Product Selection Chart

Use the Product Selection Chart below to choose the right products and guides for preserving and repairing your new or aged mural.

1. Restore a sun-aged mural

When working on an existing aged mural, it is important to first document the current condition before any work starts and if applicable, contact the original artist or artists. If the aged mural has tags or buffed paint, test those areas using BuffOff™ and ReNew™. Carefully time the application and rinse off with water. You will gradually reveal the original mural beneath. When ready, use ColorShield™ to consolidate and restore the original pigment in your mural. Test a small area by spraying ColorShield™ and photographing any changes. You will notice certain pigments recover their original vibrancy more than others. Colors like Cadmiums and Cobalts oxidize and may not return like purples and blues. Spray ColorShield™ lightly while overlapping each pass.

When the mural is completely coated, allow to dry before applying your next coating of ColorShield™. Different substrates and paint conditions will absorb ColorShield™ in different quantities and at different rates. Apply 3-5 layers until the resin builds up on the surface. Allow to fully cure, approximately 24-48 hours. If any matte areas remain, spray additional ColorShield™ until the resin is present on the surface.

Begin in-painting using appropriate outdoor paints. Once completed, apply two to three coats of ColorShield™ followed by two to three coats of OverCoat™. Document the final results with a high quality camera and record all of the steps you took to repair the mural. For more advice, give us a call or reach us at hello@muralcolors.com.

2. Preserve a new outdoor acrylic mural and protect from buffing or tagging

Allow the acrylic mural to fully cure for 2 to 3 days. This will vary depending on humidity and weather. Colder weather and higher humidity makes acrylics dry much slower. Take note of any areas that might be glazed. These areas will be sensitive to fusing and require special attention. Airless or HVLP sprayers work great for applying ColorShield™. Choose a medium-high pressure so that you are able to get a fine atomization. Aim the sprayer approximately 6-10 ft away from the wall and apply in a fog technique while moving the spray gun at a fairly fast pace. Spray even lighter over glazed areas by moving the spray gun faster and at a further distance. Lightly spray the mural and gradually allow the layer to accumulate to avoid overloading the paint surface. Each layer should be allowed to dry before continuing to the next layer until 2-3 coats are applied. Cold temperatures, high humidity and low airflow will slow ColorShield's dry time. For more details on applying ColorShield, see our guide here.

ColorShield™ will consolidate and fuse paint layers to create a durable surface. This one-time treatment delivers high performance UV stabilizers and strengthens paint binder. Once ColorShield™ cures, apply 2-3 coats of OverCoat™. OverCoat™ is a semi-sacrificial coating that also contains additional high performance UV stabilizers and absorbers. By combining ColorShield™ and OverCoat™, you will obtain the maximum protection for your mural from weathering and buffing or tagging. For more details on applying OverCoat™, see our guide here.

3. Preserve a new outdoor acrylic mural from weathering

Sometimes murals are so large and budgets are so limited that artists can only use one coating. In these instances, choose ColorShield™. Without OverCoat™, however, you will not be able to remove buffing or tagging, but you will still get substantial UV stabilization. All UV stabilizers and light absorbers eventually lose their performance ability over time and ColorShield™ is no different. If in the future, renewing the UV coating is desired, simply reapply ColorShield™. This method will fuse worn coatings and over time, trapped pollution and dirt in the coating may affect the vibrancy of paint.

If a mural has to be preserved indefinitely, a better method is to use ColorShield with OverCoat™. OverCoat™ is designed to be easily removed with MuralWash™, which allows you the ability to restore UV stabilizers without trapping unwanted pollution, dirt, or worn out protective layers. Simply wash your mural with MuralWash™ to remove OverCoat™, rinse with water, and reapply 2-3 layers of OverCoat™. The UV stabilizers and absorbers in MuralColors Preservation System are designed to last many years. To balance the UV stabilizer's performance, consider assessing a mural every 6-8 years and reapply OverCoat™ as needed. Every mural is different and changes can vary so maintain good documentation and photographs from the start.

4. Preserve a new outdoor mural created with or containing spray paint or house paints

Spray paint and some house paints are sensitive to consolidation. Spray paint layers are so thin and can sometimes resist adhering to acrylic paints. Some light house paints contain delaminates and opacifiers which can alter their appearance if too much consolidant is applied. Slipping is when paint shifts or slips down a wall during fusing. To avoid this, artists have two options.

