What is acrylic craft paint? It is a water based acrylic emulsion with solid pigmentation suspended. It is meant for general craft use and is meant to replace the solvent base paints. If you have ever been to Michael's or Hobby Lobby, you would have seen them in cylindrical 2 ounce bottles in a rainbow of colors. They come in various forms for different desired finish results. They come in heavy body forms for application to paper and canvas, in a little thinner consistency for other porous substrates like wood and ceramics, in outdoor enamel finishes for decorating garden ornamentation, and metallic colors. The metallic craft paints consist mainly of colored micas suspended in acrylic emulsion. Some of the metallics are actual metal powders like powdered copper, brass or aluminum. Paints with copper powder will carry a special caution informing of a slight toxicity hazard.
Although the outdoor enamels and special paints made for metals are best for applying acrylics to metal, just about any craft paint can be applied to metal if necessary preparations are taken. In applying to steel a primer coat should be applied. This coating can be sanded when dried to ensure a smoother finish. Once dry and fresh of dust and debris, the acrylic paint can be brushed, stippled or airbrushed on. Although the paint appears to dry in an hour or so( depending on temperature and humidity), you will want to wait 6 to 24 hours before handling or sealing the paint with clear coat. Contrary to what you may have heard, you can seal th acrylic paint with acrylic aerosol clear coat. The solvents are intense but if you start with a light coat and let it dry then apply increasingly heavier coats with each passing, then you will get a durable finish that is more resistant to scratches.
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