Acrylic paint is commonly known for its versatility, meaning that it can be used on different surfaces and in different ways (we can spray paint, fluid acrylics or make it dense paint). Acrylics are water-based colors. Therefore, they offer easy application and good coverage on canvas, glass, wood, plastic, and so on. However, does acrylic paint work well on silicone, and is that the proper surface for these colors?
Silicone and silicone rubber is greasy, and mostly oil paint or other oil-based
colors can be used on such a surface without needing a specialised silicone product. However, it is also possible to use acrylics, as long as you prepare the surface in a proper way. This means that you will first need to use some type of primer on the silicone surface before applying the acrylic paint.
This article will go over the techniques and methods that will allow you to use acrylic paint on a silicone surface. If you have tried to apply just acrylics on such a greasy surface directly, you already know that that way is not the right one. Therefore, below we provide ways to understand what needs to be done before adding acrylic color to silicone and what you may have done wrong in the past.
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What Types Of Paint Can Be Applied To A Silicone Surface?
Silicone is usually applied to products that easily come in touch with water. This material is resistant to water. Therefore, it is good protection for many things, especially technology. It is also excellent, meaning that it lasts longer than any other material, such as latex.
Since it has such firm properties, the silicone surface is quite attractive to artists. However, not all types of paint can be applied to it because it is quite greasy, and different kinds of colors can escape from it, i.e., they could not adhere to it. That is why you need to be careful in selecting paints if you intend to work on a silicone surface.
Also, you need to remember that silicone always needs some surface preparation before applying paint. The proper preparation will help the paint stick to the surface and last for a long time.
Also, it is important to note that some paint types with similar features do not respond to silicone the same way, so you should not mistake their abilities related to silicone. Below, I have listed the paints that have the ability to adhere to silicone, so if you plan to do some painting, you will know which paint type would be appropriate.
Shellac-based Paints
Primers that contain shellac -resin- in them are proven to adhere to a silicone surface certainly. However, you cannot apply them before preparing the surface as requires. As I mentioned before, each type of paint needs the silicone surface to be prepared so that the color could stick to it.
In the case of shellac-based paints, you will need to supply the surface with denatured alcohol first. However, make sure that you do not apply this substance after applying the shellac since it can thin it and make it more watery. Another thing that needs to be considered is that shellac paints should not be used on parts that have the ability to bend since shellac is inflexible and it may easily crack. Please note this acrylic resin is mainly used as a sealant for wood.
Oil-based Paints
Oil-based paints are most likely to stick to silicone surfaces since their texture is dense and will easily adhere. However, you will still need to prepare the surface in the same way as I explained for shellac-based paints. A thin layer of denatured alcohol will do the trick and make the silicone surface ready to accept some paint color.
The alcohol enables the creation of invisible pits and crevices that make the paint stick to the surface. Unlike shellac-based colors, you can apply denatured alcohol multiple times and not worry about cracking the paint.
Latex Paints
Latex paints are more complex than the previous two types since the texture is more liquid than the previous two. If you decide to try and apply latex paints on silicone, you will face a failure since the silicone will not allow the paint to stick. Just don’t try it.
However, you might use latex primer that will make the surface compatible with latex colors. Just before application, make sure that you have the surface completely cleaned and dried.
Acrylic Paints
Since a very dense texture does not characterize acrylic paint, applying it on a silicone surface would fail and provide an unattractive finish. Acrylics are water-based paints, meaning that their structure will be reluctant to adhere to silicone. However, a technique makes acrylics stick to a greasy surface; you just need to know the right way.
You will first need to clean the surface thoroughly and let it dry completely. A wet surface with water-based colors would not go well. After that, you will need to use a particular primer to aid the application of acrylics to silicone. I will explain this method thoroughly later.
Can You Use Silicone As A Base For Acrylic Colors?
As I mentioned before, it is possible to use acrylic colors on a silicone base as long as you have the surface prepared properly. Acrylics on their own might be tricky when in touch with silicone; therefore, you should not expect successful application if you do not use additional substances. It is essential to remember that acrylics are water-based paints , and silicone is quite a tricky base, meaning they cannot work well together without some prior preparation.
If you have ever tried applying acrylics on silicone, you have noticed that the greasy, rubber-type surface does not provide sticking of the colors. Therefore, as I explained before, you will have to prime it before using it for applying paints.
For this purpose, i.e., for priming the surface, you will need a primer to enable the paint to stay on the silicone. It is widely recommended that you use Liquitex pouring medium, which is proven to give successful results in this case. Once you get the surface primed and ready, you will apply paint and expect it to stick on the silicone base.
