Paint FAQs

Jolie Embellishment Products

Jolie Gilding Wax is an easy way to give metallic highlights to carvings, appliqués, or hardware. Consider using it to add some reflection to your matte, painted finish, especially on surfaces that were originally metal. Jolie Gilding Waxes can be applied with a brush or a fingertip to add metallic shine to details. Apply Clear Finishing Wax to your surface first for the most control.

For complete instructions on how to use Gilding Wax, download the Jolie Embellishment Guide or watch our video tutorial on How to Embellish with Jolie Waxes.

Apply a thin, even coat of Gold Size with an artist brush to the areas to be covered with Jolie Metal Leaf. The size will go on white and dry clear. It should be ready to accept the metal leaf after 10-20 minutes of dry time and will remain tacky indefinitely. On a porous surface, apply a second coat of size after about 15 minutes. Wash your brush in hot soapy water as soon as possible. If you are gilding over a piece painted with Jolie Paint, make sure to apply your Gold Size and Metal Leaf before the Jolie Finishing Wax as the Gold Size will not stick to already waxed surfaces.

Jolie Metal Leaf comes in three colors: Gold, silver and copper. Gently apply the Jolie Metal Leaf over the sized areas, using a soft, dry brush to push the leaf onto the surface. Continue until all the areas where you applied Gold Size have been covered with Metal Leaf.

Use a soft brush to remove any loose, excess leaf, being careful not to scratch the surface of the leaf. Use a soft cloth to help remove any last little pieces.

Apply Clear Finishing Wax to seal and protect the Metal Leaf. If you are using a water-based topcoat instead of Finishing Wax, apply a coat of shellac before your topcoat.

Gold Size and Metal Leaf are intended for interior use only.

For complete instructions on how to use Gold Size and Metal Leaf, download the Jolie Embellishment Guide or watch our video tutorial on How to Apply Jolie Gold Size and Metal Leaf to Furniture.

Jolie Brushes

Jolie Brushes are created by one of the world’s premier brush manufacturers and imported from Italy (with the exception of the Chip Brush, which is imported from Indonesia).

Jolie Brushes are handcrafted with high-quality materials so that they will perform project after project.

Jolie Brushes use a mix of synthetic and natural bristles and are designed with comfortable, ergonomic handles with holes for easy hanging after washing. Stainless Steel (INOX) ferrules prevent rust.

Clean brushes with warm water and a grease-cutting detergent and hang or prop to dry with the bristles pointing downward. With proper care, these brushes should last for years.

Troubleshooting

At times, Jolie Paint may have trouble adhering to a surface, and will immediately separate into a web-like pattern when applied. This can happen when painting non-porous, paint-resistant surfaces, or surfaces that have been cleaned with furniture polishes containing silicone. NOTE: This will also happen when applying paint to Thermofoil or some engineered wood. We do not recommend painting thermofoil, as this surface will not accept paint long-term.

THE SOLUTION: Clean the surface, sand it with fine (180-220 grit) sandpaper, and wipe away the dust. Apply one thin coat of Jolie Paint and allow it to dry for 48 hours. The curing process will begin during this time, making it easier for the next coat of paint to adhere to the surface. You can then apply the second coat of paint and proceed normally with your project.

Stains can show up as the paint dries as orange or pinkish spots. This is usually caused by tannins that are bleeding out of an open-grained wood into the fresh paint. Oak and mahogany are the most likely offenders. Stains can also be caused by oils bleeding out of wood filler or previous oily spills.

THE SOLUTION: Wipe on one or two thin coats of shellac, a non-toxic sealer found in most hardware and paint stores. The easiest way to apply shellac is to dip a cloth into the can of shellac and wipe it across the stained areas. Be sure to wear gloves! Because shellac has a relatively short shelf life and is ruined if it is exposed to warm temperatures, using a fresh can will be the most effective. After the shellac dries (in a matter of minutes), you can then repaint the area with Jolie Paint. If you use a brush to apply shellac, clean it with either denatured alcohol or ammonia.

TIP: Do not sand mahogany furniture prior to painting. This will remove the existing topcoat which can encourage bleed through.

Cracking can occur for a number of different reasons: if the paint was applied too thickly and caused uneven surface expansion or contraction, if you paint a second coat or expose the surface to moisture before the first coat is completely dry, if the surface is exposed to a heat source such as strong sunshine or warm air from a hair dryer or heat vent (seen most often on lighter colors), if harsh cleaners, such as trisodium phosphate, were used and not rinsed appropriately, if the surface was previously cleaned with a spray furniture polish containing silicone, or if the surface was sealed with shellac that was applied too thickly or was past its shelf life.

THE SOLUTION: Lightly sand the affected areas with medium grit sandpaper and apply a coat or two of fresh shellac. Re-apply Jolie Paint.

Smelly or moldy paint is usually caused by contaminants found in water. Never add water directly to a can of paint. Even a brush that’s wet with water can contaminate a can of paint.

THE SOLUTION: It’s best to decant the paint into another container to use while painting.

Hammering a lid onto the can too hard can damage the epoxy liner inside the can and expose the metal, which then rusts.

THE SOLUTION: Be diligent about cleaning out the rim of the paint can and use a rubber mallet to gently replace the lid.

Failing to create an airtight seal on the paint after use can lead to dried out paint.

THE SOLUTION: Covering up the top of the can with cling wrap is an easy way to create an airtight seal, particularly when the seal has been compromised by dried paint in the rim of the can.

This is usually caused by the paint freezing and thawing.

THE SOLUTION: Always store the paint in a temperature controlled environment.

Dried out Finishing Wax can be the result of not securing the lid tightly onto the can.

THE SOLUTION: A few drops of mineral spirits can rejuvenate the wax and restore the creamy consistency.

When Clear Finishing Wax is not applied evenly, it may appear splotchy on your surface.

THE SOLUTION: Try applying another coat of Clear Finishing Wax to even it out.

If you see fingerprints in the waxed surface, it signals that the wax was handled while it was still wet or there is too much wax on the surface.

THE SOLUTION: Buff the surface with a textured cloth or some steel wool to remove the excess.

It is not unusual to see some color on the Wax Brush or wiping cloth when waxing over highly pigmented colors, particularly when the paint is fresh.

THE SOLUTION: This will become less apparent as the paint cures and hardens. Be sure to allow for adequate cure time when using these types of highly pigmented colors, especially on chair seats, to ensure that the color doesn’t transfer onto clothing.

Flattening agents, which keep the Floor Varnish from being too shiny, can create thick clumps on the bottom of the can.

THE SOLUTION: Turn over your cans of Floor Varnish periodically to keep the flattening agents from settling on the bottom.

An uneven sheen can be caused by using more than one can of Floor Varnish for a single project or by pressing too hard on the roller and back rolling into fresh varnish.

THE SOLUTION: Batch the cans of Floor Varnish and continue to stir the batched varnish throughout the application process. Use a larger roller and use confident strokes. The shinier areas may be minimized by lightly sanding with a fine grit sandpaper.

When the Floor Varnish dries, tannins and stain can be pulled out of wood and through the paint.

THE SOLUTION: Always do test spots with Jolie Paint and Floor Varnish before proceeding with a project. There is no fix other than repainting.