The Decoupage Pouring Method
Decoupage is a method of decoration that involves pasting paper cutouts, photographs or other thin items to a solid surface, often furniture. There are many methods for applying decoupage. One of these is the pour method, in which the images are protected by pouring on a clear sealer. This is often the best method if an item has a small lip to contain the sealer and the decoupaged item will be under heavy use.
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Leveling
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When using a pouring method for decoupage, the item you are decoupaging must be smooth and level. Sand the item thoroughly before adding your images. When you are preparing the item for the decoupage coating, put it on a sturdy surface and use a small bubble-style level to ensure that the item is level. If the item is uneven, the poured decoupage coating will be uneven too.
Epoxy
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Two-part epoxy is typically the sealer used for pour-on decoupage, though you can use other sealers, such as a varnish. When you mix the epoxy resin and hardener together, you start a chemical reaction that causes the resin to harden into a plastic. Different epoxies require different ratios of resin to hardener as well as different pot lifes -- the time you have to mix and pour the epoxy before it begins to harden and becomes unworkable. Be sure to use pouring epoxy; there are many different types, all with different characteristics.
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Bubbles
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Bubbles form in epoxy, and bubbles can obscure your decoupaged images. When epoxy is used in a mold, you can tap the mold to make bubbles rise to the surface, but you must use a different method with decoupage. Carefully pour the epoxy from about a foot above the surface of your work, which will help the bubbles break as the epoxy coats the decoupage. The heat generated from curing epoxy will cause bubbles to rise to the surface, where you can pop them with a pin. If the bubbles do not rise fast enough, you can help them rise by heating the area with a blowdryer.
Controlling Temperature
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The chemical reaction that turns epoxy into a plastic generates a lot of heat, which can harm your images and the item you are decoupaging. You can control the heat with fans. However, if the epoxy becomes cold, it will not cure and will remain a liquid or become sticky. The ideal temperature for epoxy is around 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Higher temperatures will cure the epoxy faster, but this can cause problems, as well.
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References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
