The question of whether or not acrylic paint can be used successfully on various surfaces has been asked many times over the years, with people often coming up with all sorts of different answers.
Introduction to Using Acrylic Colours
Acrylic paints are simple to use and clean to handle, which makes them suitable in a wide range of fine art, decorative and craft applications. Acrylic paint can colour practically anything. It is resilient and flexible and can be applied to all kinds of surfaces. While used by artists on stretched prepared canvas, paper or board, acrylics can also be applied to wood, leather, paper-mache, fabric, cement, glass, brick, pottery – almost any non-greasy surface.
Acrylics are extremely versatile. They can be used straight from the tube; brushed, poured or sprayed. They can be applied in thin layers of transparent glazes or applied in thick impasto brush strokes. Diluted with water, they can be used in washed or used as a dye-like stain on fabric or wood. They are suitable for airbrushing, marbling, fabric painting and stencilling. When blended with different mediums a wide range of surfaces and textures can be created. KROMA acrylic colours are fully compatible with other brands of high quality artist’s acrylic paints. However, as some student grade acrylic paint is made using resin that is not 100% acrylic, we advice testing before blending KROMA acrylic colours with paint that is not labeled artist’s or professional quality.
Brushes and tools should be kept from drying and should be washed with soap and water. Stuck lids can be loosened by immersing jar in hot water, which softens the film of dried paint on the threads.
A quick lowdown on some technical terms:
Pigments: very small insoluble particles; the raw material that gives paint its colour.
Hue: colour, independent of how dark or light it is, or how dull or clean it is.
Saturation: the degree of a colour’s brilliance or dullness independent of its hue.
Tonal Value: how light or dark a colour is.
Medium: the clear body of the paint without pigment added. Used to extend paint to make a colour “go further”, as a final coat, or for image transfer or mixed media work.
Gesso: primer for preparing surfaces for painting in acrylic or oil.
Mass Tone: colour applied thickly, straight from the tube.
Under Tone: colour applied thinly or diluted by medium or water, usually increasing translucency and allowing for the under colour to shine through, increasing the vibrancy of colour.
Tint Strength
Pigments differ from each other in many ways, one of which is tint strength. These examples show a high and low tint strength pigment of a similar colour. Each mix was made with the same proportions of colour to white. High tint strength pigments, though usually more expensive are more powerful, stronger, colours and so “go further” when extended with mediums, diluted, or used in tints. Low tint strength pigments are often more natural looking colours and because they are usually more opaque, have better coverage. Low tint strengths are easier to work with when making precise colour adjustments in small increments.
Desaturate with Earthtones
When you don’t want bright colours, what do you do? There is more than one way to adjust colours to make them less saturated (duller). The trouble with using black is that it often shifts the colour as it dulls it down. By choosing an earth tone pigment that is a similar hue to the colour that you wish to dull, you can desaturate without shifting the colour. Yellow oxide is good to desaturate yellows, for example, while red oxide, is good to desaturate reds. Raw titanium is a white that has not been fully bleached. It can be used as a convenient way to lighten colours and desaturate them at the same time.
Consider Transparency
Pigments have many different properties, one of which is their degree of transparency, or translucency; how much light will pass through the pigment particles. Here is an example of a more transparent pigment, sap green, next to a more opaque pigment chromium oxide green. The transparent pigment seems to glow, with an undertone of a fuller and lighter colour – you can see into the paint layer. The opaque pigment reflects light off the top surface and not from within – the white of the paper is hidden. Opaque pigments are often less bright, more natural looking colours, which are better able to hide the underlying surface.
Use and Glazing Technique
By diluting paint with clear acrylic medium or water and applying thin translucent layers onto a white or light coloured background, you will achieve a lighter colour, while keeping the colour saturation high. The phthalo blue square below, which was lightened by glazing, appears to be more brilliant than the one lightened with titanium white to the same tonal value, which has a more “pastel” appearance. This effect is most pronounced when using high tint strength transparent pigments.
