How to use the the HV’ART Advanced Lacquer Paint System™- Glazing and Lacquering

This blog includes the last two steps in a four part process. You can view the details of the first and second steps here.

The HV’ART Advanced Lacquer Paint System: Last 2 Key Steps

Step Three: Create the Decorative Finish with HV’ART Lacquer Glaze™

Select the appropriate HV’ART Lacquer Glaze™ according to the decorative finish you wish to create. The glaze is a translucent medium that is tinted with colour and applied over the HV’ART Decorative Canvas™ base coat, allowing the underlying colour to remain visible and helping the artisan build layers of movement, depth and nuance.

We generally recommend tinting the glaze with Mixol Universal Tinting Concentrates. When used in the correct proportions, these pigments provide colour without significantly altering the working or drying characteristics of the glaze.

The tinted glaze may be used to produce patination, glaze washes, strié, marble, wood and stone effects, lacquer designs and many other specialist decorative finishes. The chosen glaze, colour strength, consistency and application technique determine the movement, depth and individual character of the finished surface.

Step Four: Choose the Appropriate HV’ART Crystal Lacquer™

Select the appropriate HV’ART Crystal Lacquer™ according to the required level of protection, durability and sheen.

The choice of sheen is a fundamental part of the design, helping to establish whether the completed finish feels traditional, softly aged, understated, contemporary or highly polished. The correct Crystal Lacquer protects the decorative work beneath while enhancing its colour, depth and character.

What HV’ART products do I need for decorative finishes and lacquer designs?

We are often asked which HV’ART paints and lacquers are needed to create a decorative finish and lacquer design.

Before choosing the decorative colour, glaze or final lacquer sheen, the substrate must be properly assessed, prepared and primed. Please read our previous blog to understand what products you will need for the first two steps.

Step Three: Lacquer Glazing

The third stage of the HV’ART Advanced Lacquer Paint System is where the decorative character of the finish is created.

The tinted HV’ART Lacquer Glaze™ is applied over the correctly prepared HV’ART Decorative Canvas™ base coat or a tested compatible finishing coat and then manipulated by the artisan to create the required colour, movement, texture and visual depth.

Unlike an ordinary paint coat, a decorative glaze is designed to remain workable for long enough to be moved, softened, removed, blended and layered. This allows the artisan to control how much of the underlying base colour remains visible and how the decorative colour is distributed across the surface.

The result may be extremely subtle or highly expressive, depending on the intended finish.

Choosing the Appropriate Decorative Glaze

The correct glaze should be selected according to the type of finish being created, the size and position of the surface, the desired working time and the application technique being used.

HV’ART Lacquer Glazes™ are formulated to work in harmony with HV’ART Decorative Canvas™, providing the controlled slip needed for specialist decorative work. This allows the tinted glaze to move across the surface without grabbing too quickly, dragging unevenly or producing unwanted dry edges.

The tinted translucent glaze may be used to create:

• softly aged or patinated finishes
• translucent colour washes
• subtle tonal variation
• Contemporary Japanning
• faux marble and stone
• decorative wood and faux-bois finishes
• antique, worn or time-softened effects
• layered metallic, pearlescent or mineral-inspired finishes

The decorative result is determined not only by the colour of the glaze, but also by how it is applied, manipulated and removed.

Building Colour, Movement and Depth

Traditional decorative finishes are usually created through a relationship between the base colour and the translucent glaze placed over it.

The underlying Decorative Canvas establishes the principal colour structure. The glaze then introduces movement, contrast and depth.

Because the glaze is translucent, the base remains visible through the decorative layer. This creates a visual richness that cannot normally be achieved with a single opaque coat of paint.

The artisan may apply the glaze by brush or roller before manipulating it with specialist decorative tools to achieve the required effect. These may include softening brushes, stippling brushes, dragging brushes, floggers, combs, cloths, sponges and specialist graining tools.

The glaze may then be softened, stippled, dragged, washed, mottled, feathered, combed or partially removed to create the required movement, texture and pattern.

In faux-marble, stone and wood finishes, several glaze colours may be layered to reproduce the complexity and variation found in natural materials. In a glaze wash or patinated finish, the treatment may be much quieter, creating only a gentle change in tone and movement.

