March 26, 2022
As time goes by, there would be flaking and cracking on the painted wood if it is not done correctly. Woods are usually exposed to direct sunlight, and if they were not painted or prepared correctly, expect that they are prone to peeling and chipping effects. For a more lasting lifespan for your wood, it is recommended that you prepare the needed materials completely and properly before painting it. After painting, you should let it rest to dry first before sealing it. On the drying phase, you should place the wood where no dust may stick the wood. You wouldn’t want to repaint it after hours of waiting just because of the dust, right?
Acrylic paints let you explore a wide range of possibilities, unleashing your inner artist self and boosting your imagination. Color your fantasy using acrylic paint to see how your colors, strokes, and tones go with your imagination. Sealing the painted wood will create positive effects on acrylic paint. It is not just for boosting its appearance but also for its lasting protection. The sealed, painted wood will have a longer lifespan compared to unsealed painted wood.
Benefits of Sealing Acrylic Paint on Wood
It is recommended to seal the wood with acrylic paints for it gives a variety of positive effects. Although sealing is not mandatory, sealing your wood will give a more lasting life and vibrant appearance for your painted wood. Here are the reasons why:
The sealant is proven to be effective in protecting your paint from flaking and cracking. You would also notice the added visual depth to the painted surface. If you want a different look for the painted surface, you may use this product to change the finish from glossy to matte or even to a satin look. Try to search for a sealant that offers the appearance that you prefer for your painted wood.
After drying, an acrylic painted surface will have a powdery texture to it. Solvents are not one of its components since the paints are water-based. They just have a water base with color as the only additive.
Although sealing boosts the appearance of your painted wood, sealing acrylic paint on wood serves primarily as a protective measure. Sealants protect acrylic paint against various elements such as chemicals, water, wear and tear, and UV radiation that may swiftly degrade the paint layer. Hence, it protects your painted wood while boosting its appearance.
If you use a wet tissue to touch or clean it, a colored residue will be left behind. Simply said, this implies that it is prone to damage very quickly if not sealed. Sealing it will give it a smooth surface, thus preventing it from leaving a pigmented residue.
Utility products like cabinets and decorations need more durable sealants that build a strong protective shell on them. Scratches, scuffs, and spills from daily usage are minimized with a strong sealant. You may have to look for their client’s feedback on the internet to know their durability and effectiveness.
Sealants can also serve as a protective covering for the wood’s pores before painting. Acrylic paint is water-based, but wood is a porous substance. Therefore, it is recommended to apply sealant first before applying the paint on the wood.
You establish a barrier between the base and the medium when you seal the wood. This prevents the water-based paint from penetrating the wood’s core.
If the painted coat isn’t sealed, the surface will become uneven and the paint will crack and peel as it penetrates the wood. As a result, the paint may mix up with wood’s natural fluids and oil. The wood will then discolor into yellowish-brown while damaging its texture slowly.
Wood may distort, decay, or crack if it comes into touch with liquid from the water-based paint and absorbs it. In order to successfully paint wood using acrylic paints, one of the most important procedures is sealing it first before painting it. It will slow and add cost to the process but it is worth it since your sealed wood will have a longer life compared to unsealed wood.
You would not want your hard work on crafting or painting to be damaged so fast because of the wrong painting procedure. That is why, among professional wood painters, sealing first before applying acrylic paint on wood is greatly recommended.
Sealing does not provide permanent security on your wood. Like any other kind of paint, acrylic paint will ultimately wear off as time goes by. Nevertheless, not at a pace greater than that of the unsealed wood.
Best Sealants for Sealing Acrylic Paint onto Wood
Using PVA Glue
You must first protect the wood before utilizing it as a canvas for an acrylic painting. Using watered-down PVA glue works every time and is a typical technique among professional painters.
Outdoor Sealing Acrylic Paint on Wood
A particular sort of sealer is required for wood that will be exposed to the elements for most of its life, if not the whole time. These sealers are the ideal product for outdoor seats, birdhouses, signposts, and other outdoor wooden items. Normal sealants are not effective for outdoors since they deteriorate fast when they get exposed to various elements.
These outdoor items need sealers with high levels of durability since they degrade quickly in the presence of direct sunshine, snow, rain, chemical contaminants, and other environmental factors.
Using water-based polycrylic and polyurethane is ideal for this situation. They create a durable external coating that is highly resistive to UV radiation and moisture damage. Polyurethane, on the other hand, needs polishing. The resin may be used as a sealer as well.
This type of sealant is also highly ideal for large wooden items and other indoor wooden furniture that are usually being used, touched, moved, and are mostly exposed to water, moisture, and other factors that may damage your items. This sealant may be more expensive compared to ordinary sealant, but the durability and effectiveness of this sealant are worth looking forward to.
8 Steps in Sealing Acrylic Paint on Wood & Craft
The painting would not be complete without sealing a painting. To protect your painting, acrylic paint may be sealed on wood in a variety of techniques that are both simple and easy.
- To seal a painting you might use a piece of wood and any frame, either old or new. Clean the wood with a wet towel to remove any remaining dirt or chipped woods. Dry it with a clean dry towel afterward.
- Now, using a scale, cut the wood to the dimensions of the frame you choose for your painting.
- To make the wood’s surface smooth, use a dry microfiber cloth to polish it once it has been shaped and cut into the appropriate form. A piece of smooth wood would be ideal for absorbing the artwork completely.
- Make a mixture with a small quantity of water and PVA glue in a container. It should have an exact 1:1 ratio. Make sure the bond and water are fully combined by thoroughly blending everything.
- It’s time to apply adhesive to the wood and give it a final polish. Several coats of glue mixture are required on the wood. The wood will have a natural shine as a result of the polishing.
- Once again, use a piece of sandpaper to polish the wood softly. However, it’s critical to remember that it doesn’t rough up the wood.
- A sealant is critical to the successful sealing of a woodblock. However, you should use a wet cloth to wipe off the wood before applying a sealant to clean it. To thicken the mixture, combine a little sea-sol with a little marvel dust.
- Now, using a moist sponge, gently apply the mixture onto the wood, allowing it to dry and finish before painting. Give it some time to dry perfectly to allow the seal to cover the wood properly.
- Leave the sealed wood to dry. It takes a long time for the sealer to dry, depending on the temperature. Once the priming has dried completely, you’re ready to start and enjoy painting.
Jason is a 40-year-old woodworker, carpenter and author who have been involved in the woodworking and woodcraft industry with 17 years of experience. He is expertise in technical aspects, woodcraft and furniture building projects.