Add Some Sheen
When a painted surface is matte, light is scattered when it reflects off its surface. All colours can be made shinier by adding gloss medium to the paint of by adding a coat of feeling of depth. By making your painting shiny you will allow more colour from within the paint to reach your eyes and less light will scatter from the surface. See applying acrylic medium in the technical tips section.
Applying Acrylic Mediums
Before they are dry, acrylic mediums appear milky-white. When dry they become perfectly clear. They can be added to acrylic colours without limit.
Our three clear mediums have been formulated to have different viscosities. By diluting the gel medium with water you will create a liquid which may have the same consistency as fluid medium, but because it will contain less resin solids it will create a weaker and thinner film when dry.
Artist’s quality paint is formulated to have maximum pigment loading. We put as much ground pigment in the acrylic resin as is possible in relation to the properties of each individual pigment. While artist’s colours can be used straight out of the tube or jar, using a variety of clear mediums can vastly increase the range of effects that can be achieved. Because artist’s paint is a highly concentrated product, clear mediums can be used to extend the paint, to make it go further. This is especially true when working with more expensive, high tint strength colours, like dioxazine violet, for example. To extend the paint without considerably altering its viscosity, matte medium is a good choice. Adding gel medium will make the paint slightly thicker, while fluid medium will create a fluid paint.
Some colours are so strong in tint strength that they look very dark, almost black, in their unaltered form. By adding clear acrylic medium it allows the colour to be more visible by making a more transparent film. By adding clear medium to the paint and applying it in layers you can achieve a depth of colour and a type of colour mixing that is not possible in any other way. This technique is called glazing, and is particularly effective with high tint strength, transparent pigments like phthalos and quinacridones. Fluid medium is suitable for use in this technique because its flow properties allow thin, even layers to be made easily without holding brush strokes. Because acrylic is fast drying, it is a convenient material for this type of painting.
Artist’s colours are made up of two main ingredients, pigment and acrylic resin. The acrylic is the binder that holds the pigment together in a strong film. Clear mediums are essentially paints without colours. Acrylic resin is methylmethylacrylate, the same material that is in acrylic sheeting, known as plexiglass or perspex. Unlike most other plastic resins, acrylic has outstanding lightfastness and weatherfastness. Most other plastics break down in ultraviolet light exposure, and are subject to yellowing and brittleness. Acrylic’s resistance to ultraviolet light and outstanding optical clarity make it a top quality artist’s material. It is one of the clearest substances available.
For these reasons clear acrylic mediums are suitable as a “varnish” type coating for finished work. Because different pigments have different sheens, some areas of a painting may appear shinier than other areas. Artists sometimes prefer to unify the sheen of a finished painting by applying a layer of clear medium to its surface. Using fluid medium as a clear coat will make the colours appear more saturated because its sheen is glossy. Using matte medium as a clear coat will diminish glare. It is only the sheen of the last layer applied to a surface that will determine its final sheen.
Since they don’t yellow or get brittle, these mediums are also suitable as a final protective layer on top of papier-mâché and mixed media work. They are especially useful in collage and decoupage as they perform both as an archival quality adhesive and as a clear coat.
While gesso is more usual in preparing canvas for painting, clear mediums can also be used. In order to create a complete seal the first layer of medium can be diluted with water so that it can soak in and penetrate the fibers of the fabric. Subsequent layers should be used full strength.
Oil painters usually have several types of oil on hand as well as turpentine for diluting. Acrylic painters will get the most out of their colours, and broaden their repertoire of techniques when they have different types of clear acrylic medium available to modify their paints, as well as water as their dilutant.
Projects and Techniques
Different Surfaces
Acrylics can be applied to almost any non-greasy surface. Kroma acrylics are ideal for colouring or decorating many surfaces as they are flexible and waterproof once dry. All the colours are lightfast and (with the exception of zinc white and cadmium red and yellows), are suitable for use in outdoor projects. For the best adhesion, a smooth, glossy surface should be lightly abraded before applying paint and should be free of all wax and oil.
Murals
Acrylic paints are ideal for use in mural work. In fact the very first acrylics were formulated for the work of Mexican muralists in the 1950’s.
