For the past 3 months, you've donated every spare waking moment (and moments where you should have been sleeping) to placing thousands of tiny diamonds in little squares. 

And now, like magic, you stand back and marvel at a gorgeous Diamond Painting of your own making.

Shine on, you crazy Diamond Painting. 

As time goes on, you'll want your Diamond Painting to look and feel as gorgeous as the day you finished it. So what can you do to keep your artwork perfect for years to come? 

How To Seal Your Finished Diamond Painting

Sealing your Diamond Painting will lock all of the diamonds in place and significantly increase the longevity of your finished project. 

If you plan to hang your Diamond Painting or use Stretcher Bars to showcase it, it's crucial you first seal your finished painting.  

Brush-On Sealers 

Brush-On Sealers present an all-in-one solution to preserving your Diamond Painting for years to come. They come in a variety of finishes and consistencies depending on your personal preference. 

Pros: Functions as an all-in-one glue, sealer, and finish. Water resistant, so perfect if you're mounting your kit on a foam board or framing without glass - makes it easy to dust. 

Cons: The big con is that some shine will be lost after sealing. Also, you won't be able to roll up your paintings after the sealer has been applied.

Our Recommendation: DecoArt's Triple Thick Glaze. In our experience, it has the perfect consistency, makes the canvas firm and sturdy, and retains as much sparkle as possible. For a slightly cheaper alternative, you can't go wrong with the classic Mod Podge. 

You Should Know: Using Mod Podge Glitter reduces the shininess of the diamonds and replaces it with the 'micro-fine' glitter in the sealer. Some people might not like the look, so be careful when choosing finishes. 

How To Seal Your Finished Diamond Painting

As a safety precaution, put pets and children in a separate room while you apply the sealer. 

Step 1: Make sure all diamonds are properly set by applying weight or using a rolling pin. 

Use the same technique you used initially to flatten out your canvas when you first got it. The goal is to make sure all diamonds are completely flat and locked tight to the canvas adhesive.

Pro Tip: Place an old tee shirt on the canvas to avoid scratching or breaking any diamonds.

Step 2: Dip the tip of your craft brush into your jar of brush-on sealer.

You can use just about any type of brush - foam or bristled. Our official recommendation is the Mod Podge Paint Brush Applicator (pictured) - it's just the right size to give you lots of control over where you apply the sealer. 

Step 3: Begin to apply the sealer to your canvas in broad strokes. 

The sealer will go on a thick white at first and look a bit like glue, but will become more transparent as it dries. Apply a thick, but full coating - no need to see globs of the stuff spilling over!  

The glue will make its way it between each and every diamond, hardening over the next day. 

What About Spray Sealers?

Aerosol spray sealers are used to coat the finished Diamond Painting in a crystal-clear finish. They do not function as a glue, so they don't fill the gaps in between your diamonds (like tile grouting!). 

• Pros: Helps retain your diamond sparkle over time. It's waterproof, non-yellowing, and dries very quickly. Also, you're still able to roll up your finished canvas. 
• Cons: Doesn't help cement drills to the canvas; any gaps between drills will remain unfilled.

Our Recommendation: We personally use Mod Podge® to seal all of our glass-framed Diamond Paintings. It's super easy to apply (just spray it on), non-toxic, and comes in different finishes and formulas. 

• Mod Podge Super Gloss: We recommend the Super Gloss variety to preserve the shininess of your Diamond Painting.  
• Mod Podge Matte Gloss: Only use matte sealer spray if you want your Diamond Painting to be LESS shiny! 
• Mod Podge Pearlized Gloss: This flavor will give your painting an extra pearly sheen to it. It's meant to add an extra little sparkle. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: Can I use sealers with Partial Drill Kits? 

A: Yes, but go with a smaller brush! As much as possible, you want to avoid getting sealant on the parts of the canvas that have no diamonds. 

Q: Can I use sealers with Round Drill Kits?

Yes - sealing Round Drill kits works just as well as Square Drill. 

Have any helpful tips about sealing your Diamond Painting? Leave them in the comments section!