I'm decoupaging a child's chair to give as a door prize at our next Daylily Club meeting. Has anyone had good success with putting decoupage art in the garden where the UV rays and weather elements didn't destroy it within a short amount of time? I'm currently researching which sealant product would provide the best protection. Any input is much appreciated, thank you!

I'd be afraid all of the colors would fade out over time. Maybe it would be worth it if it was something that didn't take you too much time. I have used supposedly clear UV sprays in the past and they haven't worked even in a bright room in the house, but that was about 10 years ago. Hopefully the UV sprays have improved by now! Good luck! I can imagine how beautiful it could be to have decoupaged items out in the garden.

That is absolutely beautiful. Once it's decoupaged and sealed, I wonder what would happen if you put something like Marine varnish over it?

I'm sorry I forgot to say that will be a wonderful chair! So bright and pretty!

That would be worth trying, but only on a small sample board. If it worked, then she could use it on the chair. I once decoupaged a small bedside table. I put marine varnish over it, and the entire piece crazed. We don't really know why but we guess it was a reaction to the glaze I'd used on the decoupage, or the glues coming through. I left it that way, and over time we came to like the old antique look!

There "used to be" a product called "Joli Glaze" that worked great for decoupaging and it help up pretty well on outdoor projects such as what Seedsower has made (which is very nice btw !). I did a similar piece (but not as nice) for someone back in the '70's using the Joli Glaze and it held up very well for over 10 years.
I can't seem to find a source for it anymore. Michael's carried it for a while but it's really hard to find now.
Maybe a ceramics supply place would have it or something similar that doesn't need firing ???

I've tried the marine varnish but it yellows after a while and ruins the colors underneath and tends to "fracture" the paper underneath.
That may be due to the summer heat here, though, or too much direct sunlight.
For all I know I might be spelling it (Joli Glaze) wrong. ???

Hmm... sounds like the marine varnish cracks so now I'm wondering about an exterior polyurethane. Wonder if that could crack as well?

vic said:Hmm... sounds like the marine varnish cracks so now I'm wondering about an exterior polyurethane. Wonder if that could crack as well?

In years past, I've used exterior polyurethanes and most of them will yellow with sunlight. Maybe there is something new now?

I got something from Michael's called Diamond Glaze, but I haven't tried it out yet. I'll check to see what it says on use.

Sad news from me: Everything I have decoupaged eventually cracked and faded too. Your best pet is to paint the little chair with acrylic patio paints.