Does Acrylic Paint Scratch Easily? 5 Things To Know

Acrylic paint is a versatile medium for beginner and experienced artists alike. Its water solubility and quick drying time make it the best choice for many art projects, but do they work for everything? Does the paint easily show signs of wear?

In this article, we’ll go over five things you should know before you start painting. This should help you to make an informed choice about the most sustainable materials that work best for your project. We will be answering the question Does Acrylic Paint Scratch Easily? 5 Things To Know.

Things You Should Know Before Using Acrylic Paint

Acrylic paint is often preferred to oil paint because it is less toxic, more affordable, and more convenient. There are, however, some things to consider when choosing to use acrylic paint.

Acrylic paints typically have three main components: 

• The pigment
• An acrylic binder
• A vehicle (in the case of acrylic paint, this is water) 

The acrylic binder gives it durability but also makes it less environmentally friendly. If you want to make more sustainable art, there are ways to make acrylic paint last longer.

Acrylic Paint Adheres Better to Porous Surfaces

When acrylic paints dry, the water (or vehicle) evaporates, allowing the pigments and acrylic polymer binder to fuse together.

When the paint’s surface is porous or textured, the particles can adhere to the surface and each other. Materials like canvas, paper, or wood are all excellent surfaces that work well with acrylic paint. However, it is still a good idea to seal the surface with a paint primer to achieve optimum results.

The acrylic paint can lift or be easily scratched off with smooth and impermeable surfaces, like glass or plastic. If you want to make artwork by painting on “found materials,” try to opt for materials that already have a textured surface. If the lure of glass or plastics is too great to resist, there are ways to prepare them to allow the acrylic paint to adhere better.

Preparing Nonabsorbent Surfaces Makes Acrylic Paint Last Longer

Some surfaces will simply need a layer of painting primer, like gesso, before you can start painting with acrylics.

You will benefit more by gently rubbing the surface with fine sandpaper, steel wool, or something similar. The acrylic particles can latch onto rougher textures more easily. Glass, unlike plastics, can be tough to scratch safely without breaking it. Some artists who work with acrylic on glass opt for sandblasting to prepare the surface.

Regardless of the material, cleaning your surface well after sanding is essential because dust can cause your acrylic paints to lift.

Seal Finished Paintings With Varnish or Similar Medium

The nature of plastic is quite elastic, so, understandably, acrylic paints are also soft, pliable, and somewhat flexible.

However, this means it is necessary to seal your finished artwork with an agent, like varnish, that will harden and seal the surface. Sealing your painting does more than just prevent scuffing or scratching. It also protects the acrylic paint from collecting dust, as the material is porous and prevents sun exposure damage.

Choose your sealing agents carefully, as some varnishes can cause discoloration or yellowing.

Store or Display Your Artwork in Protected, Controlled Environments

When you plan your artwork, consider where the painting or sculpture is likely to be kept once it’s finished. Will your artwork or project be left outdoors or exposed to elements? Will people regularly handle the work? If so, using paint designed for harsher conditions and rougher handling may be wiser.

Most acrylic paint will be fine if you are creating work that belongs in an interior space or will be in storage for long periods. You should still take care to display the artwork out of direct sunlight and in a dry location that won’t expose it to extreme temperature changes.

Quality Products Will Often Last Longer Than Cheaper Ones

If you are just starting, it may be too expensive to learn and experiment using higher-quality acrylic paints. However, the difference in student grade and professional grade acrylics may contribute to artwork that lasts longer.

Using professional acrylic mediums instead of water to thin out and keep your paints wet can prevent them from cracking, flaking, or scratching.

Cheaper acrylic paints contain a higher concentration of the polymer binder, thus lacking the richness in color that artist-grade acrylics have. Furthermore, artist-grade acrylics are designed to have more permanence and often use less paint to achieve the same results.

Choosing Sustainability While Using Acrylic Paint

One of the most frequently convincing myths is that you must dispose of materials that are not environmentally friendly. When you already own those materials, it is essential not to waste them!

You can still make choices that are environmentally friendly when using acrylic-based products. Here are some ways you can be more sustainable in your artmaking:

• Don’t waste paint by letting it dry on your palette. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge to be used later.
• Avoid buying new materials if your old ones aren’t yet finished.
• Use old rags instead of paper towels to clean up your brushes.
• Paint over old paintings you don’t want to keep. Gently sand off the very rough texture and prime the painting before starting your new work.
• Dispose of your paint water and dried paint safely. Look up chemical waste disposal sites in your area and the disposal instructions.
• Recycle plastic objects, like plastic take-out lids, for your painting palettes. You can reuse these palettes by peeling off the dried paint.

Final Words

Whether you are just starting or are an experienced artist, there are plenty of ways to make your acrylic paint last longer. Remember to choose your materials wisely. Also, be sure you’re taking steps to reduce waste where you can when creating artwork.