Just like gesso is used prior to painting a canvas, the matte medium is designed to seal it after its painted. Primarily to prevent light from fading the colors but I dont see why it couldnt offer at least a degree of protection from the occasional bumping. If you bump it say, with the sharp end of a piece of rail, because your putting it on the benchwork and oops you hit the backdrop, not much is going to keep it from getting scratched. Its like parking in a parking lot with your new car, eventually the inevitable is going to happen
A little note on Matte Medium as an aside.
I have it for my lake on my layout and I have found that if you accidently leave items on top of it, it tends to dent. (And don't ask me how I know that.) Eventually I will use some of the mentioned sealer to protect it as stated in the instructions.
Yes, damaging the backdrop happens. Count me in for also touching it up.
You might want to consider covering it with garbage bags that you cut along the sides and then secure with tame.
Mod Podge.. Of course.. Should have thought of that right away. Thanks Kevin.
Andy
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Milwaukee native modeling the Milwaukee Road in 1950's Milwaukee.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/196857529@N03/
wjstixMatte medium was actually designed for artists to use as a protective coating on their completed paintings.
Matte Medium, or a coat of Wallpaper Paste, both have worked very well for me.
I would imagine that Decoupage Sealer would also work very well. Maybe it is available in a spray can.
Yes, it is available in a spray:
-Kevin
Living the dream.
wjstix Although we use it for different things in model railroading (like securing scenery or ballast down), matte medium was actually designed for artists to use as a protective coating on their completed paintings.
Although we use it for different things in model railroading (like securing scenery or ballast down), matte medium was actually designed for artists to use as a protective coating on their completed paintings.
How interesting! I will have to look into that. And Rich is right; once I put it (varnish, matte medium, or other) on its meant to be permanent. I have no plans to remove it.
rrebell richhotrain From what I read, you are supposed to use polymer varnish to protect acrylic latex paintings. Rich Depends. There are many types some removable, some not.
richhotrain From what I read, you are supposed to use polymer varnish to protect acrylic latex paintings. Rich
From what I read, you are supposed to use polymer varnish to protect acrylic latex paintings.
Rich
Depends. There are many types some removable, some not.
Alton Junction
Ok, appreciate the advice! I've done that before so I will just try to be more careful going forward.
If anyone has info on spray protectant for the photo portion of a backdrop I'd still be interested
With a painted backdrop it is best to just touch it up.
I painted my backdrop on masonite that was first primed a couple times. I used acrylic latex paint and in the 2 years since I finished the backdrop I've managed to scrape it up in a few places while working on other things. I thought I had read in a thread that there is a spray that can be applied that provides a protective coating to the surface. Anyone have suggestions?
I know there are sprays to protect photo paper backdrops, just not sure about painted ones? My final product will be a combination of painted and photo backdrops.
Thanks