Acrylic paints are used on various surfaces, including wood, concrete, metal, and canvas. Their quick-drying properties make them ideal for outdoor areas, indoor spaces, and for creating art. However, while acrylic paints dry quickly, are they entirely waterproof?
Are Acrylic Paints Waterproof When Dry? Acrylic paints aren’t entirely waterproof when dry, although some may have strong resistance to moisture. The paint can still absorb moisture and may peel and crack when this happens. You can protect acrylic paint from water, but it isn’t entirely waterproof.
So, while acrylic paint can’t be entirely waterproof, there are ways to increase its resistance to water and extend its lifespan. In this article, we’ll see how water-resistant acrylic paints are and how to protect them from moisture.
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How Water-Resistant Is Acrylic Paint When Dry?
As mentioned, acrylic paint isn’t completely waterproof and will wear down over time with enough exposure to moisture. However, every acrylic paint comes with some level of water resistance, even if it’s not much.
Most acrylic paint isn’t very water-resistant when dry. The main reason for the lack of resistance is that these paints are water-soluble and can quickly absorb moisture from the atmosphere. So while they dry fast and are water-resistant to some extent, it’s not enough to ensure complete protection.
Without adequate protection, most acrylic paints will be ruined with enough exposure to water. For example, if you’re painting an outdoor bench, exposing acrylic paint to rain
for an extended period will cause the paint to wear away from the surface.
Fortunately, there are some ways to prepare certain surfaces before painting to ensure the paint isn’t too easily washed off. Let’s review some surfaces that use acrylic paints and see how to prepare them to ensure the paint isn’t washed away.
Metal
Acrylic paint is ideal for metal surfaces as it dries quickly and sticks to the unblemished surface. Metal surfaces are usually smooth and non-textured, making it easy to spread even layers of paint.
However, to protect acrylic paint from water, it’s best to use a layer of varnish on the metal surface before applying the paint. And for added protection, you can cover the final layer in a sealant to protect it against water. This sealant is especially recommended if you’re painting outdoor metal surfaces.
But it’s crucial to remember that no matter how much sealant you use, a coat of acrylic paint will eventually wear away when exposed to the elements.
Wood
Acrylic paints can also be used on wooden surfaces, like benches and fences. However, preparing wood for acrylic paint takes more work than most other surfaces.
Raw wood gets damaged when exposed to water, and acrylic paints are water-soluble, meaning they contain water that will seep into the wood. As such, painting over wood without preparing it first can cause moisture to seep in and the wood to rot from the inside.
Before you start painting, it’s best to ready the wood so the paint doesn’t damage it over time. By covering the wooden surface in a sealant, you can protect the wood from the water in the acrylic paint.
Now, it may seem like the wood is ready to paint, but for effective results, cover the wooden surface in primer before applying the acrylic paint. Primer will increase adhesion and allow the acrylic to bind more strongly to the wooden surface. The primer will also cause the colors to stand out better once the surface is painted over.
To ensure the acrylic paint stays and is durable, it’s best to cover the painted layers with another sealant. This layer will hold the acrylic paint in place and maximize protection against moisture.
Glass
Unlike other surfaces, the best way to ensure acrylic paint stays on glass is by heating the glass and allowing the paint to fuse with the glass during this process. Binding the two this way will ensure that moisture can’t get to the paint.
Start by painting the glass surface with acrylic paint and leaving the piece alone for at least twenty-four hours or longer if you find the paint isn’t completely dry.
Once dry, place the glass piece in the oven, turn the temperature to 350°F (177°C) and wait until things heat up. It’s best to ensure the oven warms up slowly, or the glass will crack in the process.
Once the oven reaches this temperature, leave the glass inside for at least half an hour to allow the paint to fuse. Remove the glass piece and keep it aside, allowing it to set correctly, and making the acrylic paints waterproof.
Canvas
Canvas art pieces are where waterproofing acrylic paints are most required so you can preserve your art for longer without allowing the colors to fade. To ensure acrylic paints stay safe on the canvas, start by applying a primer on the canvas surface. This initial layer creates a protective surface between the paint and the canvas, which is essential for preserving your art.
The primer ensures that your painting won’t be damaged or disturbed even if moisture seeps into the canvas.
Once the primer is ready, you can apply acrylic paint usually, like you would on any other surface. Allow the acrylic paint to dry, and then use a UV protective spray on the layer of paint to protect it from UV damage. Once this layer has dried, you can cover the painting with a sealant to waterproof the paint thoroughly.
However, as mentioned before, sealant can only extend your painting’s lifespan for a specific time. And while these paintings are protected enough to be hung outdoors, the acrylic will eventually begin to wear away with time, and moisture seeps in through the gaps.
Final Words
Acrylic paints dry quickly and are highly resistant to water, which makes them a popular choice when painting most surfaces. However, acrylic isn’t waterproof even when dry, and it’s crucial to take the proper steps to protect it from moisture.
By preparing different surfaces, so the paint is moisture-resistant, you can ensure the acrylic paint dries effectively and is significantly shielded against moisture.