What Materials Does Acrylic Paint Not Stick To? Five Examples

When looking for some affordable paint, most people reach for acrylics. It is easy to use, and most people have some lying around in their garage or craft room. Acrylic paint is inexpensive, and you can find it at most hobby shops and big-box stores.

You can get many varieties of acrylic, such as heavy body acrylics, which have a thick viscosity, medium viscosity acrylics which are thinner, and you even get acrylic paint specifically made for crafts. Acrylic paint sticks to most surfaces, but there are some materials that it won’t stick to.

Here are 5 materials that acrylic paint won’t stick to without preparation:

Plastic
Items covered with a protective seal
Fabric
Wood
Glass

Let’s take an in-depth look at these 5 materials and the preparation methods needed for acrylic paint to stick.

Table of Contents

1 What Materials Does Acrylic Paint Not Stick To? Five examples
2 Final Words
3 Sources

What Materials Does Acrylic Paint Not Stick To? Five examples

One – Plastic

If you have ever tried painting a plastic object you had lying around the house with acrylic paint, you will know that acrylic paint just won’t stick to plastic. So, if it is necessary to paint a plastic item with acrylic paint, you must sand and prime the item’s surface before painting it. You can use acrylic paint on most plastics as long as you prep and prime them. However, acrylic will never stick to polypropylene (plastic #5), even if prepared beforehand. So, let’s look at how you can prep your plastic for a perfect coat of acrylic paint:

Steps To Prepare Plastic for Acrylic Paint

Start by washing the item you wish to paint with soap and water to remove any oils and dirt stuck on it. You can use ordinary hand soap or dishwasher liquid.
Next, roughen the item you wish to paint with sandpaper. If you do not have sandpaper at hand, you can use a coarse Scotch-Brite scouring pad. You should not scrape it too much. You only want to sand it enough to take off the shine and make the surface slightly rough.
Clean the plastic item again to remove any dust. Now that your plastic is rough, you should spray or paint it with 2 to 3 layers of primer. You should wait 15 to 20 minutes between applying layers.
Once the primer is completely dry, let it cure for around 24 hours. This curing process is especially critical when working with plastic, so be patient. The primer might slide off the plastic, bubble up, or rip when painting it if you don’t wait.
Paint your primed plastic. You can then go ahead and paint the item with acrylic paint. I recommend using a sponge brush and high-viscosity acrylics to prevent streaking. You may also have to apply multiple coats.
Your next step is to wait for the paint to dry. The drying process can take 20 minutes to a couple of hours. The dry time will depend on the acrylic’s thickness and how many layers you applied.
Lastly, you can apply a sealant if you have some lying around the house. A sealant will enhance the color of the paint and prevent it from fading.

Pro tip: If your acrylic paint isn’t thick or opaque enough for you, mix it with some corn starch. The result will leave you amazed, and you’ll never have to buy super-thick, more costly acrylic paints again!

Two – Items Covered With a Protective Seal

Plastic is the most problematic and difficult item to paint with acrylic paint, but some other materials will also be challenging. Acrylic paint won’t stick to any item covered with a sealant. Many items include an outer layer of sealant for added protection and longevity. However, this sealant will also repel acrylic paint, so prepare the surface with a bit of sanding and primer if you want to paint it.

You can follow the same steps as with preparing a plastic item.

Three – Fabric

Acrylic paint sticks to fabrics and looks vibrant, but it might not last long.

If you are painting on fabric that you plan to frame and hang on your wall, the paint will last, and you will have a great piece of art to look at for many years. However, if you are painting a shirt, jeans, jacket, or any other launderable textile, you will experience some issues. Acrylic doesn’t play very well with water, and it is stiff, so it may crack when you use it on flexible materials that will experience wear.

Four – Wood

Most of us have a piece of wood lying around that we just can’t wait to turn into some unique item, whether a bookcase, end table, or toy box. Acrylic paint works amazingly on wood and looks excellent, so if you have a DIY project and you need a touch of color, acrylic paint will be perfect.

You do, however, have to prepare any wooden item with a primer before painting it with acrylic paint. It is also advisable to add a coat of sealant afterward to keep the paint protected and color popping.

Five – Glass

We all have glass containers around the house, and reusing them is a fantastic way to improve your crafting game. Whether it’s a pickle jar or a soda bottle, you can turn these everyday items into an extraordinary piece of art with a bit of acrylic paint. You can create flower vases, water bottles, cookie jars, and more. However, you’ll have to use specific methods to get your acrylic paint to stick and stay on glass since it is non-porous and smooth.

Painting on Glass Tips

Clean the glass surface with soapy water.
Ensure there are no chips or cracks in the glass. If the glass is damaged, discard it carefully so you don’t cut yourself.
Use oil-based acrylic paint as water-based paint won’t stick well to the glass.
Paint and decorate the glass item and leave it to dry.
Apply a sealant to ensure the paint stays on the glass and doesn’t scrape off. If you don’t have any sealant, you can bake the glass in an oven, but be extremely careful. It could shatter and explode if you shock the glass and put it in a scorching oven.

After a coat of sealant or being baked in the oven, your glass item will look vibrant and be ready for use.

Final Words

Overall, acrylic paint will stick to most surfaces, including paper, canvas, cardboard, metal, ceramic, plaster, and glass. However, you will have to prepare plastic, wood, and any material covered with a sealant. You can prepare these materials by roughening them and removing the sealant.

Acrylic paint is affordable and excellent paint to use for arts, crafts, and DIY projects. It’s easy to find at most stationery shops or hobby shops, and it will help bring out the artist in you.

Sources

Was this article helpful?

YesNo