mod Podge is a flexible glue that can adhere cloth, paper, and other porous materials to any surface. You can use it as a sealer and cover acrylic paint, decoupage, stain, cloth, and various products. There is no pollution in the air. This finish is long-lasting, smooth, and quick to dry.

Is mod podge waterproof?

Outdoor Mod Podge is not weatherproof. It has a high level of water resistance. As a result, the explanation has to do with the product’s composition. Vinyl acetate is one of the elements in Mod Podge, which is a craft supply. The result is a product that is slightly water resistant but not waterproof.