eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.
Showing 1-50 of 56 results
Murals are paintings done directly on a wall, ceiling, building or any other type permanent surface. Well-known muralists include Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Peter Max....
Particle board is not commonly used as a finish building material. Typically it is used for subfloors or under siding, or in cabinet and furniture construction where it's hidden or covered with...
Staining is a messy job under any circumstances. Staining a porch ceiling will be ever messier because there's no way you can prevent stain from raining down on you while you work. Ideally, the...
Stained glass windows can have a very positive effect on a church and those involved in church services. Although the beauty of the window should not be the focus of the service, the structure and...
Laminate cabinets are a fixture in suburban homes because they are easy to clean, inexpensive to build and are still pretty sturdy after a lot of wear and tear. If you want to add some color to...
How often do you look at your vinyl laminate shelves and think about how to change them? For many homeowners, those cabinets were a quick, simple solution to updating the bathroom or kitchen, but...
Whether you're painting over stained and varnished cabinets, trim, doors or furniture, the process is essentially the same. The smooth surface must be sanded and the wood primed or the paint won't...
Acrylic paint is a very versatile paint that can be used on many surfaces, such as canvas, fabric, paper and wood. Acrylic paint also is used in the making of crafts, fine arts, murals and faux...
MDF furniture can make a wonderful, cheap update for a home on a tight budget. But when it comes time for a new update, MDF can seem like a nightmare to paint. Between the slick surface of the...
Fiberglass doors are strong and durable, but they are not completely maintenance-free. Even the largest manufacturer states that their finish needs to be re-done every 2 to 3 years, so if you need...
Painted furniture pieces are popular now, appearing in the pages of most furniture catalogs. The great thing about using painted furniture in your home is that you can use hand me downs, flea...
Thermofoil cabinets can be an easy, painless way to update your kitchen. With no mess, no paint and limited signs of imperfections, they're a great way to add some new color quickly. But when you...
Those PVC cabinets make life very easy. They can take some serious abuse from day to day, and they're a breeze to clean when they get filthy. But trying to update them with a little paint can be...
Kitchens always need a fresh update after a few years. A great place to start is those tired-looking laminate cabinets. Laminate cabinets, in an active kitchen, can easily fall prey to difficult...
Gold leaf adds a rich textural detail for artist paintings. There are two basic strategies for applying gold leaf on an artist canvas. The first strategy is to size and leaf the entire canvas as...
Every kitchen needs an update from time to time. That wood laminate may have looked fresh five years ago, but tastes change. You don't need to get new cabinets when you want a new look. Updating...
Painting a staircase can improve the look of both the staircase and rooms with a view of the staircase. When painting an existing staircase, you'll need to remove the existing paint and finish. If...
Some faux finishes call for a varnish to protect the surface, and varnishing over dull paint can brighten it and add shine. Varnish can be used over latex paint if you use the right kind; however,...
There are several types of finishes available for wood. A few finishes that you can choose from are clear stains, solid stains, paint, natural finishes and varnishes. The choice of finish is based...
Most varnish can be used over latex paint, and there are times when it's a good decision to do so, like evening out the sheen over a faux finish or adding an antiqued look to painted walls, trim...
Infrared heat lamps are used in many industrial shops to quickly cure varnish and paints as well as to melt powdered varnish on certain types of items. Infrared lamps are not as common in...
Artists use coats of varnish to protect their oil paintings. The type of varnish used in earlier times decayed over the years, often leaving antique oil paintings looking yellow, cracked, gummy or...
How to Clean Varnish From Canvas Paintings
Cleaning varnish from a canvas painting beings by dusting off any dirt or debris, then applying a varnish remover with a Q-tip, and finally using a neutralizer to stop the remover from working....
Dust, debris and stains can darken and dirty an oil painting over time. The once attractive painting becomes dull and drab, making it more of a flaw in your decorating than an attractive addition...
Oil paintings often become dull and soiled, especially older oil paintings on canvas. This can occur when paintings are stored in a dusty attic or a room that isn't temperature controlled....
