After I found my perfect paint pen for rocks (which did not blur when sealed), I received a blog post comment which suggested "applying a layer of Elmer's Glue on the Sharpie Art, allowing to dry, before applying spray sealant."
I decided to try this out for myself but instead of using a spray sealer, I used two of my preferred brush-on sealers.
My first test used a Sharpie ultra fine point black permanent marker. I printed the words "Sharpie test" on my stone and followed it with a thin coat of white glue. After the glue dried, I applied a thin coat of Delta Ceramcoat brush-on sealer.
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| White glue applied over a Sharpie marker before Delta Ceramcoat sealer |
For my second test, I used colored Sharpie permanent markers and drew a simple design on a pitted stone. Once again, a first coat of white glue was thinly brushed over the design. Then after the glue dried, I used Americana Duraclear brush-on sealer.
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| White glue applied over Sharpie markers before Duraclear Satin Varnish |
I'm happy to report that white glue (e.g., Elmer's) used over Sharpie permanent marker pens did indeed prevent blurs when applied prior to both formulas of my clear sealers. (Note: I used this trick on small stones and cannot say how well it works with large painted rocks.)
Give this tip a try for yourself and let me know what you think.
© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks
Thanks for doing the rock bottom basics for us ;-] I suppose you would have to make sure those rocks don't go outside and get wet.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Bon. If the rocks had a couple coats of sealer, I think they could go outside. But weather is harsh and eventually more sealer would have to be applied. Maybe testing the glue/sealer combo is an experiment you or I should try. :-)
DeleteA coat of Mod Podge works as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip, Sherry. Mod Podge has occasionally turned certain of my Sharpies an orange color and has been unpredictable for me.
DeleteI have had the Mod Podge smear the sharpies, tried the glue and turned out great.
DeleteThanks for letting me know the glue worked for you.
DeleteWant to get started. Where do I buy or get rocks
ReplyDeleteIf you're close to a river, check along the riverbeds. Take a walk and look at the ground. If you're in an area without a lot of rocks in the environment, check out a landscaping supply store or home improvement store. You can purchase rocks online from Amazon. Here's my blog post with a bit more info about where to find rocks: http://paintingrocks.blogspot.com/2014/06/where-can-i-find-rocks-for-painting.html
DeleteThe same happens to me also.
DeleteThank you for all these wonderful tips. I am a newbie to rock painting and really enjoy reading all this great stuff. BTW I found my first rock today!!! It was a smiley face done with a ballpoint pen. Maybe a child did it with moms pen, or someone rushing to work quickly left a smile for someone (me),or who knows who it was. It sure put a smile on my face. Simple but love it.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the fun world of rock painting, Bobbie. I'm happy to hear you appreciate the tips I share. I've been painting rocks since 2007 and like to share what has worked for me.
DeleteDo you need to seal the rock with something before writing or painting with sharpies?
ReplyDeleteI did not seal the rocks I used for this experiment with anything before writing on them with the pens. In general, the smoother the rock, the easier it will be to write onto. I do not paint my rocks with pens so I can't answer if it's necessary to pre-seal a rock when the entire thing is covered by a paint pen.
DeleteHello Cindy
DeleteMy daughter used clear nail polish to seal hers. Brushes smoothly and dry fast. Thank you for your idea I will pass it on to her..
Hi Amber. Thanks for letting me know clear nail polish works for your daughter. Anything that doesn't smear the design is a good choice.
Deletethanks for all these wonderful tips i am a newbie to rock painting and appreciate your tips and ideas. I have (lol) had several disasters thus far, so again thanks
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Naomi. Thanks for letting me know you appreciate the tips and ideas. Consider your disasters learning experiences. Many of my tips are the result of experimentation.
DeleteI have the posca paint pens and love them. But wish they had even thinner ones. I tried a real thin oil based ones and it smeared when I applied the sealer. What's the best sealer for oil based?
ReplyDeleteI wrote a blog post about a Sharpie oil-based paint pen which I sealed with no problem using Delta Ceramcoat brush-on sealer.
Deletehttp://paintingrocks.blogspot.com/2013/06/rock-painting-tip-use-paint-pens.html
Since the time of that blog post, I believe Delta has changed the formula of that particular sealer. So, I cannot give you good advice about the best sealer for oil-based paint pens other than to experiment for yourself. I wish I had a better answer for you. In my experience, sometimes the pens smear and sometimes they don't no matter what type of sealer I've used.
