Alchemy by Fusion is a chalk-style paint known for its flat, chalky finish and artistic flexibility. It’s highly pigmented and a little thicker in texture, highly blendable, easy to layer and distress, making it perfect for achieving unique, textured looks. Adding a touch of water or misting while painting is a common desire among painters and it works very well with Alchemy. Fusion Mineral Paint has a very high built-in durability and a modern, self-sealing finish, Alchemy allows for creative freedom by letting you choose your preferred topcoat or leave it as is for a soft, flat vintage look.

Alchemy offers excellent adhesion to most surfaces with minimal prep work. While sanding and priming are rarely necessary, we recommend cleaning the surface to remove dust and grease. For slick surfaces like laminate or glass, a light scuff sand will improve adhesion.

Alchemy is best suited for indoor projects as it is not designed for exterior durability. 

Alchemy dries quickly, typically within 30 minutes to an hour. However, humidity, temperature, and application thickness can affect drying time. For best results, allow 1-2 hours between coats.

Absolutely! You can mix Alchemy colours together to create custom shades. This makes it easy to achieve a personalized colour palette for your projects.

We recommend a top coat in areas prone to water or heavy use to prevent marking. For added sheen, durability, or protection, we recommend:

• Tough Coat or Ultra Guard for a smooth, durable finish in high-traffic areas.
• Furniture Wax or tinted waxes for a subtle sheen and added dimension.
• Gel Stain & Topcoat for a rich, aged effect.

Dark, ultra-matte finishes like Alchemy’s Onyx are stunning, but they do come with a few quirks. Because Alchemy is a chalk-style paint and does not have the built-in topcoat that Fusion™ Mineral Paint does, darker colours can show fingerprints, light marring, and dust more easily when left unsealed. These aren’t flaws—just part of the character of true flat finishes—and they can often be wiped clean with a damp cloth.

For added protection and easier maintenance, applying a topcoat is a great option. However, it’s important to choose the right one. Water-based polyurethanes with standard matte finishes can sometimes soak in too quickly on porous paints, especially over rich dark shades, causing the colour to appear cloudy or muted.

That’s why we developed Ultra Guard, a water-based polyurethane that levels beautifully over both light and dark colours. It maintains the richness of colours like Onyx without streaking or dulling the finish.

Other topcoat options include:

• Furniture Wax or Beeswax Finish for a soft, velvety feel
• Stain & Finishing Oil in Natural for added depth and durability

See Ultra Guard in action over Coal Black:
https://fusionmineralpaint.com/protect-your-coffee-table…/

Compare all our topcoats here:
https://fusionmineralpaint.com/topcoat-showdown…/

Alchemy is fantastic for furniture makeovers, but for high-traffic surfaces like kitchen cabinets, we highly recommendFusion Mineral Paint, as it is self-sealing and built for durability. Or you can apply a durable topcoat over Alchemy for heavier traffic areas. 

Alchemy works best with:

• Staalmeester® Natural Bristle Brushes for a textured, vintage look.
• Staalmeester® Synthetic Brushes for a smoother application.
• Round or Oval Brushes for blending and layering.
• Alchemy Chalk-Style Brushes (available in the Alchemy Starter Kit) for the ultimate Alchemy painting experience.

Alchemy is perfect for distressing! You can achieve an aged look by:

• Light sanding along edges and raised areas.
• Using a damp cloth to subtly remove paint in specific areas (a dust-free alternative to sanding).
• Layering colours and sanding through the layers for depth and dimension.
• Add Fresco! The ultimate tool to pair with Alchemy that will create texture and dimension for your chosen colours to play around.

Yes! Alchemy by Fusion is a water-based paint, making it safe for indoor use with minimal odour.

• One Pint (500mL) covers approximately 75 sq. ft. (about the size of a large dresser).
• One 120mL jar covers around 18 sq. ft., perfect for small projects or accents.

Yes! Alchemy is your creative partner and loves to be paired with all sorts of added art and embellishments. 

Yes absolutely! Just make sure there is no pre-existing wax on the surface, and remove any loose debris or dust and paint! 

We designed Alchemy to be a creative partner, brush in hand. An artistic tool that is therapeutic with every brush stroke. Because of this, our paints are not intended for use in spray applications. Homestead House, Fusion and Alchemy paints are non-toxic in liquid form, but when sprayed, they can be broken down into small enough molecules to be breathed in. Small particles such as these can be inhaled, and may have adverse health effects.