Do you love painting with acrylics? I’ve got a pro tip for you. Have you ever wanted to paint outside, but worried about the weather ruining your project? Fear not! We have all the tips and tricks to make sure that your paintings stay beautiful no matter what Mother Nature throws at them.
In this blog post, we’ll explore is acrylic paint waterproof? how to prepare any of your acrylic paint projects for outdoor use and how to protect them from water or other elements when you use them outdoors—and even indoors.
Acrylic paint is a versatile medium that you can use to create beautiful works of art. It is also one of the most affordable painting materials available. However, acrylic paints are not waterproof and will lose their brilliance when you expose them to water or humidity over time.
What Is Acrylic Paint? What is Acrylic Paint Made Out Of?
Acrylic paint is a fast-drying, water-soluble paint. This means that you can clean it up with plain soap and water when wet, but once it is dry it will not budge.
The medium you can use in several different ways: on canvas, paper, plaster walls, and fabric! Acrylic paints are non-toxic and the list of possible surfaces you can paint with them is endless.
When acrylic dries, a film called a “binder” forms over the pigments that help to keep the paint in place. The binder is what causes acrylic paintings to be water-resistant once they have dried, instead of being fully waterproof. This means that the binder you need to seal if you want your paint project to be waterproof and last for a long time.
How To Make Your Acrylic Paint Projects Waterproof?
There are many ways you can make your acrylic paintings weather-resistant and increase their longevity. This blog post will show you some tips on how to make your acrylic paint projects weatherproof so they last for years instead of weeks! So let’s get started.
4 Ways To Waterproof Acrylic Paint:
There are many ways to waterproof your acrylic paint projects, but here are four of the most popular methods:
 Varnish:
One way to waterproof your acrylic paint project is to varnish it with a sealant like Mod Podge. This will help protect your work from the elements and keep it looking new for years to come.
Varnish is perhaps the simplest way to waterproof your paint projects. Just remember to use multiple, light coats instead of one or two heavy coats so they do not affect the colors beneath.
To varnish your project, you can either buy a ready-made varnish or make your own by combining equal parts of turpentine and boiled linseed oil.
 Polyurethane:
Another way to waterproof your acrylic paint project is to use a polyurethane sealant. This type of sealant is more durable than varnish and will help protect your artwork from moisture and humidity.
Mod Podge is an example of a type of polyurethane. Polyurethane makes your paint projects waterproof, which is great if you are using acrylics on wood or any other porous surfaces that you might damage by water.
 Lacquer:
If you are looking for a more glossy finish, you can use lacquer to seal your acrylic paint project. Lacquer is a type of finish that actually dries quickly, so you can apply multiple coats in succession without having to wait for long periods of time between coats.
Lacquer will also help protect your painting from moisture and humidity, as well as provide a more durable outcome.
 Shellac:
The last option for making your acrylic paint projects waterproof is to use shellac.
Shellac is a type of natural resin that can be found at most home improvement stores. It will help seal your acrylic paint project, but it also has a glossy effect so keep this in mind when applying it to the artwork.
You can use to create a subtle gloss on the piece or provide an additional layer of protection against water damage and fading over time.
How To Waterproof Acrylic Paint On Different Surfaces?
Waterproofing Acrylic Paint On Wood
To waterproof acrylic paint on wood, you will need:
-Paintbrush
-Waterproof sealant or varnish
-Lint-free cloth
1. Begin by painting your project with acrylic paint. Allow it to dry completely.
2. Apply a coat of waterproof sealant or varnish to the project using a brush. Allow it to dry completely.
3. Use a lint-free cloth to buff the project until it is glossy.
Waterproofing Acrylic Paint On Masonite:
To waterproof acrylic paint on masonite, you will need:
-Acrylic paint or medium (not watercolor paints) and a paintbrush. (Do not use oil-based paints.) Waterproof varnish or latex house paint with a matte finish will also work.
1. Begin by painting your project with acrylic paint or medium (not watercolor paints). Allow it to dry completely.
2. Apply a coat of waterproof varnish, latex house paint, or matte sealer over the project using a brush.
Allow it to dry completely before use.
