Fusion Mineral Paint’s Ultra Grip – Is it necessary?
In this post, we’re doing to discuss the use of Ultra Grip, including a few video tutorials where I talk about it more in depth – when I use it, when I leave it out.
If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you may know that I love using Fusion Mineral Paint for my painted furniture pieces, and I’ve come to learn that Fusion certainly lives up to its name and literally fuses with most surfaces extremely well.
When it comes to glass, metal and super slick surfaces, however, most paints will need a little extra help to maximise adhesion.
That’s when I either paint or roller on (micro-fibre mini rollers work best) a thin layer of Fusion’s Ultra Grip.
Here’s our set of drawers before their makeover:
This set of drawers appear to be a Balinese make with a super slick and glossy surface and are a great example of the type of piece I might use Fusion Ultra Grip on.
Quick Step-by-Step Overview on this Makeover:
- Scuff sand set of drawers to create a “keyed” surface for better adhesion.
- Apply a very thin layer of Fusion Ultra Grip to the slick surface we are wanting to adhere to – the entire piece, even the carved details.
- Apply two coats of Fusion Mineral Paint in colour of your choice – we used Seaside for this piece (product list below).
- Apply a glaze – using Fusion’s Clear Glaze, add a little colour (we used Ash) and mix to form your glaze. Apply to entire surface with a brush and wipe back along the grain of your surface.
- Using Fusion’s Metallic Paints, add some dry brush highlights to the edges and detailed areas of your piece. (Videos to follow will show more details).
Part 1 – Video Demo Using Ultra Grip on a Slick Surface:
Here’s the first live I did demonstrating how to use Fusion’s Ultra Grip (we were live on Fusion’s “Paint it Beautiful” group). The great thing about watching a replay here is that you can rewind if you miss something or skip ahead if you already know exactly what we’re talking about. Here’s the low down and discussion on Ultra Grip:
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Shop the Products I used (Australia wide shipping):
Ultra Grip (500ml or 250ml) – Fusion Mineral Paint
Seaside – Fusion Mineral Paint
Clear Glaze (Mix with any Fusion colour)
Metallic Paints by Fusion Mineral Paint
Part 2 – Video Demo Sharing Tips on Getting a Smooth Finish with Fusion Mineral Paint
After the above video, I continued over on my own Facebook page, sharing a little about Ultra Grip, but also offering some painting tips and showing you some practical steps to getting a smooth finish. I love the Seaside that the audience chose during the first video. I hadn’t painted much with this colour, but it really is a beautiful teal shade.
Once again, feel free to skip through parts, or rewind if you missed something.
Here’s part 2 showing you paint tips for painting with Seaside over Ultra Grip:
Part 3 – Adding a custom glaze over Fusion’s Seaside
After the Seaside had completely dried, I added a little of Fusion colour Ash, to some of Fusion’s Clear Glaze, and brushed it on in sections to create a dark glaze to sit in the valleys of the details and add some depth to this piece.
In this demo, I show you how I mix and add the glaze, and wipe it back to create this dramatic effect, enhancing the details.
Part 4 – Final Touches – Adding Metallic bling!
Finally, I wanted to try something to take this piece to the next level. After adding the drawer pull cup handles, I thought it looked pretty amazing already. But what if we could make this piece “pop” even more and add a little “bling”?!
So here’s a video of how I achieved the finished look, using two Fusion Metallic colours combined, to match in with my bronzy handles.
And the Final Look:
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Shop the Products I used (Australia wide shipping):
Ultra Grip (500ml or 250ml) – Fusion Mineral Paint
Seaside – Fusion Mineral Paint
Clear Glaze (Mix with any Fusion colour)
Metallic Paints by Fusion Mineral Paint
Not in Australia?
I’m also an affiliate for Fusion Mineral Paint in the USA/Canada – use code IRESTORESTUFF at checkout to receive 10% off your order here:
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If you enjoyed this post, there are several other makeovers where I use both Glaze and Metallics. Use the search bar at the top to search any topic you like and find more related posts!
Have a great week. Happy Painting!
Sharon.
FAQ – When Should I use Ultra Grip?
- Fusion’s Ultra Grip™ makes painting the impossible, possible! Its rarely needed as Fusion Mineral Paint adheres to most surfaces (glass, plastic, metal, wood and more) without any primer or Ultra Grip.
- Ultra Grip is normally used on Melamine, Laminate, Thermofoil and highly detailed high gloss areas that can’t be scuff sanded (eg. carved detailed flourishes).
- AN EASY TEST: To determine if you should use Ultra Grip, apply a small amount of paint to your surface. If you get “lacing”, paint separating or beading, this it a typical reaction when a surface is ‘resisting’ the paint.
- HOW TO USE ULTRA GRIP: apply a very thin coat of after you have cleaned your surface and scuff sanded where possible. Ultra Grip is a milky white colour, but dries clear. Allow to dry for 12 hours, then continue with your first coat of Fusion Mineral Paint.
- *IMPORTANT: Ultra grip should be applied using a very thin application as it easily holds texture. Fusion recommends a sponge for application or a microfibre roller or a fine quality brush with a very thin application. If you apply too thick, brush strokes or texture dry clear & undetected, but will then show through on your first coat of paint.
- Ultra grip comes in 500ml which covers approx 75sqft.
- If you have an already existing painted finish, you probably don’t need Ultra Grip. Fusion works well on previously finished surfaces with proper prep. A good clean with Fusion’s TSP and a good scuff with sandpaper is normally all you need for good adhesion.
Great job
Enjoyed your video Tutorial
I have a question please.
I have a front door that is currently painted in a gloss acrylic paint. The surface is in perfect condition I just want to change the colour.This is my plan : wash, TSP, Ultra Grip, ultra grip, thin coat (maybe watered down a little of Oakham then chosen colour, Porters Paint Napoleon (Duck Egg Blue then Porters Crackled Texture and finally Fusion Tough Coat Matt to finish. Am I on the right track, should I include a scuff Sand post cleaning and before the Ultra Grip coat? I will also distress the door gently post the final colour coat and prior to the Matt Tough Coat. I’m going for an aged French Chateau (Shutter )look. My home is MtGambier stone. Really look forward to your feedback as I often have the plan but I need the encouragement or reassurance on my plan. A big wooden front door is a bit of a commitment!
Sounds like a fun project, Robyn. Your gloss front door may not need Ultra Grip if it has been cleaned with TSP and given a light scuff sand. Fusion adheres to acrylic paint no problem. You could test a small inconspicuous area with a little swipe of paint to see if any “lacing” or beading occurs. If not, you are good to paint it without Ultra Grip. When you use Fusion’s Crackle medium, you usually have a base colour, then crackle medium (follow Fusion’s instructions for best use) and then your chosen top coat colour over the top of the Crackle. So from my understanding, you are going to paint the Oakham as the base colour to cover up your original gloss acrylic door colour? If so, then I would use the full strength Oakham, not watered down for best results. Then the Crackle, then your top colour. I have not worked with Porters Paint, so can’t speak to the use of their paints, but if it is a water based similar to Fusion it should work fine. Then, yes, after your distressing, you can add a coat of Matt Tough Coat. Sounds like a great look and if you’d like to share photos, you can send as message to my I Restore Stuff Facebook page, or join my FB group “I Restore Stuff – You Can Too”. I look forward to hearing how you go.
Second email:
Oops I meant to say in the first email that the Crackle Texture product finish I plan to use is the Fusion product..