Paintings get dirty just like anything else, and need to be cleaned every so often. Depending on the paint that was used to create the paintings, there are different methods for cleaning them....
Art restoration experts Cher Goodson and James Hamm offer a good deal of cautionary advice on varnish removal. Hamm advises against removing varnish on "young" paintings---those that are less than...
Oil Painting Restoration & Cleaning
Restoring and cleaning an oil painting involves using an emulsion cleaner and a varnish remover to gently eliminate dust and dirt. Restore and clean an oil painting with tips from an artist in...
Oil Pastel Preservation
Preserving oil pastels is similar to preserving oil paintings with the use of a varnish to protect the surface of the paint. Preserve oil pastels with tips from an artist in this free video on...
How to Seal Oil Pastels
Sealing oil pastels is done with a varnish that is applied six weeks after the work is completed. Seal oil pastels with tips from an artist in this free video on painting.
Cleaning Oil on Canvas Paintings
Cleaning oil on canvas paintings requires using an emulsion cleaner, a varnish remover and Q-tips to gently remove accumulated dust and dirt. Clean oil on canvas paintings with tips from an artist...
Varnishing Oil Paintings
Varnishing oil paintings is important to seal and protect the painting's surface. Varnish an oil painting with tips from a professional artist in this free video on painting.
Personalizing your own helmet with airbrush paint and stencils is a great way to add some color and uniqueness to your gear. Depending upon the style and pattern of the airbrushing you want to do,...
Keeping the surface of the painting clean is important for the health of the painting. You want to keep dirt, dust and any other grime that accumulates over time from building up on the painting....
Landscape painting provides a variety of subject matter and affords beginning and seasoned artists alike with enough inspiration to create masterpieces. Acrylic paints are excellent for creating...
Do you think painting with oil paints on canvas sounds like something only for professional artists? Beginners need not shy away from this classic medium. Anyone can accomplish using oil paints on...
Oil paintings that have gathered smoke stains, pet hair or dirt can make a painting look older than it is. It also adds to what appears to be discoloration. Cleaning an oil painting yourself can...
By taking good care of oil paintings and cleaning them, you can ensure they'll be enjoyed by your descendants long after you're gone. However, by rushing through the cleaning process and not using...
Oil paintings are naturally fragile items. Restoration of these objects is a painstaking process which can easily result in ruin rather than redemption. That said, learning to restore oil...
Over time, the varnish that some artists use to protect the surface of an oil painting can deteriorate. It may crack, whiten or yellow. In the case of yellowing, the discoloration obscures the...
Over time, a beautiful art collection can lose some of its visual impact due to dust, cobwebs, dirt, water stains and other wear and tear. Fortunately, there are a few strategies for cleaning...
Art Materials for Painting
Art materials for painting include some form of ground or painting surface, mediums, such as linseed oil or varnish, brushes of various sizes and shapes, and paint pigments. Gather all of the...
Varnishing Oil Paintings
Varnish is used on an oil painting to protect it from environmental pollution, cigarette smoke and to even out matte and glossy areas. Apply varnish on an oil painting in a well-ventilated area...
This article will explain appropriate methods of applying varnish to oil paintings, whether to use the spray apply method or the original brush on technique. Both are effective, but must be...
Painting folk art designs onto wooden surfaces is not as hard as it might seem. Different surfaces require different preparations and finishes. I will explain how to work with wood surfaces.
Oil paintings need maintaining so they remain as good as new. Since most oil paintings are displayed without a glass cover, they will gather a lot of dust particles and eventually look dingy. One...
Perhaps you have found a beautiful oil painting, but it's old and in need of some deep cleaning. From surface dirt to varnish, there are different ways to clean your painting until it shines so...
An oil painting that is slightly dirty can be restored easily. An oil painting that is very dirty, has yellowed varnish or missing paint is more of a challenge. An oil painting that needs a lot of...
A coating of varnish can add luster and depth to a painting while protecting its original oil-based paint. By covering your oil painting in varnish, you will allow the viewer to experience the...
How to Use Varnishing in Painting
Artists need to use varnish when they paint. Learn advanced painting techniques and tips with these video art lessons.