Imagine if there were no Fusion Mineral Paint UK, and how different our painting styles would be. For me, it doesn’t bear thinking about.
I recall that between 2014 and 2015, there was an undercurrent and shift in trends: tastes were changing towards cleaner lines and darker colours. The introduction of Fusion to our shores saw a complete change in our painting styles and it took our furniture painting to a whole new level.
No longer did we need to just settle for painting rustic pieces of furniture in neutral tones, with a bit of sanding back here and there to give it that “aged” shabby chic look. We could now enter a whole new genre of furniture painting.
It was finally our time to enhance the beauty of the very much on-trend mid-century furniture, with its smooth clean lines which had just been waiting to be adorned with this game-changing silky-smooth paint in those much-needed pops of deep, rich, bold and dramatic colours, yet at the same time allowing the beautiful detailing of the grain to shine through.
Why is Fusion Mineral Paint so special? What is the secret sauce that makes Fusion stand out from the crowd?
I want to share with you my most frequently asked question: why is Fusion Mineral paint so special? Well, there’s not one single reason; but, if I had to pick one key element it would have to be quality, a fundament value woven throughout Fusion’s whole aesthetic.
Fusion’s Philosophy — in their own words
In many ways, it’s very simple — offer high-quality products at fair prices and low environmental impact. But Fusion is so much more than just paint, it’s about how you feel while you’re painting.
At Fusion, we believe wholeheartedly that painting furniture is a way to make something uniquely your own — it’s a way to express your creativity. It’s good for the soul. It’s that magical transformation that happens with a coat of colour, it’s why we do what we do.
Fusion Mineral Paint — a modern company with good old-fashioned family values
Fusion is the brainchild of Jennylyn Pringle, a kind-spirited entrepreneur who has honed her passion for design and DIY creating and developing the Fusion Mineral paint brand with true grit, leading it from its humble beginnings to international success.
Jennylyn’s parents, Loree and Scott Pringle, established their little business Homestead House Paint Company back in 1989 in Toronto, Canada where they remain Co-CEOs of the company today. It is here that Jennylyn spent her informative years honing her painting skills from her mother Loree, a talented painter and faux finisher with over 30 years of experience.
Jennylyn had the forthright vision to create a revolutionary type of furniture paint. One that was not only durable, but would dry quickly to a sleek brush mark-free finish, perfect for modern furniture. Fusion fast became the go-to paint for both professional furniture flippers and novice DIYers. In 2014, Jennylyn launched a new arm of the family business and after ten years of development, relentless research, and testing, Fusion Mineral Paint was released to the market.
What’s the difference between Chalk Paint and Fusion Mineral Paint?
Many people assume that because you paint furniture with it, Fusion is Chalk paint, but this can’t be further from the truth and here’s where the difference lies.
Chalk paints tend to have quite a thick consistency which gives them the coverage. This also means you use more paint and once dry they have a textured porous and powdery matte finish that must be protected with wax or varnish. Waxing can be hard work, messy, smelly, sticky, time-consuming and patchy.
Prep, aside from a good clean, is discouraged as the chalk paint will stick to the surface to a certain extent, but it doesn’t contain any actual adhesion properties. Sanding or removing the varnish can lead to serious bleed-through due to its porous properties and it will absorb any stains like a sponge.
Whilst chalk paint is very soft it can be sanded and distressed easily, but applying decorative effects with waxes is easily absorbed and virtually impossible to remove if you make a mistake.
Fusion could not be more different from chalk paint. It has a much thinner consistency which doesn’t compromise its excellent coverage, which means it goes further in thin, smooth coats.
It’s self-levelling which means you won’t be left with textured brush marks once it has dried.
A clean and scuff sand to dull shiny surfaces is all that is required as preparation.
Fusion is a foundation to finish all in one paint. It has a built-in primer offering excellent adhesion properties and it has a built-in top coat which gives it its highly durable impermeable surface. Waxes can be applied to add depth and interest but can be quickly removed if the effect is not as desired.
One thing I will say though, is that if it wasn’t for chalk paint there would not have been the huge furniture painting revival which has ignited the passion for upcycling furniture across the world, creating the awareness and the importance of giving these pieces a new lease of life.
It is no doubt that thanks to those early Chalk paints that Jennylyn took those building blocks and added to the mix her expertise and inspiration to create Fusion Mineral Paint.
The Fusion Difference – only the best is good enough
Fusion’s superpower is its formulation. It features 100% highest-grade industrial-strength resin, delivering a best-in-class, world-leading paint.
Using only the finest ingredients available on the market, every batch has a reference number ensuring you can always be sure multiples of the same colour are identical. Every batch undergoes a rigorous quality control process to ensure the paint will not separate, discolour, or harden during its guaranteed unopened shelf life of seven years.
Fusion’s results are nothing less than spectacular, providing furniture painters a best-in-class paint that features; an environmentally conscious formulation, superior durability, easy one-step application and significantly improved strength. Delivering an exceptional matte finish, this 100% acrylic paint requires minimal prep work.
Fusion Mineral Paint Shelf Life once opened
Even after you have opened your Fusion, its performance will remain the same and will last for years providing the paint is sealed properly after each use and it is not exposed to extreme heat or constant freezing.