House paints, though available in many colours, always contain opacifiers for coverage, so tend to be more subdued and give less vibrant colours than artist’s acrylics. The most important factor in successful adhesion is the suitability and preparation of the underlying surface. Previously painted walls should be thoroughly cleaned with a commercial strength cleaner, then lightly abraded with sandpaper to create a rough surface for the acrylic paint to grip on to. A problematic wall can still be used for a mural if panels of plywood or other suitable material can be affixed securely.
All the KROMA colours are suitable for indoor murals. For outdoor mural painting there are, however, some colour considerations to be noted. Though rated excellent in lightfastness, the cadmium colours are not considered weatherfast, being especially sensitive to the combination of light and moisture, and so outdoor use of these colours should be avoided. Suitable alternatives can be found in the hansa and napthol ranges. Zinc white has a tendency to “chalk” when used outdoors and so titanium white should be used instead.
In some locations it may be appropriate to apply a clear protective layer over a mural to prevent damage from scuffing and dirt in high use areas or to allow for the easy removal of possible graffiti. Solvent based clear “Varathane” products or commercially available “Anti-graffiti” coatings can be used for this purpose, but the mural must be fully cured before this process and there must be no possibility for moisture to become trapped under the sealed surface, or blistering and adhesion problems may occur. Using a water-based sealant will allow the acrylic paint to breathe, and allow moisture to escape, but may be less durable. Note that some non-acrylic clear coats may yellow with age.
Fabric Painting
Paint marketed as “fabric paint” is usually a specially formulated acrylic paint. KROMA acrylics are also suitable for most fabric painting applications. The colours can be used directly on fabric, lightly diluted with water to a brushable consistency. To apply an even colour to a larger area, the paint should be diluted further to allow it to penetrate the fabric. The amount that the paint should be diluted will depend on the weight of the fabric and the style of the painting. Heat setting is not required, but for the paint to be fully cured allow four days to dry in a warm non-humid place. Once fully dry the paint is permanent and machine washable.
In theatre and film industry acrylics are used in “break-down” to make costumes and props appear appropriately distressed or worn.
Painting on Wood
KROMA paint can be applied directly onto woonden surfaces. Opaque colours, such as the earth tones and cadmiums are easiest to work with on wood. To show up well on wood, the brighter, more transparent colours, like pthalos and quinacridones should be blended with white, or applied in diluted layers over a light background.
Unprimed wood, such as the red cedar used in traditional west coast native work, may tend to draw the paint into or along the grain preventing sharp edges from being drawn easily with the brush. To Prevent this “bleeding” the wood can be prepared or “sized” with several layers of diluted clear acrylic medium.
An additional layer of clear acrylic medium can be added to the finished work to create a uniform sheen.
Airbrushing and Marbling
Airbrushing can be used in super-realist paintings, soft shadows and highlights, or simply to create a uniform surface without brush marks. For use in an airbrush we recommend thinning KROMA paint with water and clear fluid acrylic medium. The exact proportions required will vary from colour to colour, as each pigment has different characteristics. The full extent of a transparent pigment’s brightness and hue can be most clearly seen when airbrushed in layers over a white surface.
Similarly KROMA acrylics can be used diluted with fluid acrylic medium in marbling techniques.
Gel Transfer
A layer of clear acrylic gel can be used to transfer a photocopied image onto a different surface such as a stone tile, canvas, or a T-shirt. Once the gel is dry the paper that the image was on is soaked off in water.
Collage and Papermache
Clear acrylic mediums and gels can be used as archival quality adhesives in collage, decoupage and mixed media work. They will remain flexible and will not crack or yellow with age. they will noticeably outperform and ‘glue’ (which is often polyvinyl acetate) for this type of work. They can also be used to coat finished work, to strengthen and protect, or to create a unified sheen. The acrylic medium and artists colours are also great for paper mache projects for the same reasons and with the additional benefit of adding strength and flexibility to the object.
Kroma is located in the heart of Sen̓áḵw, on the traditional, unceded, and occupied territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples.