Selecting the Correct Glaze Consistency

Different decorative techniques require different levels of body, movement, pattern retention and working time.

HV’ART Lacquer Glazes™ are available in four formulations, allowing the artisan to select the appropriate combination of working time, consistency and pattern retention for the finish being created.

HV’ART Open Time Pattern Hold Lacquer Glaze™

HV’ART Open Time Pattern Hold Lacquer Glaze™ provides the longest working time with greater pattern retention. It is designed for larger areas and for decorative finishes where the movement and pattern need to remain clearly defined.

It is particularly suited to strié, dragging, wood graining and other patterned glaze effects that require sufficient time to work across a larger surface.

HV’ART Open Time Lacquer Glaze™

HV’ART Open Time Lacquer Glaze™ has a thinner consistency while retaining an extended working time.

It is particularly suited to larger areas, broad translucent washes, subtle shifts of colour and softly layered effects where the underlying base colour is intended to remain clearly visible.

HV’ART Studio Set Pattern Hold Lacquer Glaze™

HV’ART Studio Set Pattern Hold Lacquer Glaze™ has a quicker setting time and is designed for smaller areas, sample boards and decorative stages that need to progress more quickly.

It is useful for techniques such as flogging, small-scale strié, the early stages of marble or wood-grain finishes, and layered decorative work where the next glaze needs to be applied sooner.

HV’ART Studio Set Lacquer Glaze™

HV’ART Studio Set Lacquer Glaze™ is the thinner, faster-setting studio glaze.

It is ideal for quick colour washes, fine colour adjustments and translucent layers built in succession, particularly in marble, stone, wood and other detailed decorative finishes.

The correct glaze should therefore be selected according to the scale and position of the surface, the required working and setting time, the level of pattern retention and the decorative technique being used.

The scale of the surface must also be considered. Large walls, ceilings and joinery sections require sufficient working time to maintain a continuous wet edge and avoid visible joins. Smaller areas or highly detailed finishes may benefit from a quicker-setting or more controlled glaze.

Environmental conditions can also affect the behaviour of the material. Temperature, airflow, humidity and the absorbency of the underlying surface may all influence working time. This is why correct preparation and the use of a compatible base coat are so important.

Preparing the Glaze for Lacquering

Once the desired decorative effect has been achieved, the glaze must be allowed to dry and cure sufficiently before the protective Crystal Lacquer is applied.

The surface should be carefully inspected before lacquering. Any unwanted marks, joins, inconsistencies or areas requiring adjustment should be corrected at the glaze stage, as the subsequent lacquer will protect and enhance everything beneath it.

The glaze creates the artistic finish. The Crystal Lacquer applied in Step Four then seals, protects and presents that finish with the chosen level of sheen.

HV’ART Lacquer Glaze™ is the creative stage of the system: the point at which colour, technique and craftsmanship combine to transform a prepared surface into a distinctive decorative finish.

Step Four: Lacquering

The fourth stage of the HV’ART Advanced Lacquer Paint System is the application of the appropriate HV’ART Crystal Lacquer™.

The lacquer should be selected according to the appearance of the intended finish, the level of use the surface will receive and the degree of protection required. A decorative wall finish, a piece of furniture, a bathroom surface and a frequently handled item of joinery may each require a different lacquer specification.

HV’ART Crystal Lacquers™ protect the decorative work beneath while enhancing its colour, depth and character. The correct lacquer helps to create a durable and cleanable surface without compromising the movement, variation and craftsmanship of the decorative finish.

Choosing the Correct Sheen

Sheen is not simply a technical choice. It is an essential part of the visual design of the finish.

The way light reflects from a surface can dramatically alter how its colour, texture and decorative movement are perceived. A lower sheen absorbs more light and can create a softer, quieter or more aged appearance. A higher sheen reflects more light, increasing contrast, depth and visual impact.

The HV’ART Crystal Lacquer™ range is available in ten sheen levels. Their names are intended to help describe the visual character of the dried finish, although each lacquer may be used creatively across many different decorative applications.