I just wanted to let you know that The Elmer's brand Painters sold at Walmart & Hobby Lobby have Ultra Fine tips now. My local store carries them in black, white, silver & gold. They work exceptionally well for detailing & are definitely smaller points than the fine. Good read..thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for commenting, Shawna. I've been wanting a white pen for detailing and these sound perfect!
DeleteI tried painting my first rock. I spray painted the entire rock with acrylic paint. Then I used oil based markers/pens to write on it. I let it dry for at least 12 hours. Then I tried to seal with modern odge our door sealer. My rainbow totally ran. I had read directions online and followed the instructions that I now realize did not work. Is there a spray sealer for outdoor that would work?
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear your artwork blurred when you applied a sealer, Kathy. Markers and pens are notorious for doing that. Your comment doesn't mention if you applied white glue over the markers before sealing the rock. In my experiment described in this post, that's what worked for me. I don't use spray sealers much and the majority of my rocks stay indoors so I can't advise you on a spray sealer for outdoor rocks. I would suggest visiting a home improvement store for sealer advice since many of their products are meant for an outdoor environment.
DeleteCindy, I also painted my first set of rocks with acrylic paint & Sharpie markers, applied Modge Podge & some of the Sharpie markers ran & some didn't. Can't figure it out. I will try not to use sharpies if I can. :(
DeleteI read your suggestions but forget - which fine tip markers are recommended that won't run? And I have trouble getting the paint pens to start & then unexpectedly it starts to pour out. Is there a tip to getting them to flow easily?
DeletePeaceangel - Unfortunately, Sharpies are notorious for smearing when sealed. The only pen I've found which does not smear is the Posca paint pen. They're a little more expensive but worth it. Here's a link to my blog post describing them: http://paintingrocks.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-perfect-paint-pen-for-rocks.html
DeletePeaceangel - To answer your 2nd question, I do not have a tip to get the pen to flow easily other than to use them on scrap paper before applying to the stone. (I only use pens for minor detailing so I don't have extensive experience with them.)
DeleteBe aware...if using nail polish to paint rocks..keep inside out of sun....Sun makes the polish blister.
ReplyDeleteSince I keep most of my rocks indoors, I wasn't aware that the nail polish would blister in the sun. Thank you so much for letting me know.
Deletei have spray painted rocks in the past with premium enamel in the past and they turned out good for outside. now this year, I have started painting river rocks and brown and black slate with acrylic paints [different sizes] for inside but mostly for outdoors I have sealers them to hold up to the weather here with MIRACAL Premium spray enamel to seal. I have put names on them and stencils of butterflies and letters. I also tried the sharpy markers and when I sealed them , some rum and some didn't. so I don,t use them anymore.
ReplyDeleteHi Sheree. Thanks for letting me know about MIRACAL premium spray enamel. Markers seem to problematic for everyone at one time or another. I mostly use acrylic paint for the majority of my design and use Posca markers for detail work.
DeleteI put a coat of Delta Ceramcoat Satin Exterior/Interior Varnish over my painted rocks & the finish turned cloudy. Any suggestions for removing the cloudy finish or adding something to reduce the cloudiness. Thanks for any help.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear your finish turned cloudy. (Delta Ceramcoat changed their formula a few years ago and I don't like how it performs now.) I have never experienced a cloudy finish so I don't have any helpful advice for you to reduce it. Over time the cloudiness may dissipate. You could also apply a different sealer over the cloudy one and see what happens. If that doesn't work, sadly, you may have to re-paint your stones.
DeleteHi Cindy-just started rock painting and love it. The smearing took me by surprise and is quite upsetting after spending lots of time on a piece. I switched from spray sealer to brush and to try to help and it still smears, every now and then. I’m going to try the glue idea, and I’m also going to investigate the Posca brand markers. Do you have any advice on how to create a very deep looking glossy finish? Almost like something is covered in glass? Every once in a while I will see a rock that has that type of finish and always wondered how it was obtained. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Jody. Marker smearing can be very disappointing! Make sure your rocks have "cured" before sealing them. Sometimes that means letting the rock sit for a week so the marker completely dries. The glossy, glassy finish is created using "resin." Do an online search for "art resin rocks" and you should see some tutorials on how it's done.
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