Turn Any Room Into a Masterpiece with Acrylic Wall Paint
Looking to add some life and vibrancy to a boring wall? Acrylic paint offers an easy, affordable way to inject color, texture, and even artwork into any space. With proper prep and technique, acrylic paint can transform ordinary walls into extraordinary showstoppers. Continue reading to learn everything you need for a DIY acrylic wall painting project that will turn bland into grand.
From selecting the ideal acrylic paint to prepping the wall surface to techniques for achieving dazzling finishes, we will cover all the key steps for painting walls with acrylics. You'll be amazed at what a difference a new coat of vibrant color can make. So grab some paintbrushes and let's create a masterpiece!
Choosing Acrylic Wall Paint
With an abundance of acrylic paint options on the market, it's essential to understand what makes an acrylic paint formulation ideal for walls versus other surfaces. We recommend using high-quality acrylics made specifically for indoor wall applications.
Look for acrylic wall paints with an eggshell, satin, or matte finish to help hide surface imperfections. Higher sheens like gloss or semi-gloss will accentuate uneven textures. A premium acrylic formulated for walls typically has thicker viscosity for one-coat coverage and superior adhesion power.
Consider tintable base paints that can be mixed into any custom color for unlimited design possibilities. Some acrylic wall paints also feature built-in primers, eliminating an extra application step. For large accent walls or murals, choose a specialized acrylic meant for artistic work with enhanced flexibility.
Recommended Brands
When reviewing different acrylic wall paint options, look for leading brands like Behr Premium Plus, Glidden Premium, Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint, Benjamin Moore Aura, and Valspar Reserve. Read reviews and compare quality ratings from consumers and experts.
Finishes and Bases
In addition to different finishes like matte or eggshell, consider whether you want a paint with built-in primer versus a dedicated stain-blocking primer. For deep colors, use a tintable base that allows more pigment to be added for better hiding power.
Prepping Walls for Acrylic Paint
While acrylic paint will adhere well to most common wall surfaces, taking time to properly prep walls will ensure your painted masterpiece withstands the test of time. From cleaning to repairs and priming, here is an overview of recommended steps for prepping walls before an acrylic paint project.
Cleaning Surfaces
Start by washing down all wall areas to be painted with a mild soap and water solution to remove any dirt, stains, grease or peeling paint flakes which could impede adhesion. Rinse thoroughly. Allow walls to fully dry before assessing the need for repairs or applying primer.
Filling Holes and Imperfections
Inspect walls closely and use spackling paste or drywall joint compound as needed to fill any small holes, cracks or uneven areas in the surface. Allow patching materials to dry completely before sanding smooth and removing dust with a tack cloth.
Applying Primer
For the best acrylic paint coverage, invest time in applying a high-quality primer designed for wall surfaces. Primer helps seal porous surfaces while providing extra grip for the acrylic topcoat. If using specialty finishes later, opt for a primer formulated for the final coating material.
Application Process and Techniques
One of the appeals of acrylic wall paint lies in the variety of creative special effects possible based on your desired finish. But certain fundamentals apply for any acrylic wall painting project. Let's review tips for applying acrylic paint smoothly and consistently.
Gather Supplies
Having the right painting tools on hand will make applying acrylic to walls much easier. Assemble high-density foam rollers, roller frames, angled paintbrushes, paint trays, paint sprayers, drop cloths, masking tape and more before starting.
Safeguard Against Drips
Use painter's tape and drop cloths to protect flooring, baseboards, outlets and any adjacent surfaces from paint splatter or drips during the application process. Carefully cut in edges with a trim brush before rolling on paint.
Mind the Wet Edge
Maintain a "wet edge" when painting by brushing onto a section that borders paint that's still wet. This prevents lap marks. Work in sections of 4x4 feet at a time for best results. Allow proper drying time between coats.
Achieve Full Coverage
Due to the porousness of drywall, multiple thin coats of acrylic wall paint build to create a vibrant, evenly saturated surface. Wait at least 2-4 hours between coats. Better coverage means your artistic vision can shine once unique finishing touches are added.
Special Techniques and Creative Effects
One remarkable trait of acrylic paint lies in its uncanny ability to mimic styles ranging from refined Venetian plaster to playful graffiti art. Tap into acrylic's versatile nature by incorporating special techniques and tools. Here are some ideas for taking your DIY acrylic wall paint project to the next level!
Color Washing
The color washing technique involves layering thinned washes of acrylic paint to produce a watercolor look. Simply dilute your acrylic colors using a paint extender fluid or water. Apply translucent veils of color, allowing underlying hues to show through.
Textured Finishes
Consider using tools besides brushes and rollers to impart eye-catching textures. Sponges, crumpled paper and even plastic bags can dab, stipple or drag through acrylic paint to generate surfaces resembling Venetian plaster, stone aggregate and more.
Stenciling
Introduce shapes, patterns and dimensional details by stenciling through acrylic paint layers with a brush or paint sprayer. Purchase reusable plastic stencils or create custom cardboard templates. Clear acrylic glazes over the top enhance the effect.
Abstract Accents
Free-form abstract shapes often add modern flair. Delineate sections of flat color with delicate hand-painted lines or make a statement by incorporating dimensional acrylic paints to build up grooves, peaks and points organically across the wall.
Caring for Painted Acrylic Walls
Congrats, your blood, sweat and acrylic paint tears have paid off with a custom wall worthy of acclaim! But the work doesn't end once the last brushstroke meets the wall. Maintaining painted acrylic surfaces correctly preserves your efforts. Here are tips for keeping walls looking like new:
Let Paint Fully Cure
Before cleaning or applying any products to finished acrylic walls, allow ample time for paint to cure and harden completely. This takes around 30 days. Avoid wiping or applying adhesives during this period.
Clean Gently
When ready to clean finished acrylic walls, use only soft microfiber cloths lightly moistened with fresh water to remove dust and surface debris. Avoid abrasive cleansers or scrubbing pads which could mar the paint surface.
Touch Up Carefully
For minor scuffs or scratches that occur on cured acrylic walls, lightly sand the area to smooth edges before touching up with original paint. Apply thin layers to built up coverage. Blend and feather out paint so repairs become invisible.
Get Inspired!
Looking for more acrylic painting ideas to fire up your creative spirit? The variety of looks achievable with acrylic wall paint seems endless.
Let these ideas motivate your inner Michelangelo. Pick up a paintbrush and rediscover the transformative power held within every blank wall and tin of acrylic paint.
We hope after reading this overview, the prospect of tackling an acrylic wall paint project seems not only approachable but an exciting creative endeavor. With a quality acrylic paint formulated for walls, some basic DIY skills and a flair for color, nearly anyone can refashion dull walls into a customized art piece.
Just remember fundamentals like proper surface prep, attention to technique and understanding acrylic's versatile painting properties as key to success. Before you know it, visitors may mistake your humble abode for a contemporary art gallery. But the only submission required is your creative vision. So pick up a brush and let imagination become reality one stroke at a time!