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1649 Duranleau Street • Vancouver, B.C. • V6H 3S3 • [email protected]
How to Apply Acrylic Paint on Plastic?
Despite the problems that acrylic paint has with plastic surfaces, there are still many reasons why you might want to use it on these materials.
Get Rid of Contaminants
One way to get around this issue is by using a special gluestick-like product known as Plastic Prep, which can be applied first and smoothed over any surface in order to create a smooth canvas for the acrylic to work on. Then when you apply your normal acrylic paints onto these prepared surfaces they shouldn’t move or shift at all once dry — so you should have much better results.
If you don’t want to spend extra on cleaning, you can go with regular dish soap and water wash for the plastic as well.
Apply Primer Coat
The next step is to prime the surface of the plastic with several layers of another type of paint like latex, oil, or gouache before applying your own acrylic paint.
These layers will help to seal in the surface and form a smooth, even canvas for your paint to go on top of.
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Other things that you can try include using extra-thick gesso or glue (like plastic cement) in order to cover the underlying surface more effectively, with these too capable of creating the smoothness which acrylic paints require in order to work well.
However, we do recommend using spray primers that are specifically made for use on plastic surfaces. These will work best compared to the other two methods we talked about.
When trying out different options for getting your acrylic paints onto a plastic surface you will need to keep an eye open for any problems which occur, such as warping, bubbling, cracking, or peeling off — all of which may be signs that something has gone wrong. And if this happens then it’s probably best to stop what you are doing, clean up the surface as best you can, and then start again with a new layer of primer or some different paints in order to try and get better results.
See also How to Fix Lumpy Acrylic Paint in 3 Easy Ways?
Best Primer For Acrylic Painting on Plastic
There are hundreds, if not thousands of choices available when it comes to primers for plastic surfaces. But there are only a few models that would solve your problem. We review the one we liked the most-
Rust-Oleum 209460 Plastic Primer Spray Review
One of the hardest surfaces to paint is a plastic item. Rust-Oleum offers a product made specifically for this surface that gives you so many options and results when painting with any topcoat including acrylic one.
It could be your mailbox on the front porch, a storage locker in your backroom, or even just replacing the original color of our lawn chair with something new and better!
A wide variety of colors are available too – you don’t have to settle for something boring because you want an easier way to paint plastic items without it bubbling up all over. That’s what Rust-Oleum is here for! Try the primer – it doesn’t take much time or money out of your pocket and you won’t regret it as soon as it dries.
- Fast-drying primer
- Works great on almost any type of surfaces
- Creates a hard bond with plastic
- Makes it easy to stick acrylic paint on plastic surfaces
Applying Acrylic Paint On Plastic
Acrylics are applied on top of a plastic surface just like they would be to any other type of material, using water-based mediums and brushes to create works of art. You may also want to use an airbrush for more detailed work, though this may not give you as good results with acrylic paint when compared to the other types we mentioned; since airbrushes often have difficulties properly sealing in acrylic paint and can end up causing more problems than they are worth.
However, what you may find is that acrylics do not spread out evenly over the whole surface — which means that you will need to apply several layers before it dries so that the entire area has a uniform coating.
If you’re planning on making something that requires a lot of color variation, like a painting with lots of bright pigments or shades, then taking this extra step can be an absolute must.
Plus, you may need more than a coat of paint to get the desired result. So, be prepared for using acrylic paint twice or thrice on the same area before you see the perfect color.
What is the Best Acrylic Paint for Plastic?
The answer to this question depends on what you plan to do with your painting. If it’s going to be used as an art piece and hung on a wall, then any good quality paint will work fine.
However, if you want it to look like a real object, or need it to adhere better than regular paints, then there are some special paints made just for that purpose. These often have more solvents in them and are less likely to peel off over time. They also tend not to leave brush strokes behind which can detract from the illusion of depth created by shadows in the painting itself.
Here is our recommendation-
Krylon K05131507 ColorMaster Paint + Primer Review
I’m an artist and one of the best products I’ve found when painting is Krylon ColorMaster.
