I Tested And Reviewed 8 Best Clear Coat For Acrylic Paint (2023)

I am absolutely in love with this product. The high gloss shine it provides is incredible. Not only is it super easy to work with, but it also self-levels, making the application process a breeze. I pour it onto my canvas from the top, allowing it to cascade down while I rotate and sift the canvas to evenly distribute the product. Once it's covered, I place the canvas in a bin at a 45-degree angle for a couple of minutes and then lay it flat overnight. The result? Deeper and more vibrant colors, with a clear and high gloss top coat. It's truly magical.

I must admit, my first experience with this product was a bit frustrating. However, after figuring out the right technique, I have become a fan. As a pour painter, I realized that following the directions is crucial to avoid ending up with a thicker layer at the bottom. I personally use a decent quality paintbrush to pour the product and then quickly and lightly spread it to achieve an even finish. If done too slowly or with too much pressure, it may leave lines. But once you get the hang of it, it's truly amazing. I have so much confidence in this product that I feel like I could throw my paintings in the dishwasher and they would still survive. However, I would recommend practicing on something small before applying it to a favorite painting, as it can be a bit pricey.

I also discovered that this product is not just limited to art applications. I mixed it with a flat paint to achieve a semi-gloss finish for my bathroom walls, and it worked beautifully. I even used it to paint a door, and when mixed with glow-in-the-dark powder, it created an invisible glow effect that is only visible in the dark. I sealed the entire door with this product, using just a brush, and the result was fantastic.

In terms of its consistency, a little goes a long way due to its thick texture. So, you don't have to worry about using too much. Additionally, it's worth mentioning that no yellowing has been noticed with this product, which is a huge plus.

The Krylon gloss paint delivers on its promises of no runs and no drips, providing great coverage. Unlike cheaper options available at discount marts, this quality spray paint goes further due to its superior coverage. The paint and primer combination in the can makes painting tasks a breeze. I recently used it to paint a lamp post, and the result was a beautiful, glossy black finish. One thing to note is that this paint is thicker and dries more slowly compared to cheaper alternatives. However, this slower drying time is what allows for the excellent coverage and prevents drips. It's important to plan accordingly if multiple coats are required, as the can recommends waiting two hours between coats. That being said, the paint dries to the touch within 10 minutes or less. Overall, I highly recommend this Krylon paint for its quality and ease of use. It can be purchased from various sources, including Amazon, where I had a positive experience with fast and reliable delivery.

I recently purchased the Gloss fixative from Krylon, despite initially wanting a matte finish. Although the product needs to be rebranded, I found it to be of good quality. Surprisingly, the Gloss fixative actually provides a matte finish, while the Matte spray has more of a frosty appearance. I would not recommend using the Matte spray on paintings, but the Gloss fixative worked perfectly for my watercolor pieces and did not give them a glossy look.

A few months ago, I bought this fixative specifically to use on dried flowers from my peonies bush and bouquets. Living in New Jersey, finding a low humidity day during the summer is quite difficult. However, with the arrival of fall, I finally had the opportunity to try it out. I must emphasize that this product should only be used outdoors due to the strong fumes. Even with a little wind, I made sure to spray in a direction that would not blow the fumes towards me. The odor was quite strong, and I ended up wearing a mask (which is readily available due to COVID-19). Some of my flowers had already lost petals and were shedding more as I moved them outside to spray. However, I was able to secure loose bases and reattach fallen petals using a glue gun. The fixative did a great job of strengthening my dried flowers, as I did not encounter any further issues with breaking flowers or falling petals when arranging them into a fall bouquet. Overall, I consider this fixative a winner for this particular task. I used the gloss version for my project.

Recently, I turned a piece of tree into a birdhouse. As you can see from the image, the surfaces are quite irregular. To protect the birdhouse from the elements, I applied two coats of Krylon Clear Aerosol. The spray went on evenly, reaching even the smallest nooks and crannies, and dried quickly. It created an additional protective coating, ensuring the birdhouse can withstand outdoor conditions. Moreover, the clear aerosol provided a lovely sheen to the entire birdhouse. I am extremely satisfied with the product and its application.

As an artist, I have used the Krylon UV-Resistant Gloss many times and it has always been a great purchase. I recently completed a commissioned artwork and sealed it with this product. Not only does it offer UV-resistance, but it also protects the artwork from water damage. Additionally, it adds a transparent, glossy sheen to the finished piece. I highly recommend this product for artists and their projects.

The US ART SUPPLY Clear Gloss Topcoat Airbrush Paint is an excellent choice for achieving a high gloss finish on various projects. Whether you are using it for mirror chrome airbrush paint or sealing plastic products, this topcoat delivers fantastic results.

One of the best ways to use this topcoat is by brushing it on or dipping small objects. Airbrushing may not give you the desired outcome, so it's recommended to apply it generously and let it dry. The result is a glossy and hardened finish, similar to the factory shine on hot wheels.

Many users have found this topcoat to be perfect for their RC planes as well. It covers great, dries fast, and leaves a nice shine. The easy application process makes it convenient to use, even for beginners.