Waterproofing Acrylic Canvas Paintings:
To waterproof acrylic paint on canvas, you will need:
-An unprimed cotton or linen canvas that is appropriate for use with acrylic paints. The surface of the canvas should not be glossy, waxy, or oily. Also, avoid using heavy weight papers which might buckle when you paint over. For best results, use a cotton or linen canvas with a weight of at least 6 oz. per square yard.
-Acrylic paint or medium (not watercolor paints)
-A paintbrush
-Matte or gloss acrylic sealer
-A clean, soft towel and a flat, protected work area
1. Apply the colors to your canvas in the pattern you desire and let them dry completely. Allow at least 16 hours for acrylic paint to dry fully before proceeding to step two.
2. Brush on an even coat of acrylic sealer over the dry paint. Let it dry for at least 24 hours before handling the piece.
3. The surface will become increasingly more water-resistant with every additional coat that you apply and allow to fully cure, so you may choose to continue applying coats until you have achieved the desired degree of sealing.
Waterproofing Acrylic Paint On Metal:
To waterproof acrylic paint on metal, you will need:
-An unprimed metal panel that is appropriate for use with acrylic paints. This could be copper, aluminium, stainless steel or brass. The metal should have a somewhat dull appearance, not a glossy or high sheen finish. It should be a metal that you would paint on.
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-Acrylic craft paints in colors of your choosing. You do not have to prep the surface of the metal by removing any grease or other materials from its surface before painting it.
-Isopropyl rubbing alcohol (the common name for this is rubbing alcohol, isopropyl rubbing alcohol or isopropanol)
-A paintbrush with natural bristles that you didn’t damage (the synthetic, nylon type of bristles will dissolve when you apply this solution to them).
-An eyedropper.
-Goggles and gloves.
Step 1: Prepare the Acrylic Waterproofing Solution
In a well-ventilated area, wear your goggles and gloves. In a small glass or ceramic container, combine one part rubbing alcohol with two parts acrylic paint. Stir the mixture well until it is entirely liquid.
Step 2: Apply The Acrylic Waterproofing Sealer
Use a paintbrush to apply this solution in a thin layer over your metal panel. Allow it to dry completely (which will take several hours).
Step 3: Apply a Second Layer of Acrylic Waterproofing Sealer
This time, allow the first layer of acrylic paint to dry for four hours before applying the second thin layer. Again, allow this sealer to dry completely.
You now have a waterproof surface that is suitable for use with acrylic paint. When you are ready to work, simply mix your colors on the metal surface as you would if it were any other watercolor or acrylic painting support.
Waterproofing Acrylic Paint on Glass:
To waterproof acrylic paint on glass, you will need:
Tape or masking fluid to protect areas on your glass you don’t want to be painted, the paint of your choice, a small brush for painting details, and some kind of sealer.
To begin with, apply a coat or two of your paint of choice to the areas you wish to paint. After this, let it dry for a couple of hours, and then apply a coat or two of sealer. Wait about an hour for this to dry before applying another coat of sealer, otherwise, you will have problems with tackiness.
After three or four coats of sealer have been applied, you can let it dry for a couple of weeks until the paint is totally cured. After this time, you can remove all of your masking fluid and tape to see your finished project!
Waterproofing Acrylic Paint on Fabric:
To waterproof acrylic paint on fabric, you will need:
The fabric of your choice, a small brush for painting details, and some kind of sealer.
To begin with, apply a coat or two of your paint of choice to the areas you wish to paint. After this, let it dry for a couple of hours. When you feel the acrylic paint is dry, spray the fabric with your sealer. Allow this to dry for another couple of hours, then it should be ready to wear or put up on a wall!
5 ways to give your project a polished look:
When you are completely finished with your painting, there are some finishing techniques that can be very helpful to make your project look professional. There are several things you should do depending on the type of surface (fabric, paper, etc.) and the style of painting (photo realistic or abstract). These include:
-Add an extra coat of sealer over your project. To do this, simply mix a small amount of matte medium and some pigment into your last coat of sealer and apply it to the surface in a thin layer.
