Acrylic paints: application, characteristics, types

Production and origin

Acrylic paints appeared on the market relatively recently. Scientists, in the process of splitting acrylic acid, were able to isolate a substance that became the basis for the manufacture of the polymer. It is a pure synthetic material. It has a transparent texture and excellent technical properties. The material does not have a pungent odor. It is very durable, tolerates thermal changes well, and is not afraid of ultraviolet radiation.

Using acrylic resins, manufacturers have learned to produce paints and paints. They prepare a solution, add a polymer dispersion, a binder, and a coloring pigment to it. The result is a material, after application of which a film is formed on the surface being treated that can protect against external factors. This paint adheres very well to the base and has a high degree of adhesion. Its quality depends on the type of acrylic resin and the fillers used. With their help, the viscosity of the paint and its matting are “formed”.

Polymer base for the production of acrylic paints

This indicator is adjusted by adding a solvent. When deciding how to dilute acrylic paint, you need to carefully study the manufacturer's instructions. The main parameters of the composition are indicated there, the scope of its use is indicated, and the main stages of preparing the paint for construction work are listed. The composition of acrylic paints provides their advantages:

• They are environmentally friendly and do not contain substances hazardous to human health.
• They are easy to work with, the compositions are applied in an even layer and dry quickly.
• The paints are odorless, so you can work with them even indoors.
• The materials are not prone to fire, they do not contain flammable substances.
• The ability to add pigments allows manufacturers to produce paints in a wide color palette. Today, using them you can not only paint various types of surfaces, but also create colorful paintings. What makes artists who paint walls and ceilings happy?

Acrylic paint colors

• The time for complete drying of one layer is three hours.
• After application, a film that is resistant to abrasion is formed on the surface. The color does not fade in the sun.
• The painted surface does not lose its attractiveness for ten years.
• The composition of the paint is unique; after application, its layer reliably protects the surface from moisture, while it allows air to pass through well.
• Painted areas are easy to clean, dirt particles do not stick to them, so the maintenance process is noticeably simplified.

Versatility and versatility provide a wide range of applications. Experts, talking about what acrylic paints can be used for, draw attention to the fact that they can paint metal and wood, concrete, a layer of decorative plaster and even fabric. With their help, tuning of passenger cars is carried out. They are used by manicurists and pedicurists to create amazing nail designs. There are restrictions on some types of plastic, but otherwise there are no prohibitions.

Properties

The positive properties of acrylic paints are as follows:

• The painted surface does not form cracks, and the coating lasts for at least ten years;
• Temperature changes do not have any negative effects on it;
• The paint dries within 24 hours and does not emit an unpleasant odor;
• Not afraid of the influence of chemical elements;
• Easy to apply with any available means;
• The film formed on the surface does not require additional fastening.

In addition, the use of acrylic paints is absolutely safe for users.

Increasingly, consumers give preference to modern, environmentally friendly, inexpensive and high-quality materials. Acrylic paint has all these positive characteristics. It contains polyacrylics, pigments and fillers, which guarantee excellent performance qualities of this material.

Of course, the properties of paint for interior work will differ from those used to treat exterior surfaces. With the help of such materials you can make excellent repairs that will last for a long period of time. Thanks to its universal composition and low price, acrylic paints have found wide application among users.

Tips for choosing paint (1 video)

Acrylic paint of different brands (23 photos)

Advantages of paints

All acrylic products based on water dispersion are safe for humans, they are environmentally friendly and do not pose a risk to nature or animals. Since only non-toxic substances are used for creation, paints can be used in children's rooms, hospitals, and gardens. Other advantages of coatings: No pungent odor. After applying the compositions, you do not need to ventilate the room, work slowly, this does not require the use of a respirator. Fire safety. The materials do not contain substances that are prone to rapid combustion. Moreover, there are special acrylic paints on sale with the addition of non-flammable components that stop burning. Fast drying.

After application, some paints dry literally before your eyes, so you won’t have to wait long before using the coating. However, when drying, you must strictly follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, because a large number of layers increases the drying time. Variety of shades. There are many colors of tinting pastes and dry pigments on sale; it is easy to choose a material for any interior. Using acrylic paints you can create various designs, decorative elements and patterns. Elasticity and hiding power.