HV’ART ADV Crystal Lacquer™ 00 Mineral — Deep Matt

Our deepest matt finish, designed to create a very mineral, aged or almost uncoated appearance. It is particularly suited to finishes intended to feel chalky, natural, time-worn or quietly understated.

Because extremely matt finishes can reveal application marking more readily, 00 Mineral is best used where the surface, technique and method of application are carefully controlled.

HV’ART ADV Crystal Lacquer™ 02 Stone — Matt

A natural matt finish with a gentle degree of light reflection, inspired by the appearance of real stone such as limestone.

02 Stone is generally our preferred matt lacquer for larger flat walls, ceilings and broad glazed surfaces, as it creates a soft matt appearance while offering greater application forgiveness than an ultra-deep matt finish.

HV’ART ADV Crystal Lacquer™ 04 Parchment — Semi-Matt

A soft semi-matt finish with just enough lustre to give a surface gentle warmth and life.

It is well suited to parchment-inspired finishes, softly aged decorative work and surfaces where a quiet, refined glow is preferred to a completely matt appearance.

HV’ART ADV Crystal Lacquer™ 06 Vellum — Veluxe Matt

A refined matt finish with a soft, velvety light response.

06 Vellum gives decorative surfaces a little more depth and light movement while retaining an understated and elegant appearance, making it particularly suitable for vellum-inspired, softly polished and subtly layered finishes.

HV’ART ADV Crystal Lacquer™ 08 Boiserie — Semi-Eggshell

A classic low eggshell finish developed to complement refined timber and decorative wood effects.

08 Boiserie is particularly suited to faux bois, grained timber, painted joinery and traditional decorative finishes where a restrained but sophisticated sheen is required.

HV’ART ADV Crystal Lacquer™ 10 Honed — Eggshell

A softly reflective eggshell finish inspired by honed stone and marble.

10 Honed adds gentle depth and light movement without appearing glossy. It is suitable for honed marble effects, stone finishes, decorative timber and many other surfaces requiring a refined, quietly polished appearance.

HV’ART ADV Crystal Lacquer™ 20 Lustre — Semi-Satin

A softly lustrous finish that begins to introduce more noticeable light reflection.

20 Lustre is particularly suited to marble, wood, decorative panels and specialist finishes where greater richness and depth are required without moving into a full satin sheen.

HV’ART ADV Crystal Lacquer™ 40 Quartz — Satin

A clear satin finish with stronger light reflection and greater visual depth.

40 Quartz is well suited to contemporary stone and marble effects, decorative joinery and surfaces where a more polished, luxurious appearance is desired.

HV’ART ADV Crystal Lacquer™ 60 Gilt — Semi-Gloss

A rich semi-gloss finish designed to enhance metallic, gilded and highly decorative surfaces.

60 Gilt intensifies colour, metallic movement and reflected light, making it particularly effective over gold, bronze, metallic finishes and decorative work requiring greater brilliance.

HV’ART ADV Crystal Lacquer™ 90 Ceramic — Ultimate Gloss

Our highest-gloss lacquer, developed to create an intense wet-look finish with maximum depth, clarity and light reflection.

90 Ceramic is used for our signature Contemporary Japanning Lacquer™ finishes and for surfaces intended to resemble polished ceramic or highly refined lacquer. Depending on the project, the cured lacquer may subsequently be honed and polished to further refine the final surface.

The same decorative finish can appear entirely different depending on the Crystal Lacquer selected. A traditional or antique-inspired finish may be most convincing in Mineral, Stone, Parchment or Vellum, while a bold contemporary finish may benefit from Quartz, Gilt or Ceramic.

The surrounding architecture, lighting and intended atmosphere should always be considered when selecting the final sheen.

Adding Depth, Clarity and Protection

One of the great advantages of working with a controlled lacquer system is that it allows decorative finishes to be enhanced beneath a beautiful clear surface.

Lacquer can be used to add depth, clarity and protection to:

• faux marbles
• faux wood
• painted stone effects
• decorative panels
• specialist glaze works
• hand-painted socket plates
• painted furniture details
• architectural features
• restoration work

A carefully lacquered surface can create a museum-quality appearance, particularly when used over finely painted marble or wood graining. It can also help unify a decorative scheme by giving different painted elements a shared depth and sheen.