-A varnish can be used to add shine and protection over acrylic paintings. You will need a gloss varnish (not matte) for this. Apply it in a thin layer by brushing on the varnish and then carefully blotting off any that you see sitting on top of your painting with tissue paper.
-You can also add some layers of protective spray over your project to keep dust and smudges away! I find it is best to spray about 6 or 7 light layers over the project rather than one really thick layer, which will allow for less cracking.
-You can also add pieces of clear tape over your painting for extra protection if you want! This works great when you are storing things in boxes or travelling with them – it keeps everything in place and protects your art from smudges and dust.
-Another fun idea is to add a fabric or paper background to your piece if you wish! I find that pieces look more professional when they have a nice mat around them, but it is totally up to you.
It’s happened to all of us. We’re in the middle of a painting project, and the weather takes a turn for the worse. Suddenly our carefully created artwork is ruined by rain or snow. But what if there was a way to make your acrylic paintings weatherproof? Well, there is.
Why Does Acrylic Paint Wash Off?
The main reason why acrylic paint washes off is that the binder is not sealed. If the paint is not sealed, water will eventually penetrate the surface and cause the paint to fade or wash away completely.
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There are many ways to seal your acrylic paintings, and the one you choose will depend on the project you are working on. For example, if you are painting on a canvas that will be displayed indoors, you can use a sealant like Mod Podge to protect your work.
Making your acrylic paint projects weather and waterproof is a great way to protect them from the elements, as well as keep them looking new for years to come. Lets learn about some handy tips to seal your acrylic paint effectively.
Tips on sealing acrylic paint
Let’s look at some tips on sealing your acrylic paint projects to protect them from humidity and other weather elements.If you are just starting to experiment with acrylics on wood, it is best to understand what techniques you can use.
- Water-soluble paints are not waterproof and will fade in high humidity.
- It is important to seal your project with a protective coating, such as varnish or resin, otherwise, the exposed wood will warp and the paint will flake off.
- If you want to protect your artwork from moisture/humidity, you must prop up off the ground (or any other surface) …Â
- Designing an acrylic paint project on wood requires using the right paints. For example, you can use acrylic paint that is made especially for wood or any kind of high-quality water-soluble oil paint. Also, you must seal the painting with a protective coat of resin or varnish.
- When sealing an art piece, you should always use at least three coats of sealer. This is because not all of the colors you will seal under just one coat.
- If you have used colors that are light in value or contain white, you should apply more coats of sealer to ensure an even effect.
- Sealing the art piece with a protective varnish is perhaps the simplest way to protect your paint projects from water damage and fading.
- When using varnish, be sure to make several light coats instead of one or two heavy coats – you don’t want the paint underneath to lose its vibrancy.
Finally, it is important to remember that sealing your artwork will not protect it from all damage. Although you have protected the painting project from moisture and fading due to climate changes, wear and tear such as scuffs and scratches should be expected over time.Â
The Different Types of Waterproofing Sealers You Can Use for Your Acrylic Paint Projects on Wood
-Matte or gloss varnish: These are the most popular options, and both of them will give your painting a nice shine. It is best to do several thin coats of matte varnish rather than one thick coat.
-An acrylic medium mixed with pigment: This works well for raw wood surfaces, and the paint should be allowed to cure completely before sealing it.
-A polymer sealer: This is best for porous surfaces (like unpainted or untreated wood).
-Acrylic fabric medium mixed with pigment: This also creates a hard surface that can protect your painting from damage.
FAQS
Conclusion
You can use acrylic paint for a variety of different projects and comes in different forms. There are paints that you need to mix with water or an agent other than water (known as mediums). When using acrylic paint, it is important to use the right surface and sealer depending on the project you are trying to complete.
Sealing your acrylic paint projects with a protective coating, such as varnish or resin, is an easy and effective way to protect them from the elements and keep them looking new for years to come.  Â
Thanks for reading my blog post! I hope you have learned something about How to Make Your Acrylic Paint Projects waterproof.
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