<p>Most fixatives are resin-based, dispersed using alcohol. The latter will evaporate quickly, so you're basically looking at a resin/resin bond, but I don't know how different resins work at each other chemically. I can imagine the fixative resin won't play nice with the water-based polycrylic.</p>

<p>Apart from not using fixative and <em>spraying</em> the polycrylic so you won't smudge the chalk to begin with, <strong>I suggest making a fixative yourself using shellac</strong> (mix with isopropyl alcohol, 1:8 respectively), and applying it using a spray bottle.<br>
Shellac bonds well with most coatings, so it should as well with polycrylic (see also <a href="https://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?pretty;board=finishing;topic=polyacrylic-over-shellac.0" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a>). </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-27T03:26:02.443Z
Very helpful answer, thank you!
Jennicrafts
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-26T19:22:29.333Z
2020-05-26T19:22:29.333Z
Joachim
<p>Yes, it should work, though I recommend testing the combination on another piece to be certain.</p>

<p>One of my hobbies involves "painting" resin pieces with chalk pastel; to both protect the surface and provide tooth, and to fix the pieces in place, spray finishes are typically used on the piece. These aren't necessarily sold as "fixative," but they behave in a very similar manner. Finishing touches are then added using a high-gloss varnish over the final matte spray layer, and there are no issues with doing this.</p>

<p>Since the materials you're using (ground, spray, and varnish) are slightly different from the ones I use, however, I would recommend a test run before committing to the final piece, but based on my own experiences, I don't see any reason why it shouldn't work.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-27T14:07:53.210Z
2020-05-27T14:07:53.210Z
Allison C
<p>I’ve made an acrylic painting on a wood slice, but added some detail with a chalk pencil. I normally seal my wood slice art with polycrylic, but I’m concerned about smudging the chalk when I seal. Should I spray a final fixative over the chalk detail and then polycrylic my piece as normal? I’d love any suggestions!</p>

<sealer>
Can I use polycrylic over a fixative?
Jennicrafts
# Can I use polycrylic over a fixative?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-05-25)

I’ve made an acrylic painting on a wood slice, but added some detail with a chalk pencil. I normally seal my wood slice art with polycrylic, but I’m concerned about smudging the chalk when I seal. Should I spray a final fixative over the chalk detail and then polycrylic my piece as normal? I’d love any suggestions!

**Tags:** sealer


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2020-05-27. Score: 4

Yes, it should work, though I recommend testing the combination on another piece to be certain.

One of my hobbies involves "painting" resin pieces with chalk pastel; to both protect the surface and provide tooth, and to fix the pieces in place, spray finishes are typically used on the piece. These aren't necessarily sold as "fixative," but they behave in a very similar manner. Finishing touches are then added using a high-gloss varnish over the final matte spray layer, and there are no issues with doing this.

Since the materials you're using (ground, spray, and varnish) are slightly different from the ones I use, however, I would recommend a test run before committing to the final piece, but based on my own experiences, I don't see any reason why it shouldn't work.


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### Answer by username_1 on 2020-05-26. Score: 3

Most fixatives are resin-based, dispersed using alcohol. The latter will evaporate quickly, so you're basically looking at a resin/resin bond, but I don't know how different resins work at each other chemically. I can imagine the fixative resin won't play nice with the water-based polycrylic.

Apart from not using fixative and *spraying* the polycrylic so you won't smudge the chalk to begin with, **I suggest making a fixative yourself using shellac** (mix with isopropyl alcohol, 1:8 respectively), and applying it using a spray bottle.  
Shellac bonds well with most coatings, so it should as well with polycrylic (see also [here](https://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?pretty;board=finishing;topic=polyacrylic-over-shellac.0)).

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Very helpful answer, thank you!  

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