Varnishes (Artist)
Art materials are inherently hazardous. Even the least harmful products may have some amount of hazardous ingredients. Try reducing your exposure by using personal protective equipment, ventilating your space and only buying what you need.
The following product reviews have been requested by program partners. To know which of your existing products are safer to use, please review their Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to see if they have the same ingredients as the products listed here.
Required
Suggested
Weber Synvar Varnish Manufacturer(s)
Martin F. Weber Co Vendor(s)
Dick Blick Art Materials When to Use
Use in a well ventilated space. Wear nitrile gloves and protective goggles. Product/Service Type
Consumer |
SpectraFix Spray Fixative Manufacturer(s)
Spectra Fix Vendor(s)
Dick Blick Art Materials, FLAX Art & Design When to Use
Use in a well ventilated area. Product/Service Type
Consumer |
Liquitex Gloss Spray Varnish Manufacturer(s)
Liquitex Vendor(s)
Dick Blick Art Materials When to Use
Wear nitrile gloves while working with this material. Use in a well ventilated area. Product/Service Type
Consumer |
Golden Polymer Varnish w/ UVLS (Gloss) Manufacturer(s)
Golden Artist Colors, Inc. Vendor(s)
Dick Blick Art Materials, FLAX Art & Design When to Use
Wear a N95 mask while working with this material. Use in a well ventilated area. Product/Service Type
Consumer |
Limited
Prohibited
Info on this product category: Varnishes (Artist)
Why Go Green
Many art products contain hazardous ingredients that are harmful to your health and the health of the environment. There are safer alternatives available for most categories of art materials. In case, safer alternatives cannot be used, use the recommended personal protective equipment and ventilation.
Criteria for Varnishes (Artist)
Products should not contain carcinogens, asthmagens, mutagens, endocrine disruptors, neurotoxins and reproductive toxicants.
Last updated
Reports
The Safer Art Products & Practices factsheet helps artists make safer decisions when it comes to purchasing, using and disposing art materials.
Guide for Small Businesses & Homes
Many art products contain hazardous material that should not end up in the trash, recycling or composting bins or be poured down the drain.
Professionals: Call Recology SF's Very Small Quantity Generator Program at (415) 330-1425 to dispose of all art waste.
Hobby Artists: Call (415) 330-1405
Empty clean containers can be recycled in the Recycling bin.
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