Why Artists Love Krylon Spray (and Why We’re Forever Restocking)
Author: The Art Shed Team Date Posted:7 July 2025
If you’ve legged it into Art Shed for Krylon Kamar Varnish only to meet an empty hook.. sorry! These cans dry crystal-clear, shrug off Aussie UV, and set in under half an hour. Below is your definitive guide to what each spray does, why artists swear by them, and a few cheeky Tips from the Shed to nail the perfect coat first go.
TL;DR
Crystal-clear coat that never yellows
Built-in UV “sunblock” (HALS + UVA)
Touch-dry in 10–15 minutes
Clings to canvas, paper, timber, metal, plastic & even sneakers
No wonder it’s our #1 spray range
What Makes Krylon Special?
Krylon sprays are superhero top-coats: they dry crystal-clear and never yellow, pack serious UV protection (the UV-Archival line is loaded with HALS + UVA blockers), and hit touch-dry in about 15 minutes so you can handle or re-coat within two hours. Better still, one can clings to almost anything — canvas, wood, metal, plastic, glass, fabric, even shoes — so mixed-media makers don’t need a different product for every surface.
Tips From The Shed: warm the can in tap-hot water for two minutes before spraying — smoother fan, fewer speckles.
Explore the Krylon Line-up (and what each can is for)
UV-Archival Varnish (Gloss) (1)
For: locking finished work against dirt, fade and moisture. Uses HALS + UVA for maximum UV defence, yet stays removable for future conservation. Touch-dry in 10 – 15 min; handle after 2 h.
UV-Archival Varnish (Matte) (2)
For: locking finished work against dirt, fade and moisture. Uses HALS + UVA for maximum UV defence, yet stays removable for future conservation. Touch-dry in 10 – 15 min; handle after 2 h.
Triple-Thick Crystal-Clear Glaze (3)
For: ultra-high-gloss protection and a one-pass “glass” finish on ceramics, wood furniture, collages, papier-mâché, dried flowers and more. One coat = three coats of ordinary clear, and the flexible film won’t crack.
For: traditional final varnish without traditional yellowing. Synthetic acrylic resin protects oil, acrylic, watercolour and alcohol-ink art from dirt, fade and colour-shift. Touch-dry 15 min; fully dry 2 h (covers 15 – 20 sq ft per can).
For: protecting pencil, pastel and chalk drawings from smudge while keeping the surface “grabby” so you can layer more colour later. Acid-free, archival, 15 – 20 sq ft coverage.
Fine-Art Fixatif (6)
For: invisible, non-darkening shield on pastel, charcoal, pencil and chalk. Adds UV absorbers, so fragile dry-media art resists both smudge and fade.
For: priming tricky shapes fast. A smooth, brush-stroke-free base coat for canvas, wood, wicker, plastic and more (covers 15 – 20 sq ft).
For: scrapbooking and collage. Acid-free, clear-drying, non-wrinkling bond for lightweight items (paper, tissue, photos) onto heavier surfaces like wood or ceramics. Dry to touch ≈ 30 min; fully handleable in 3 h.
Easy-Tack Repositionable Adhesive (9)
For: foam-core mounts, photo layouts and any craft that needs a second chance. Sprays on tacky, lets you lift and shift without tearing. Acid-free, low-odour, perfect for bonding lightweight materials before the “commitment stage.”
Tips From The Shed: “Sealer vs Varnish & Picking Your Sheen”
Think of sealer as the primer/under-coat that soaks in and locks down porous surfaces, while varnish is the top-coat that protects (and often beautifies) what’s already there.
When it comes to sheen, here’s the bite-size rundown we give customers:
Gloss – amps up colour vibrancy and depth but can throw glare in bright lighting.
Matte – kills reflections and has a “gallery-pro” vibe, yet flattens colours a touch.
Satin – Goldilocks zone: a subtle sheen that keeps colours lively without mirror shine.
Bottom line: it’s really up to personal preference—let your display lighting, glare tolerance, and desired colour punch guide the final choice.
Why Artists Keep Clearing Our Shelves
Stays crystal clear — no milky haze, no amber creep.