Option 1: Apply ColorShield™ lightly using a fog coat technique. Set up your sprayer to create a fine atomization and stand 8-12 feet away from the wall or far enough away that the spray gradually tumbles onto the surface of the artwork. Allow the coating to dry before reapplying the following coat. This method is methodical and requires attention to what is happening on the wall. If pigment slips, increase your distance from the wall and/or move your sprayer at a faster pace to reduce the amount of ColorShield™ being applied to the wall. 

Option 2: Use a water-based acrylic isolation coating before applying ColorShield™. Any acrylic varnish is suitable as an isolation coating. Apply one coat of a water-based acrylic varnish and allow to thoroughly dry before proceeding with applying ColorShield™.

Once ColorShield cures, proceed with applying OverCoat™. For more details on applying OverCoat™, see our guide here.

5. Preserve a new indoor mural

For indoor murals that do not require paint fusing or consolidation, choose OverCoat. Allow the artwork to thoroughly dry before applying OverCoat™. Temperature, humidity and airflow will affect OverCoat's dry time. Mask architectural surfaces and protect floors before beginning application. Should overspray occur, wipe the area with a wet cloth or generic cleaner appropriate for the affected surface. 

OverCoat™ contains high performing UV light stabilizers and absorbers. Indoor murals are less prone to UV damage, but can still fade if near windows or skylights. OverCoat™ provides suitable protection indoors against scuffs and stains. As a zero VOC water-based product, it is perfect for use in sensitive indoor areas, such as restaurants, stores, classrooms, and high traffic areas.

Proceed with applying OverCoat™ as described in our guide here. OverCoat™ can be sprayed, brushed, or rolled. Allow to thoroughly dry between coatings.

6. The Semi Sacrificial Method: Repair a mural protected with ColorShield™ and OverCoat™

There are two methods for removing tags or buffs off of murals protected with MuralColors' Preservation System. The Semi-Sacrificial method works on most spray paint and tags by dissolving the paint without affecting OverCoat™. This can be repeated several times so long as OverCoat™ was originally applied as instructed. 

To remove a small tag or buff, apply BuffOff™ with a hog hair brush and allow it to sit on the surface with occasional mild agitation. Once the unwanted paint becomes wet, rinse the surface with water by either spraying or using a wet towel or sponge and fresh water bucket. Gently rinse off the tag and neutralize the surface with clean water. Repeat as needed.

Allow the surface to thoroughly dry. Inspect OverCoat™ for any blemishes or abrasions. If the surface appears scuffed or has a changed in sheen, reapply 2 coats of OverCoat™ in the affected area.

7. The Sacrificial Method: Removing difficult paint buffing or tagging by dissolving OverCoat™

The Sacrificial Method is used in instances where repairs are difficult and BuffOff™ is unable to melt the unwanted tagging or buffing. ReNew™ is a high powered bio-based solvent that safely dissolves a broader spectrum of paint materials and activates OverCoat™. When this method is used, all paint sitting on the surface of OverCoat™ will either dissolve or slip off. ReNew™ sacrifices OverCoat™ in the areas that it is applied. ReNew™ allows for precise removal and control.

Apply ReNew™ in the affected area. Agitate with a hog hair brush until the pigment begins to shift and dissolve. Keep the area wet with ReNew™ for about 15 minutes. Spray the dissolved buff or tag with water and rinse thoroughly. If available, a hot pressure washer is very effective over large areas. Repeat as needed.

Reapply OverCoat™ in the affected area. Remember that ReNew™ will remove OverCoat™ in the area applied and sometimes beneath that area due to runoff during the application process. Be sure to reapply OverCoat™ generously to ensure thorough protection.

8. Long term maintenance and refreshing UV stabilizers

For legacy murals and projects that require the highest protection in outdoor environments, we developed MuralWash, a biodegradable mural soap that gently removes OverCoat™ without affecting ColorShield™ and the mural beneath. 

Over time, all UV light absorbers lose their performance. OverCoat™ is designed to easily come off and reapply so that artists or building owners can refresh the UV absorbers performance. Assess murals every 6-8 years for any changes and consider washing and reapplying OverCoat™ when needed. 

MuralWash™ is also useful for instances when you need to in-paint or change something in your mural after it is protected with ColorShield™ and OverCoat™. In these instances, wash the area with MuralWash™ and pat dry. Proceed with in-painting and once cured, apply 2-3 coats of ColorShield™ and 2-3 coats of OverCoat™.