How to Prep Unprimed Wood for Art Projects Plus Fun Home Decor Tutorial Kids Can Do Too!

Before taking on any art project where you will be using an unprimed wood panel as your canvas it's important to prep the wood before applying paint or glue to protect your piece from deteriorating due to Support Induced Discoloration (SID).

What is SID?

If not properly primed SID can happen. This is when the acidity of the wood travels into the paper and paint and causes permanent discoloration. To protect your piece apply two coats of Golden GAC 100 or two coats of Golden Gloss Medium (detailed application instructions below.) For this tutorial I'll be using GAC 100 which I've used for years yielding only favorable results.

I brushed up on research before writing this post and discovered that while Golden previously recommended GAC 100 to protect against SID the company now states that Gloss Medium works better. With this new knowledge I'll be purchasing a Gloss Medium when it's time to restock but if you happen to already have a bottle of GAC 100 that will work too.

---

Supplies You'll Need For Your Home Decor Project

1. Unprimed wood panel

2. Ruler

4. Acrylic paint

5. Golden GAC 100 or Gloss Medium

6. Acrylic Gesso (optional)

7. Paintbrush and/or foam brush

8. Scissors

9. A brayer

10. PVA glue

11. Sheet of heavyweight acid free scrapbook paper

12. Pencil

Assembly

You can use any size wood panel of your choice. However, I would not use a panel larger than 12x12 as most standard scrapbook papers are sized at 12x12. I opt for thicker scrapbook paper opposed to thin because it is sturdier and there is less risk of tearing. For this demonstration I used a 5x7 inch Blick Studio Wood panel with a 1.5 inch cradle. Make sure your scrapbook paper is acid free. If not, the acid can migrate and damage or decay your piece. This is also why I use acid free PVA glue instead of a glue like rubber cement which can cause yellowing over time.

1. Select a sheet of scrapbook paper. This is where the kids come in to showcase their brilliant aesthetic direction as they help choose the most fun design to accentuate your home! There are endless scrapbook paper patterns to choose from and it's a delightful part of the process. (I chose a pattern and paint color that I knew would accentuate my retro farmhouse decor.)

2. Gently rock the bottle of Golden GAC 100 back and forth for about a minute before applying to the sides and front of the panel.

3. Using a paintbrush or foam brush coat the panel with a thin layer of Gac 100. Let dry.

4. Apply a second coat of Gac 100. Let Dry.

5. Optional: For added protection apply 1 to 2 coats of Acrylic Gesso allowing drying time in between. The GAC 100 acts as an acrylic primer so you can skip this step if you'd like.

6. Apply acrylic paint to the sides of your panel and along the front edges of your panel to create a border for your scrapbook paper.

7. Using a ruler and pencil trace out a square on the scrapbook paper that will fit within the dimensions of your panel.

8. Cut out the square.

9. Using another paintbrush or foam brush coat the front of your panel with PVA glue.

10. Carefully align one end of the scrapbook paper where you would like to place it on the panel and smooth down.

11. Roll a brayer over the scrapbook paper in one direction and then roll over it again in the opposite direction. This step eliminates wrinkles and pushes air bubbles out so the piece is smoothly fastened to the wood.

Now sit back and admire your new home decor. Hang it on a wall or display on a decorative shelf. You did it!!!!!! It looks great! Good job!

Ta-Ta for now!

Ri Ri