Applying acrylic paint on wood is a creative way to turn bare wood into a masterpiece. I use it to refresh old wood pieces and finish new ones, but not before thoroughly preparing the wood.
I’m a skilled woodworker with nearly two decades of masterpieces and mistakes under my belt. From firsthand experience, I’ve learned to prep, prime, and fill gaps in wood floors otherwise my acrylic paint doesn’t adhere. However, the surface prep for applying acrylic paint on wood differs from ordinary staining and sometimes requires unique products.
Partnering up with my old woodworking journal, I’ve outlined seven crucial steps to follow for achieving the perfect acrylic paint on wood.
Explore them with me.
7 Step-by-Step Tips for Applying Acrylic Paint on Wood
1. Clean The Wood
Before I paint furniture with acrylic, I clean the wood to remove impurities like dust, grime, and grease because they prevent the paint from adhering.
Firstly, I use a scouring pad and a soap and water solution to scrub the wood’s surface in circular motions. Then, I use a damp cloth to wipe the wood, regularly rinsing and wringing it in clean water. When wringing, I aim for a damp cloth to avoid saturating the wood.
2. Sand or Degloss
After thoroughly drying the wood, I sand along the wood grain to minimize scratches and achieve a more professional finish. I start with 150-grit sandpaper to give everything a clean and work up to 220-grit to create a silky smooth surface.
Aside from removing imperfections, sanding wood helps to strip protective finishes and open up pores for maximum paint penetration. So, it is a crucial step that can’t be rushed.
3. Fill Gaps and Cracks in Wood
Wood gaps occur for several reasons such as uneven shrinkage and loose screws, and filling them is essential to achieving a flawless surface.
Depending on the gap’s nature, I’ll spoon putty or spackling paste into the hole, allow it to dry, and sand down any excesses. But if I’m dealing with large screw holes, I dunk a wooden plug into wood glue and tap it into the hole with a hammer. I let it set for 10 minutes and chisel off the excess before sanding any remaining stub.
4. Prime It
Always use a primer that is specifically designed for your project, so consider exterior vs interior, previously finished vs bare wood, etc. For instance, I use a water-based primer for exterior projects because oil-based primers react to UV radiation and yellow over time.
I use a chip brush to apply the primer in a uniform layer thick enough to cover the wood grain. Primer usually dries to touch in an hour, but I wait two hours before recoating and 24 hours before painting.
5. Add The Background
By now, my wood is well-primed and ready to receive paint. I use a wide paintbrush to layer on my background color, pouring a small amount at a time because acrylic paint congeals easily.
Thin films of paint take 10-20 minutes to dry while thicker films take an hour to dry fully. I like applying two coats to create a solid background, so I use two thin films and dry them for 30 minutes each.
6. Add The Details
Adding details is the fun part of applying acrylic paint on wood. I use a soft brush to paint on the details, regularly dipping the brush in water to keep it clean and pliable.
Acrylic paint dries quicker in small amounts, so I use a fluid retarder to slow the drying process and make blending colors easier. I also keep a mister handy to lightly wet my palette and keep it from drying.
7. Layer on a Topcoat
Sealing your acrylic wood painting helps protect it from dust, peeling, and sun damage. My favorite sealant is the Liquitex High Gloss Varnish because it gives me a permanent, water-resistant finish but the Granotone Matte Finish gives me the best matte, velvet finish.
For large areas, I use a roller to cover space quickly and minimize brushstrokes. Then, I use a brush to enter crannies easily.
A Vibrant Transformation
Applying acrylic paint on wood gives it an attractive color and texture, and adds character to any project. I use acrylic paint to recycle wood pieces by distressing them and sometimes combine acrylic paint and wood stain to create a unique finish.
If you’re reclaiming wood, it’s hard to miss annoying screw holes during surface prep. I’ve hand-tested four effective methods for filling screw holes in wood and created a guide to help you kick those pesky gaps to the curb. Be sure to check it out!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Paint Directly on Wood With Acrylic Paint?
You can directly apply acrylic paint on wood but you risk blotches, warping, and support-induced discoloration (SID). SID occurs when the wood’s impurities leach into the acrylic paint and discolor the pigment. Sealing and priming wood prevents moisture from penetrating the wood, allowing the acrylic paint to apply more easily.
How Do You Blend Acrylic Paint on Wood?
You can blend acrylic paint on wood by applying two colors to fade into one another, creating an ombre transition. When blending acrylic paints, you need a wet consistency, so you’ll work fast to prevent the paint from drying. If your acrylic paints constantly dry too quickly, you should explore Golden Artist Open Acrylics, a slow-drying paint that remains usable for weeks.
How Do You Make Wood Look Old With Acrylic Paint?
You can distress wood with acrylic paint by intentionally missing spots and highlighting brush strokes. Another trick is to layer unsanded wood with white and bold colors, so you’ll paint the white coat, allow it to dry, and follow with the bold color. After the bold coat has dried thoroughly, go in 180-grit sandpaper to spot-sand edges and corners so that the white coat shows through and creates an “old wood” look.
Does Acrylic Paint Last on Wood?
Acrylic paints last as long as wood stains if you follow the steps religiously. The key steps are sealing and priming, which will prevent moisture from entering the wood and peeling the paint. It is also crucial to allow coats to dry before laying more to avoid blisters and air pockets from forming under the paint.
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