The paint spreads perfectly over the surface, covers it with a dense layer, and does not crack or crumble after drying. Strength and durability. Acrylic compounds do not wear out because a strong protective film is formed on their surface. Many of them can be washed and cleaned, making them easier to maintain. The highest quality coatings last up to 10–12 years. Optimal microclimate. The film of the material remains vapor-permeable and therefore does not disturb the microclimate of the room. Dust and dirt do not accumulate on the paint, since its pores are minimal in size. Versatility. The paints are suitable for completely different situations, for external and internal work, they can be combined with other coatings. In addition, acrylic is excellent for most well-known construction and finishing materials. Frost resistance. Acrylic easily tolerates low temperatures, so it is suitable for use outdoors or in unheated rooms. The paint will not crack due to frost for many years.

Description of the material and scope of its application

Acrylic paint is a water-dispersible material based on polyacrylates, which act as film formers and are derivatives of acrylic acid. Like other water-based products, acrylic paints can be diluted, are easily tinted with water-pigment pastes, and as they dry, they acquire a certain resistance to moisture. Since the materials do not contain organic solvents, they are harmless both during application and throughout their entire service life.

Acrylic has excellent technical characteristics, which provides a wide range of its applications. Depending on additional additives, paints can be used indoors and outdoors, in painting, and for body work. Their texture is light, but after polymerization they provide a fairly durable coating that is resistant to adverse factors. The compositions do not fade under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, maintaining their bright shades. They have virtually no restrictions regarding the materials they can be applied to:

• tree;
• plaster;
• drywall;
• concrete;
• brick;
• metal.

Indoors, acrylic paints and varnishes are used to paint walls and ceilings. Many people prefer to apply them to wallpaper intended for painting. Special products are even suitable for treating water pipes, heating systems, and radiators.

Manufacturers

Today, there are several of the most popular and well-known companies that produce high-quality and durable acrylic paints. Below is an overview of the most popular brands.

Dekart

This large manufacturer specializes in the production of various paint and varnish coatings, which are intended both for finishing walls and ceilings indoors, and for facades and fences outside. All Dekart products are of unsurpassed quality, as they are made from safe raw materials.

Prices for this manufacturer's products range from very affordable to high. Dekart interior acrylic paints are presented in a large assortment. Each consumer will be able to find the composition of the desired shade for themselves.

"Tex"

"Tex" is one of the largest manufacturers specializing in the production of high-quality paint and varnish products in St. Petersburg and Russia in general.

This large company's product range includes excellent acrylic paints that receive positive reviews on the Internet. Consumers, first of all, note the excellent adhesion of these mixtures to any substrate, as well as their durability and resistance to mechanical damage.

However, there are also rare responses from customers who claim that the Tex brand acrylic paint they purchased is not actually washable and suffers from constant contact with water. It is difficult to say what the cause of this problem is. Perhaps some buyers purchase a low-quality surrogate finishing material or apply it incorrectly on their own.

"Areal +"

This company has been engaged in the production and wholesale distribution of good quality paints and varnishes since 2008. A relatively young brand has already managed to win the respect of consumers, since its products last a long time and do not cause any problems during their presence on the walls or ceiling.

Acrylic interior paints "Areal +" are relatively inexpensive and are sold in large plastic buckets. They do not smell and look aesthetically pleasing. Many specimens can be used for both wall decoration and ceiling decoration. This manufacturer also has a huge range of high-quality façade paints in different colors.

Joker

This trademark belongs to the Tikkurilla concern, located in St. Petersburg. Products manufactured under the Joker brand are very popular among modern buyers due to their affordable prices and large selection of colors.

A distinctive feature of this product is its hypoallergenic base. That is why such paints can be safely used by experienced allergy sufferers and people suffering from asthma. As for the direct composition of the acrylic compositions of this brand, it was developed jointly with the Association of Allergic and Asthmatic Diseases of Finland.

Caparol

This famous German manufacturer has been producing high-quality and durable paint since 1885. During its existence, the Caparol brand has managed to gain worldwide popularity and the love of consumers, since its products are of unsurpassed quality.

All brand products are environmentally friendly and absolutely safe for health and the environment.

Belinka

This manufacturer from Slovenia produces durable and wear-resistant paints. Its range includes interior mixtures for finishing walls and ceilings.

All Belinka brand products are designed for surfaces subject to maximum wear. The paints of this manufacturer are resistant to abrasion, mechanical damage and many other external factors. In addition, high-quality Belinka acrylic paints are not afraid of aggressive chemicals.