This product lets you skip over the hassle of using primers because it’s also a primer AND paint, which means your painting project can go from being 10 steps to 5.
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The best part about this range of paints is that they’re fast-drying, meaning there will be more opportunities for tweaking as you create different layers.
Painting with these felt quick and painless since I could do so in just 10 minutes instead of having to wait several hours like other expensive brands would require me to. Do you know what makes this even better? They have various colors which allow you to customize your furniture or wall art in whatever way matches your style!
- Dries faster than most other similar products
- Comes at a reasonable price
- Bonds strong against plastic surfaces
- Paint and Primer in one cuts short the work process
- Spectacular color outcomes when dried
Let the Paint Dry
Acrylic becomes transparent when it is dry, so if the underlying surface is not properly covered beforehand then you may find that your final work has some patches in which the true colors are revealed.
Also, remember to keep any plastic surfaces you plan on using with acrylic paints out of direct sunlight as much as possible — these materials can become hot and warp if they are exposed to too much UV light for extended periods of time.
See also Will Acrylic Paint Kill Plants? [Plant Safe Spray Paints]
Seal the Paint
In addition to that, you may also want to seal the acrylic surface after it has dried using a clear sealer or topcoat in order to improve your painting’s durability and reduce how likely impacts will damage it.
If you are planning on using this technique for any sort of commercial application then we definitely recommend adding these extra layers as they will help to protect the work as much as possible.
An important thing to remember with acrylic paints after they have dried is that you should not use any solvents on top of other types, since this can cause them to lose their friction and fall off easily during use.
Best Acrylic Paint Sealer for Durability
Acrylic is a type of water-based paint, which means it’s not as strong and durable as oil-based paints. For that reason, acrylic needs to be sealed with an appropriate sealant in order to last longer. Here is what we recommend to get things right for the beginners-
Krylon K01305 Gallery Series Artist and Clear Coatings Aerosol Review
Aren’t you tired of your paintings getting ruined because the humidity outside is messing with them? No more do you have to worry about that with Krylon Gallery Series Clear Coatings.
They’re made specifically for all types of artwork and apply in minutes without smudging or leaving any sort of residue on the original artwork.
Plus, it protects against harmful UV light rays so no fear about fading from the sun during a hot summer day! Doesn’t it sound like an amazing product already?
For preserving the new-looking shine on your artwork and having an extra layer of protection against minor scratches, we found this one a true deal-breaker at the price point.
- Prevents paintings from getting yellowish
- Preserves that new-looking shine for a long period
- Resistant to humid weather
- Fast drying properties make it go past the competitors
- UV rays protection makes it a must for sun-exposed artworks
Ways to Use Acrylic Paint On Plastic Surface: Summary
So overall we would recommend against using acrylics on plastic surfaces because they are not flexible enough in order to do this effectively.
However, if you really want to use acrylic paints on a plastic surface in some capacity they can be applied over surfaces that have already been treated with primers specifically made for that purpose — though you should be warned that the results may not be what you’re looking for!
Basing your decision upon whether or not you want to clean all the resin off is an issue since it’s going to build up anyway unless you wipe it down every time you play and then reapply new layers of primer. You might as well just put up with slight irregularities and imperfections if they aren’t in noticeable areas permanently showing through the paint.
How to Make Acrylic Paint Stick to Plastic?
Even though acrylic on the plastic surface may not be the best, it is still possible and can still give you great-looking results if you just know what you’re doing. Make sure that all your materials are clean and dry before starting, then simply follow these steps and we’re sure everything will turn out fine!
Make the Plastic Surface Rough
Use fine-grit sandpaper to roughen up the surface of your plastic materials so that they are not slick and smooth like glass. This will prevent acrylic paint from running down the sides when it dries, making sure that you’re able to keep your colors right where you want them to be.
Use a Coat of Primer
Acrylic paint will stick to most surfaces better when they are treated with primer first. Just like we said before, some acrylics may not stay where you put them if they are applied directly onto plastic without any sort of base coat.
Use a Plastic Brush or Sponge
Instead of using a regular, hard paintbrush on your acrylic paints, you may want to consider switching it out for something that is made of soft plastic instead. This way you’ll also get to benefit from the paint sticking to the surface better.
