With the right product, water-based acrylic paint can go on almost any surface. But to get the best result there are small differences worth knowing, surface by surface. Here's a short guide with ART IST.
Wood & MDF
Acrylic's favourite surface. Dust it off and sand lightly if needed. On absorbent surfaces the first coat soaks in a little; two thin coats is usually enough. Our acrylic paints give high opacity on wood; for extra durability we recommend varnish over the top.
Glass & Ceramic
Glossy, non-absorbent surfaces. Degrease them with alcohol or a clean cloth. The Multisurfaces hybrid series was developed to grip surfaces like these — ideal for decorative objects.
Metal
Clean off rust and grease. Apply in thin coats; because metal is cold, drying can take a little longer. Multisurfaces and Self-Varnishing PLUS both give a good result on metal.
Stone, Plaster & Pots
Porous surfaces drink up paint; a coat of primer makes life easier. For a natural stone look, take a look at our Stone Varnish.
Plastic
The most demanding surface. Taking the shine off with a very fine sandpaper improves adhesion. The Multisurfaces series works on most rigid plastics; on flexible plastics it may not last as well.
Fabric & Paper
It can be used directly on paper and card. On fabric, thinning the paint with a medium helps keep it soft.
In short
- Make sure the surface is clean, dry and free of grease.
- Two thin coats beat one thick one.
- Choose the right varnish for durability (gloss, matte, semi-matte).
- If you're unsure, test on a hidden corner first.
To choose a colour, browse all of our acrylic paints.
