Acrylic paints are popular in two areas: painting and decorating. In the latter area, acrylic is used to paint wood, ceramics, glass and other non-greasy surfaces used by designers.
Acrylic paint has several varieties, and for good reason. One is suitable only for painting facades, another – for ceilings, the third – for bathrooms. To make the purchase was really profitable, you need to understand the difference between the compositions of acrylic paints, as well as know where and how to use them.
What is an acrylic paint
Acrylic paint is a synthetic material that is based on acrylic acid. Acrylic paint has three main components: binder, pigment and water.
Acrylic paints are multiphase. This means that the paint itself is a dispersed aqueous solution in which there are polymers of esters. Acrylic resins play the role of binder.
The pigments that form the basis of acrylic paints are divided into:
- inorganic;
- organic (these paints are very bright, but they lose their properties faster than others and are expensive);
- synthetic (they are not so often used; mainly, when it is necessary to make tinting and paste);
- natural.
Dyes are prepared from various compounds (e.g., iron, lead, chromium). White acrylic paint is made from titanium dioxin. Because of the high refractive index of light such white paint covers the surface densely.
Production of white paint requires a special additive – polymeric compounds that do not form a film. Due to them this refraction effect appears: in the process of drying the paint is filled with voids with air. And on the line between the polymer and the air, the sun’s rays are scattered. So if you want to achieve a perfect white finish, buy acrylic paint.
So, acrylic paints are based on the following substances:
- dry powdered pigment;
- binder;
- solvent (such as water);
- dolomite;
- calcite;
- barite;
- chalk;
- talc;
- kaolin;
- mica.
Characteristic Properties and Features
As water evaporates from acrylic paint, it dries. While the surface dries, the chemical composition of the paint forms a strong and elastic film (i.e. the binder and pigment remain at its base).
Thus, acrylic is stronger than oil-based paints, which begin to crack, crumble and peel after years of use. In addition, it is better able to withstand sudden changes in humidity and temperature.
Buy acrylic paint is also worthwhile for the following reasons:
- It dries quickly. Especially if you apply it in a thin layer. Thick coats will dry in a few minutes.
- It sticks to the surface. Once it’s dry, it’s almost impossible to remove. You can only try to scrape it off or sand it down.
The advantages of acrylic paint
Acrylic paint has the following advantages:
- Acrylic paint consumption is low because it is allowed to be diluted with water without harming the texture.
- The paint is easily and evenly applied to the surface in strokes (they are not deformed in volume or shape).
- Acrylic dries very quickly. But the drying process can be slowed with special substances.
- The acrylic coating does not need fixers and other substances that are usually applied over the paint to increase its life. It feels fine without them.
- Oil paints fade in the light, watercolor paints lose color, but acrylic paints sunlight is practically no harm.
- You can buy acrylic paints in different volumes. Manufacturers produce them in cans, inks and tubes.
Note that the final color of the acrylic is slightly darker than the one that will be in the can. Take this into account when selecting a shade.
The disadvantages of acrylic
On the one hand, it’s great that acrylic dries so quickly. But on the other hand, people unprepared to work at pace can ruin their entire result by choosing this paint.
It is almost impossible to clean an acrylic surface after it has dried. Therefore, in no case should you leave the paint brush for a long time. If you do not wash off the composition in time, the brush will have to be thrown out.
Among the disadvantages of acrylic also:
- it tolerates all temperatures well, except minus temperatures (acrylic will begin to lose its properties);
- the paint is not sufficiently resistant to solvents;
- You can not buy acrylic paint in Krasnodar cheap.
The texture of acrylic coating
With acrylic paint you can achieve almost any type of texture. For example, you can buy acrylic paint “under watercolor” and achieve the effect of light blurred strokes on the surface.
Where you can use acrylic paint
Acrylic is universally used in construction work. And not only externally, but also internally. It can be used to paint surfaces such as:
- ceramics;
- wood;
- concrete;
- metal;
- glass;
- brick;
- wallpaper;
- drywall.
Acrylic can be applied not only with a brush. You can use a roller, spray and other means.
Acrylic coating is suitable for the creation and repair of various premises: normal living rooms, bathrooms, baths. Quite often you can find acrylic on the facades of houses or on floor coverings. Let’s consider some options for using acrylic paint in a little more detail.
Acrylic paint for floors
Acrylic is suitable for painting concrete and wood floors. In order for the coating to hold reliably, you need to paint the floor in at least 2 layers. After drying, you can safely wash the floor with water (it will never wash out acrylic paint).
Despite its density, acrylic does not always cover all the imperfections in the floor (irregularities, cracks, chipped areas, potholes, etc.). In order to remove them, you need to pre-treat the floor with a primer.
Paint the floor with this paint can be in heated rooms and in outdoor areas. However, in the latter case, the paint will lose its properties a little faster.
Acrylic Bath Paint
Acrylic paint is suitable for the bathroom, because it is not afraid of temperature changes and does not begin to delaminate at high humidity in the room.
Paint with acrylic binder can be covered both walls and ceiling in the bathroom. It is also used to repair and restore bathroom walls. The paint adheres to the wall like a thin and firm layer of plastic.
Acrylic paint as protection for building structures
Concrete and reinforced concrete structures are susceptible to corrosion and other damaging external factors (especially if they are outside the room).
Materials based on acrylic resin will protect structures from premature deterioration.
How to use acrylic paint correctly
Before you start working with acrylic paint, clean the work surface of dirt and dust, then degrease it.
When working with surfaces that absorb water well (such as cardboard, wood, plaster, etc.), prime them in advance with a special primer or acrylic varnish.
The paint itself is very thick. If you do not want a thicker layer on the walls, dilute acrylic to a thinner consistency with water or a special solution.
When the job is done, never forget to wash brushes and containers with paint. Always keep the can tightly closed or it will dry.
Water based acrylic: what are the differences?
Aqueous dispersion paint (or acrylic paint) is a paint composition made of water, where the binding components are water dispersions (synthetic latex) of acrylic (AK), butadiene styrene (BS) or vinyl acetate (PVA) copolymers.
You can buy waterborne acrylic paint in two versions:
- water-dispersion;
- water-based emulsion.
Water-dispersion differs from the water-emulsion method of production. It’s based on dispersion and polymers. For water emulsion, emulsion is used instead of dispersion.
Water-based paints have become popular for the following reasons:
- they contain almost no volatile organic solvents;
- they do not fade from the sun over time;
- they are easy to apply with the usual tools (the same brush);
- they have a high level of vapor permeability;
- they will look good on different surfaces for many years;
- the composition has good adhesion (this is the adhesion of surfaces of heterogeneous solids and/or liquids) with almost all types of surfaces.
- paint has no acrid odor because it is based on an aqueous solvent.
So, acrylic paint is suitable for various tasks: decorative finishing, protection of concrete and metal structures from decay and decay, painting of wooden floors, etc.