I have been waterproofing my fans for years usually with a spray waterproofing product or water based stray Urethane. I was never 100% happy with either. So, I went looking for something else. I found out that there are some rub-on Bee’s wax products that work to waterproof watercolors and inkjet printed artwork. I decided to give this one a try.
Important. I discovered after I posted this article that adding gold paint pen after adding the bee’s wax coating seemed to work at the time but on my next project it never dried and remained sticks and the shine came off. So I do not recommend it for fans with gold decorations. I’m working to fine a metallic pen that might work with the bee’s wax and will add a note when I find it.
I print my fan artwork on either a small inkjet printer or a large format printer which has water based inks. I also almost always add more watercolor work to my fan leaves and blades. Because drops of water can damage such works they need protection.
This is what I tried, Tim Holtz Distress® Micro Glaze. I got it from Ranger as for some reason Amazon would not ship it to my address.
It’s clear an seems very similar to thread conditioner.
You just get some on your finger.
You just rub it over the artwork.
It only takes a very thin layer. At first it seems like it might be a little opaque.
But if you rub off any access then it clears up. When it has dried you use a clean paper towel to buff it.
It might darken things a very little. Uncoated on the left and coated on the right but I can’t say that for sure. But it leaves a really nice feel to the paper which is not sticky at all.
Then you can add your oil based paints over that. I almost always add gold leaf with fine tipped gold leaf markers or by painting it on with a brush. I’m really pleased with the product. There are other brands out there check at your local art supply stores.