Acrylic paint is water-based paint and is the most common paint medium among artists. One of the reasons why people prefer to use acrylic over other paint mediums is its flexibility. You can use acrylic over any surface like paper, fabric, wood, metal, and even glass. Another surface that has not caught a lot of attention is the possibility of using acrylic on walls.
You can use acrylic paint on walls, and many people have successfully used this paint to add colors to their wall surfaces. We will be looking at the properties of acrylic paint and why it is the right paint to be used on walls.
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What Makes Acrylic Paint Good for Wall Painting?
Excellent Color Retention
One of the properties of acrylic paint is its ability to retain its color even after prolonged use. Acrylic is resistant to sunlight, unlike oil-based paint. It will retain its color even after prolonged exposure to sunlight and unlike oil-based paint.
Fast Drying
One unique property of acrylic is its fast drying nature. Acrylic paint dries within a short time after application, and most times, it has no waiting time. In as little as one to two hours, acrylic will be fully dried. This way, you can add a second coat over it without waiting too long.
Odorless
Acrylic has less odor when compared to oil-based paint. It is a safer and non-toxic paint which makes it suitable for enclosed spaces. Most people won’t complain about solid chemical odors when you use acrylic paint on walls.
Flexibility
As we already mentioned, acrylic paint is great for all surfaces. You can use it conveniently over any material without any issue. Among the many surfaces to paint on, acrylic is used most of the time for paint jobs. Artists also use it to make murals.
No Staining
Using acrylic does not come with any difficulties. It does not stain and can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Can You Use Acrylic For A Wall Mural?
We have already established the reasons that make acrylic suitable for wall painting. This means you can also get creative with it on your walls. Most people prefer to use acrylic paint for murals. It comes in vibrant colors and has a long-lasting finish.
The best part is that it is more durable and won’t even crack over time. For the best quality acrylic paint to create beautiful mural designs, we recommend this Sargent Art Acrylic Paint Set. It comprises 12 solid colors for your art piece.
Also, it is the right choice for wall painting because you can also use acrylic paint to freshen up old paint. You can include an entirely new solid color to create a beautiful mural. However, painting on top of old paint will bring the best results if the paint is also acrylic.
Acrylic paint does not blend well with oil-based paint. If there is already oil-based paint on the wall, you could either use another oil-based paint or remove it properly before using your acrylic paint. You will need a good brush set to create a fantastic mural.
A couple of good brushes are sold, but we suggest you get the Pro Grade Paint Brushes. It gives accurate strokes, and you would love your masterpiece.
Are There Any Pitfalls When Using Acrylic Paint on Walls?
Although painting walls using acrylic paint comes with many benefits, we won’t fail to mention some of the challenges people face using this paint medium. This way, you’re prepared and you can quickly address these issues so they don’t become a problem when painting walls.
One of the things you should know about using acrylic is that it does not flow as easily as oil-based paint. This is not usually a problem, especially if you plan on using acrylic for complex projects where you intend to create texture.
However, if you think of making strokes on the wall with acrylic paint, it can be a problem. There is a fix for this minor problem, making it easy to use as wall paint. You can use additives or mediums to make acrylic paint more fluid for painting.
Also, you should know that even though acrylic paint is durable, it is still not as durable as oil-based paints. The reason for this is that acrylic paint does not harden up.
Usually, the hardening up should occur during the curing process as the paint dries, but it is not acrylic. This can make it easily susceptible to damage, mainly if the acrylic is used in areas where people touch it all the time.
The only way to preserve the acrylic paint is to use it in areas where your kids or pets won’t easily reach it.
Tips For Painting On Walls With Acrylic
- Make sure you keep your kids and pets away from the painted wall while it is still wet.
- Mix your acrylic paint with a good medium or glazing liquid to make it more fluid for painting the wall.
- If you are applying the second coat of paint, make sure the previous paint is fully dried before applying it.
- Don’t mix acrylic paint with oil-based paint as the two don’t mix easily. If the older paint is oil-based, make sure you remove it completely before applying acrylic paint on the wall.
Conclusion
If you consider using acrylic paint over your walls, we suggest you make the most out of it. You can easily apply acrylic paint to walls and ceilings. You can use its beautiful bold colors to create artistic murals. There are a million easy acrylic painting ideas to start with. However, we recommend you get only the best quality acrylic paint for long-lasting results. Acrylic remains the best choice for wall painting because it delivers high-quality color intensity, unlike other paint mediums. Also, it dries faster, and you won’t have to deal with an unpleasant odor like you would with any other paint.