So, keep in mind that any time you intend to work with acrylics on silicone, the surface always requires priming. Some primers can be expensive; however, make sure that you will purchase something that will really do the job for you.
If you need to have a clearer image of acrylic paint and silicone surface features, I have provided some information that will help you understand these two notions better.
Different Features In Acrylics And In Silicone
Since acrylics have very different features from those in silicone, it is important to know them to learn why it is not possible to use them together, except with a primer. If you intend to use them in your work, you must familiarize yourself with silicone and acrylic paint properties.
Acrylics
Acrylic paint is one of the most versatile types of paint, and it can be used daily. They use a polymer as a binder in their structure, which makes them convenient for different surfaces, including paper, plastic, wood, etc. Acrylics can be mixed with water as well if you want to thin down their texture.
Silicone
Silicone is a base known to preserve the colors on it, and it is also known to provide a significant extent of durability. Oil-based paints go smoothly on a silicone surface since their texture is quite thick and can stick on a greasy base. However, other paints do not have the ability to stick to this kind of surface, and for that purpose, silicone requires primers.
How To Use Acrylic Paints On A Silicone Surface?
The proper way of using the silicone surface usually depends on the type of paint you want to use. However, mostly all paint types require a primer. Therefore, you cannot go without it. Otherwise, the paint will not stick, so that you will be just wasting your time.
Below, I have provided the steps that will make your painting process with acrylics on silicone successful.
Step One – Apply Denatured Alcohol On The Silicone Surface
The first step will require cleaning and drying the surface needed for any paint, not only acrylics. It would help if you made sure that the silicone surface is clean to apply other substances. Since silicone is smooth and greasy, it is not likely that any paint you use will stick on it.
Therefore, you need to use denatured alcohol to roughen up the surface. You should apply the alcohol to a rag and wipe the whole surface with it. Once you are done, leave the surface for about 5-10 minutes to dry out, i.e., to evaporate the denatured alcohol.
Denatured alcohol is non-drinkable since it has special additives for these kinds of purposes. You can buy this product in supermarkets or home improvement stores.
Step Two – Apply Siliconized Acrylic Latex To The Surface
The siliconized acrylic latex has the function to act as a second base on the silicone surface. This second base will allow you to put paint on it. Since it comes in a bottle, you will need to use a caulking gun to apply it to the silicone surface.
Once you apply it to the whole surface, you should leave it for 10 minutes to dry out. However, some siliconized acrylic latexes might need a longer period for drying, so make sure that you read the instructions on the bottle.
Step Three – Apply A Primer
As I mentioned before, silicone requires a primer for any paint. An oil-based primer would work the best for these purposes. However, you might find something that will be close to it. To apply the primer, use a paintbrush and make smooth movements to be applied evenly and in thin layers.
Once you apply the first layer, wait for about an hour, and then apply the second one. After you are finished with the second application, you should wait for another hour and then apply the acrylics. However, always make sure that you read the instructions on the primer since sometimes there might be some differences in the duration.
Step Four – Apply Acrylic Paint On The Silicone Surface
When you are done with the preparation of the silicon surface, you can start painting with acrylics. Once you are done, you should leave the paint to dry out. If you want to add second layers with paint, you should wait for about 8 hours before doing so. Ensure that the silicone’s paint is completely dried out before exposing it to possible moisture or water.
If you are not careful, the acrylic paint can get ruined in a second; therefore, always check if everything is dried completely.
Final Words
Many artists choose to avoid the silicone surface for painting with acrylics. Silicone is a complex material, and sticking colors to it is a difficult task. It is not impossible. However, it requires additional preparation steps before the actual act of painting.
Greasy and non-drying features characterize silicone. This means that if you apply paint to it, there will be circles of colors along the surface, so that any hand painting would be impossible. The preparation of the surface, on the other hand, requires additional money and time, and not everyone could afford that.
Therefore, artists opt for canvas or plastic rather than silicone. However, if a certain project is in question that requires a silicone surface, then all of the preparation steps are inevitable.
As you could see, using acrylics on a silicone surface might seem impossible, but it is actually doable if you have the proper tools. Therefore, if you intend to work on the silicone with acrylics, make sure that you provide yourself some primers first.
Sources
- Paints That Will Adhere to 100% Silicone Caulk
- Quora: Can I use acrylic paint on silicone?
- How to Paint Silicone: 9 Steps (with Pictures)
- Why I Don’t Use Silicone in My Acrylic Pour Paintings