The quality of the US ART SUPPLY Clear Gloss Topcoat Airbrush Paint is highly satisfying. It effectively seals plastic products, providing durability and weather resistance. For those working with plastic creations, this topcoat offers reliable protection.

I recently tried Aleene's Gloss Sealer for my craft projects, specifically to seal my vinyl sticker prints. Overall, I found it to be a reliable and effective sealer with a few minor drawbacks.

One of the standout features of Aleene's Gloss Sealer is its ease of use. Unlike some other sealers, it is simple to work with and provides a smooth and even coat. I particularly appreciated how it fixed any bumps or uneven surfaces on my thin vinyl sticker paper, creating a flawless finish. The sealer dried quickly, allowing me to proceed with my projects without delay.

In terms of texture, Aleene's Gloss Sealer creates a slightly textured semi-gloss finish. While it may not offer a super slick gloss surface, the mist-like texture it provides is visually appealing and adds depth to the final result. However, it's worth noting that the texture can be felt with your fingers, as it is not as slick or smooth as some other sealers. This may or may not be a disadvantage, depending on your personal preference.

When comparing it to Krylon UV Resistant Gloss, I found Aleene's to be more suitable for thinner vinyl paper. Krylon, on the other hand, works best on thick and more expensive glossy vinyl. While Krylon creates an incredibly glossy and smooth finish on the right type of paper, it tends to cause curling and uneven textures on thinner materials. Aleene's, however, performs exceptionally well on thin vinyl, smoothing out any imperfections and providing an even coat.

One drawback of Aleene's Gloss Sealer is its strong smell. Even when using it outdoors with a breeze, the odor was noticeable to the point where my neighbor came to check on me. If you are sensitive to paint or chemical smells, I recommend using this sealer in a well-ventilated area or with a fan. Wearing a painter's mask with a filter may also be beneficial for those who are more sensitive.

The airbrush varnish works exceptionally well for various applications. It serves as a cost-effective alternative to Vallejo, providing excellent results for figurine making and miniature painting. It's important to note that some negative reviews may stem from a lack of understanding on how to properly use airbrush varnishes. One cannot brush it on, and if it pools, it can create a glossy finish, which is typical for most clear varnishes.

To achieve optimal results, thinning the varnish with a small amount of windex and spraying it at 25-30psi is recommended. It is also advised to maintain a distance of about a foot from the surface being sprayed, lightly misting it to prevent pooling. By following these steps, users can achieve a durable, matte sealer that provides a great finish.

In addition to figurine making and miniature painting, this varnish is also suitable for pottery painting before firing in the kiln. Its versatility makes it a valuable tool for various artistic endeavors.

Although some reviewers have not yet had the opportunity to try this varnish, they express high hopes and excitement for using it in their upcoming projects, such as model building.

I recently used this product in combination with their Matt black paint to restore the leather seats in my 13-year-old car. Even after months of daily use, the finish is still holding up well. The attached pictures showcase the initial damage, the area appearing dull after applying the Matt black paint, and finally coated with the finisher.

Additionally, I purchased this product to seal the paint on the bottom of my LV piping, which I had painted with angelus acrylic paints. The pictures clearly demonstrate how well the bottom of my purse turned out. It looks pretty nice. I had plenty of product left over, so I decided to spruce up some thrift store shoes that had edges coming undone. The pictures show the left shoe before and the right shoe after using the finisher. It's a great product for everyday repairs. The consistency is quite watery, but it wasn't a problem for me. I would definitely order it again.

I also used this finisher to complete the painting of my shoes, specifically for my first attempt at customizing Air Force Ones. I am extremely pleased with the results. The product worked well and provided a satisfactory finish.

Lastly, I used this finisher on a pair of leather trainers that my dog had chewed. I tried to repair them and match the color as closely as possible, but there is still a slight difference and a glossy appearance.

I have recently tried the Angelus 610 High Gloss Acrylic Finisher and I must say, it exceeded my expectations. The application process was smooth and easy. I used a makeup brush to apply the finisher and found that a little goes a long way. Initially, the finisher went on bubbly, but as I continued brushing it out, the bubbles thinned and eventually faded away. I took about 5 minutes to complete both of my shoes, and the end result was impressive.

One of the things that stood out to me was how fast the finisher dried. I used it on a thin leather jacket, applying it section by section with a regular sponge brush. The finisher dried quickly, without adding any rigidity or weight to the leather. It provided a beautiful shine that enhanced the overall look of the jacket. I was pleased with how little liquid was needed to achieve an even and smooth finish.

In addition to using the finisher on my shoes and jacket, I also used it to seal acrylic paint on a wallet I had designed. Previously, I had experienced some of the paint wearing off when I tried to polish the wallet. However, after applying the Angelus 610 High Gloss Acrylic Finisher, the paint remained intact. I was thrilled with the results.

I must mention that I love not only this finisher but also the other two finishers that Angelus offers. Angelus has truly impressed me with their high-quality products. If you are using their paint, I highly recommend using this finisher once you are finished. It effectively neutralizes any concerns of the paint rubbing off and ensures its longevity. I have found that with this finisher, the paint on my items lasts for months, saving me money in the long run.