Touch-dry in 10–15 min — finish multiple pieces in one session.
Museum-grade UV muscle in the UV-Archival cans.
One can, many surfaces — canvas, timber, metal, plastic, glass, fabric.
Zero brush strokes on delicate watercolours & glossy photo prints.
Tech Specs at a Glance
Can sizes: 311 g (varnish/fixative) • 340 g (Triple-Thick) • 290 g (Easy-Tack)
Dry-to-touch: 10 – 15 min • Handle: ~2 h
Finishes: Gloss, Satin, Matte, Ultra-Gloss (Triple-Thick)
Suggested Product Pairings (and how to use ’em like a pro)
IY Spray Booth = Old Carton + UNi-PRO Plastic Protection Sheet
Grab a clean cardboard box, stand it upright, and trim off the front flap so three walls surround your art. Now line the base and inner walls with a sheet of UNi-PRO Light-Weight Plastic Protection Sheet (tape it smooth—no wrinkles). The plastic stops aerosol bounce-back dust, catches drips you can peel off later, and turns the humble carton into a lint-free, overspray-proof mini booth that folds flat for next time. Place the same sheet under the box to protect your table, pop the artwork inside, and spray away—fluff, pet hair and rogue varnish mist stay out of your glossy finish.
Lazy-Susan Turntable (keep the art spinning, not your wrist)
Sit canvases, skate decks—or even a pair of sneakers—flat on a sturdy turntable. Start spraying in one spot and gently rotate the platform with your free hand. The can stays at a perfect 20 cm distance, so every pass overlaps evenly and drips are history.
Mont Marte Universal Gesso (prime once, thank yourself forever)
Before any paint hits raw timber, MDF or un-primed canvas, swipe on two thin coats of gesso, first horizontal, second vertical. It seals pores, stops thirsty fibres stealing your Krylon, and levels tiny grain so your clear coat stays glass-smooth. Lightly sand between coats for a buttery surface inks will love.
Dust And Spray Mask (good airflow is great, healthy lungs are better)
Even with doors open, aerosol solvents linger at face height. Snap on a P2 mask with carbon filters; it traps both fine overspray and the aromatic acetone fumes. Comfort straps mean you’ll actually leave it on for the full session—no mid-varnish coughing fits, just crystal-clear coats and clear airways.
Real Reviews From Happy Artists
“It’s fantastic! I use it on my polymer clay creations."
“Excellent product. Very happy with results and I wouldn’t use any other . Worth the cost."
“I use this product for stencils on furniture. It is great to work with & rarely pulls off the paint. Couldn't purchase it for some time & tried 2 alternatives which were just not the same."
Why Buy Krylon from Art Shed?
Aussie family-owned & artist-run – paint-splattered crew at your service.
Fast dispatch from Melbourne & Brisbane.
Candy Club rewards – points, perks.
Shipping calculated at checkout – packed safely
30-day “no-worries” returns.
Real artist hotline – nerd out about pigment or products anytime.
FAQs
Is Krylon permanent?
Yes — once fully cured it forms a durable, non-yellowing acrylic film.
How long does Krylon last?
With proper prep, the protective film lasts many years; UV-Archival extends fade-free life even in full sun.
Is Krylon acrylic or enamel?
The art-grade sprays are acrylic-resin based.
Does Krylon bond to plastic?
Yep — clean, lightly scuff, then spray light coats for best grip.
Does Krylon stop rust?
It seals out moisture on clean metal, slowing rust formation (not a rust-converter).
Will Krylon stick to glass?
Yes — a light mist first, let it tack, then build coverage.
Tips from the Shed
Warm the can (lukewarm water, 2 min), rotate your artwork on a Lazy-Susan, lock colour with a light mist, add a wet coat after two hours, remember the edges for moisture defence.
Ready to Seal the Deal?
Krylon cans disappear quickly, especially UV-Archival Gloss and Kamar Varnish, so hit add to cart or drop into our Moorabbin store for a live demo (and that nostalgic acetone scent). Your colours — and future you — will thank you!