Fusion Mineral Paint — Foundation to Finish All in One
Fusion Mineral has great adhesion properties enabling the paint to stick like glue, plus the built-in top coat adds protection qualities to the surface to prevent scuffs and scratches for those high-traffic areas.
The Fusion Features — Unique and outstanding in its class
The formulation of Fusion Mineral Paint is not only a secret but it is formulated to a unique recipe meaning there is no comparison or duplicate paint available on the market.
Fusion contains only environmentally eco-conscious ingredients
Fusion Mineral Paint is water-based and the containers are made from 30% recycled materials.
All Fusion products are non-toxic, lead-free and virtually odourless and contain no ammonia or formaldehyde.
Fusion requires minimum preparation
By following a few simple guidelines, Fusion can be applied to most previously painted and coated surfaces without the need for extensive prep work or primer.
Fusion contains great adhesion properties
It’s the unique industrial grade 100% acrylic resin that gives Fusion its incredible adhesion properties, giving the paint the ability to fuse onto surfaces.
Fusion doesn’t require a topcoat varnish. When fully dry it is both durable and waterproof
The top coat in the form of 100% acrylic resin is built into the formulation of the paint. This gives the paint a durable, waterproof, washable and stain-resistant surface.
Not only is it fantastic for painting furniture, but for painting kitchens, banisters, windows and front doors, as well as fabric and leather. In fact, Fusion can be applied to most surfaces with the correct but minimal preparation, such as metal, plastic, melamine, brick, and terracotta.
Fusion is really easy to apply
With its ease of flow, Fusion can be applied using your favourite synthetic bristle brush such as Cling-On! or Zibra or by microfibre roller such as Two Fussy Blokes or Staalmeester. You can even apply Fusion using a paint sprayer.
Fusion offers great coverage
A 500ml (1 pint) pot of Fusion will cover up to 75 square feet. 1–2 coats are usually all you need.
Fusion has created this handy guide which shows you at a glance the coverage you can expect to achieve.
Fusion is self-levelling
See brush marks disappear before your very eyes, leaving your painted surfaces with a smooth and professional spray-like finish.
Fusion is quick-drying
Fusion is touch dry after 30 minutes and can be recoated within 1-2 hours. Fusion is fully cured (totally dry) after 21 days, however, painted surfaces can be used with care after 24-48 hours.
Fusion can be used indoors and outdoors
Fusion is not only waterproof and stain-resistant but also contains a UV filter which means it won’t fade when exposed to sunlight.
Fusion has a great range of colours and they make choosing easy breezy
Fusion likes to keep it fresh when it comes to colour with over 50 shades in the core Fusion Mineral Paint range and over 10 shades in their annual limited-release shades. Fusion also releases a collection of new colours annually which is always something to look forward to with anticipation.
To accompany all of these shades Fusion offers two pairing suggestions to help you choose your desired look.
In addition, Fusion also has over 50 colour recipes which you can make by just two simple methods:
- add a tester to a 500ml pot
- 50/50 mix
You can also discover recipes including annual Pantone colour releases (e.g. 2018's Ultra Violet).
Fusion also makes it easy for you to find your perfect colour:
- Printed colour chart, with additional prep info
- Real paint chip colour chart, with additional prep info
- Real colour fan deck, with 50 colour recipes
- Handy tester pots in all colours
Fusion Mineral Paint Range – far more than just paint
To complement their exceptional mineral paint. Fusion has created and curated a bespoke collection of products to assist you right from the preparation, the application, to the finishing and the accent touches.
Fusion Mineral Paint offers versatility like none other
You can apply Fusion Mineral paint for a sleek and modern look, or blend colours and create ombres, or create a weather-worn aged chippy vintage look and add texture, or water it down to create a wash.
Fusion provides lots of handy tutorials and product information
To make sure you get the very best out of any of your Fusion Mineral Paint products, Fusion has made access to this information easy for you.
They have put together easy-to-follow product and how to guides.
There is also:
And, of course, you can also ask your friendly local stockist for advice!
My Fusion Conclusion
I remember the first time I heard about Fusion Mineral Paint. I was renting space in a shop with a fellow upcycler and they asked me to try take the paint home and try it that night and report back on my findings the following day because they were considering being a stockist.
I took home a tester pot of Sterling and painted a small table with it. I was so impressed by the coverage, I managed to paint a whole coffee table with just 37ml of paint and there was still some left over. The finish when dry was silky smooth and not a brush mark in sight.
I left the table to dry overnight, then the following morning I did a little scratch test and not only had it adhered to the surface of the table like glue, but my scratching efforts didn’t even mark the surface. Needless to say, I reported my findings the following day and the rest shall we say is history.
Seven years later I have my own little shop and, you guessed it: I’m a very proud stockist of the full Fusion Mineral paint range based here in Derbyshire.
You really can Paint it Beautiful with Fusion Mineral Paint, so why not treat yourself to a pot and start your very own Fusion journey today?
1 comment
So pleased I found your site and thank you for sharing all the info. Can’t wait for a workshop to become available