Use High-Bonding Paint
There are also paints out there designed to stay on plastic longer. Make sure you’re using the right kind for what you’re trying to achieve.
Use Acrylic Sealer for Further Strengthen the Bond
After you’ve applied your paint, you may want to consider sealing it with a clear sealer. This will help to hold the paint in place even better and prevent any sort of peeling or cracking after it has dried.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you keep acrylic paint from cracking on plastic?
This is a question I get asked fairly often.
See also How to Dispose of Acrylic Paint – 5 Easy Ways
I can tell people that I have used acrylics on several types of plastics and never had an issue with cracking, but it doesn’t help them much if they are using a different color or type of plastic.
As long as you use decent quality paint on clean plastic it should work fine.
Acrylic paint actually looks great on plastic as long as you follow the guidelines we have prescribed above. The only time I’ve seen acrylic crack was when a person had used cheap craft paints on dirty, oiled, or greasy surfaces.
One tip for using paint on plastic is to roll the sealed surface and then brush over it lightly. This should prevent the paint from cracking in most cases.
What kind of paint can be used on plastic?
Acrylic and latex paints should be fine. However, oil-based enamel paints may not work as well on plastic because of their higher solvent content.
Generally speaking, you can use almost any kind of spray paint on plastic. Just make sure the paint is not corrosive. And it is recommended that you check the product for a clear indication of adhesion to plastic surfaces. This will make things a lot easier.
The other way to check if a paint will stick to plastic is applying on a small plastic object that’s made of similar materials for that you purchased the paint.
Is acrylic paint permanent on plastic?
Yes, the paint will remain on plastic as long as you applied the paint correctly following the procedures we have mentioned above.
If not, it will eventually start to peel and crack. The paints are easy to remove from plastic. So, keep the artwork safe from external interventions even after the curation process
It also means that the acrylic can be easily removed from your plastic surfaces when you need to do so, without causing any damage to the plastic itself. So you should not worry about that either.
Is it okay to use spray paint for plastic?
You can use spray paint without any problem or fear of the quality of the product getting affected. As a matter of fact, spray painting is one of the best and most recommended methods of getting your work done, especially if you are a beginner.
Do you need to seal acrylic paint on plastic?
Yes, we recommend that you seal acrylic paint on plastic.
If you want to protect your acrylic painting, a spray-on varnish or UV gloss medium is recommended. Be aware that not all paints are created equal and some acrylics can yellow and darken with time. So, sealing is necessary to preserve the actual color. Plus, it will act as an added protection over the paint.
Do you need special spray paint for plastic?
Yes, you should get those that are specifically made to adhere to plastic, just like the correct adhesive to glue plastic together.
Regular paint will just flake off of the surface because the surface itself does not provide enough cling.
As we know, there are two kinds of material: porous and non-porous. Porous materials allow air or fluid to get into their structure, while non-porous materials do not allow that to happen.
Plastic is nonporous, which means that water will not penetrate the surface of the smooth plastic.
When you apply acrylic spray to it, it won’t stick well due to the non-porous nature of the surface unless you prepare the plastic before with priming or other methods we have described above.
Priming is not enough as well, the paint you’ll use must have better bonding strength than regular paints.
Can I use acrylic paint on Shrinky Dinks?
Yes – and no. The short answer is that you can “paint” on Shrinky Dinks – but the paint may not stay there very long, or if it does then you probably won’t like the result.
What I mean by this is that acrylic paint should stick to the Shrinky Dinks initially but if your child plays with the Shrinky Dinks, the paint may not remain on it for long.
However, our recommended paint and primer model does it really well to stick on Shrinky Dinks but we couldn’t check whether it makes a permanent bond or not.
How long does it take acrylic paint to dry on plastic?
It depends on the paint, but probably not long enough to put your plastic in the microwave.
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High-quality acrylic paint sprays should dry within 10 to 15 minutes while cheap acrylics may take up to an hour or two before you can touch the painted surface.
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