It is equally valuable in sympathetic restoration, where the appropriate glaze density and lacquer sheen can help new work sit quietly alongside the original surface. The system is quick-drying, non-yellowing and very low odour, allowing thin, durable layers to be built with a high degree of control.

This is one of the reasons we developed the HV’ART Advanced Lacquer Paint System™. It gives the artisan greater creative control across a wide range of decorative finishes.

Balancing Appearance and Durability

The required sheen should always be considered alongside the practical demands placed upon the surface.

Frequently touched joinery, furniture, doors and surfaces exposed to moisture or regular cleaning may require a more robust lacquer specification. More decorative or lightly used surfaces may allow the choice to be led primarily by appearance.

It is therefore important to consider:

• the visual character of the finish
• the amount of natural and artificial light
• the level of handling and daily use
• the required restistance to cleaning, moisture and wear
• whether the intended appearance is traditional, contemporary or highly polished

The objective is to select a Crystal Lacquer that provides the necessary protection while presenting the decorative finish exactly as intended.

The final lacquer does far more than protect the surface. Its sheen controls how the finish responds to light and plays a defining role in the colour, depth, age and overall character of the completed work.

A Typical HV’ART Shopping List

A typical HV’ART shopping list for the last two steps will depend on the decorative finish being created. These may include:

1. Decorative Glaze

Choose one of the four HV’ART Lacquer Glazes™ according to the scale of the surface, required working time, consistency and pattern retention:

• HV’ART Open Time Pattern Hold Lacquer Glaze™
• HV’ART Open Time Lacquer Glaze™
• HV’ART Studio Set Pattern Hold Lacquer Glaze™
• HV’ART Studio Set Lacquer Glaze™

The glaze will also require a suitable colourant. We generally recommend:

• Mixol Universal Tinting Concentrates

2. Protective Crystal Lacquer

Choose the appropriate HV’ART Crystal Lacquer™ according to the desired sheen, appearance and level of protection.

The range includes ten sheen levels, from 00 Mineral Deep Matt through to 90 Ceramic Ultimate Gloss.

The chosen lacquer should reflect both the visual character of the finish and the practical demands placed upon the surface.

Where increased durability, chemical resistance or enhanced performance is required, the appropriate HV’ART ADV crosslinker or hardener may also be specified.

3. Honing and Polishing

Where the finished lacquer is to be refined, honed or polished, the system may also include:

• HV’ART Lacquer Honing Compound™
• HV’ART Lacquer Polishing Wax™

4. Application Tools and Accessories

The correct tools form an essential part of the system and may include:

• suitable rollers
• laying-off and gliding brushes
• softening, stippling and dragging brushes
• floggers, combs and specialist graining tools
• cloths and sponges
• sanding and surface-refinement materials
• polishing accessories

The final shopping list will depend on the substrate, surface condition, decorative design, application method and intended level of protection. Sample boards are always recommended before committing to the main surface, allowing the complete system—from primer and base colour through to glaze, lacquer and final sheen—to be tested together.

How much HV’ART paint or lacquer will I need?

We are also often asked how much paint or lacquer is required.

This depends on the substrate, application method, porosity, design, number of coats, level of sanding, glaze depth, chosen sheen and the skill of the person using the materials. For this reason, we cannot calculate exact quantities for every project.

However, as a broad guide based on our site experience:

• HV’ART Lacquer Glaze™: approximately 25 to 30 square metres per litre, per coat. The number of coats depends on the depth and movement required.
• HV’ART Crystal Lacquer™: approximately 25 to 30 square metres per litre, per coat.

These figures are approximate and should be treated as guidance only.

A deeper broken colour finish may require more glaze work. A higher lacquer build may require more Crystal Lacquer. More sanding between coats may also affect usage. The artisan using the system must make allowance for the project, the surface and the intended finish.

Roll, tip and glide: the importance of application tools

As discussed in the previous blog, rolling and tipping is the favoured application style for our system. You may also read about it further in our other blog about rolling and tipping.

The brushes, rollers and accessories we use are highlighted them under Accessories in our online store. We recommed these since they allow the material to be applied, laid down and refined with the greatest possible control.

FAQs about Using the HV’ART Advanced Lacquer Paint System