Oikos

Oikos is a well-known Italian manufacturer that produces high-quality paint and varnish coatings that are environmentally friendly and have good performance characteristics. Acrylic paints are high-tech and very easy to work with.

Oikos products are wildly popular not only in Italy, but throughout the world. This is explained not only by the highest quality of goods, but also by their rich assortment. The company offers beautiful and flexible paints in a variety of colors (more than 2000). In addition, consumers have an excellent opportunity to obtain the unique effect of finishing materials such as silk, mother-of-pearl marble or velvet.

"Sigma-Color"

This manufacturer offers customers a choice of decorative and protective paint coatings. The Sigma-Color assortment includes high-quality acrylic paints for finishing facades. Branded mixtures are not afraid of harsh climatic conditions and are water resistant.

If you want to purchase beautiful interior paint with an acrylic base, then this manufacturer can offer excellent washable compositions in various shades. According to representatives of Sigma-Color, their products are durable, economical in consumption, high vapor permeability and quick drying. In addition, such acrylic paints have affordable prices.

Compound

Acrylic paint consists of the following components:

• Acrylic resins that form a protective film when cured.
• Coloring pigments of organic and inorganic origin.
• Plain water used as a solvent.
• Natural and synthetic fillers. They give the coating strength.
• Polyacrylates and polymethacrylates.

Acrylic paints have a simple composition and at the same time high-quality technical characteristics. They are common in construction and industry.

The water-dispersion base is the basic advantage of acrylic paints. Due to their composition they are suitable for almost all surfaces.

The binder component in paints is an aqueous suspension of synthetic resins. The base is polymers: ethyl, methyl butyl acrylic.

Application technology

In order to obtain a high-quality result, the surface to be painted must first be cleaned of dirt and dust, and then primed. To do this, it is better to use a special composition or white acrylic paint diluted in half with water. If you ignore this process, the consumption of the finishing coat will double (both acrylic paint on wood and any other type are well absorbed into the base). If it is pre-coated with primer, much fewer layers will need to be applied.

If there is an old layer of paint, it is better not to experiment, but to remove it completely with a spatula. If this work is not done carefully, the result will not please you: the acrylic compositions are applied in a very even thin layer, and the presence of any defect is only emphasized and exposed.

Preparing walls for painting

The direction in which the first layer of paint is applied does not matter. If the material is used to decorate walls or ceilings, it is better to apply the finishing layer towards the window. Then the finish will look perfect.

Before applying acrylic, glass and metal surfaces must be wiped with an alcohol composition, which allows the surface to be degreased. Then the paint layer will lie flat, and after drying the coating will be very strong and durable.

To choose the right color, you need to try on a separate piece of the material being processed. The fact is that acrylic paint for wood, metal, glass becomes a little darker after drying. It is important to pay attention to the structure of the composition. It can be glossy, matte, translucent and completely transparent. After hardening, it will be impossible to correct defects.

Acrylic paint darkens slightly after drying.

When compositions of different colors are used for work, when using them to create a large-scale painting on the wall, it is advisable to take a little paint of each color and pour it into separate small containers (in plastic cups, for example). If you need to go out for lunch, all you need to do is wrap the top of the cup with plastic and secure it to the container with tape. In this form, the composition will not be able to dry quickly. It is useful to close the paints remaining in their containers tightly and prevent air from entering.

When leaving, don’t forget to leave your brushes and rollers in the water. After work, they must be washed with laundry soap.

Note! Acrylic paint is difficult to wash off from hands and clothes, so it is advisable to protect yourself from getting it. To do this, you need to put on an old robe, which you don’t mind throwing away later, and rubber gloves. So that later you can somehow wash away the multi-colored marks, it is useful to prepare and place nearby a solvent for acrylic paints, a rough washcloth or pumice stone for cleaning the soles of your feet. When painting walls, experts advise carefully covering the floors with thick oilcloth.

How to prepare the composition for painting

Any enamels must be diluted before application. Not everyone knows how to dilute acrylic paint. The manufacturer does not always indicate this item in the technical data sheet. If there is no additional information, you can dilute the paint with plain water. When the 1x1 ratio is selected, the ideal composition for priming the base is obtained.

If you need to apply a very thin layer that will lie evenly on the surface, experts advise adding two parts of water (200 ml per liter). The more water, the thinner the paint layer will be.

Note! The paint must be diluted in a separate container. You cannot pour water into the jar straight away. In such a situation, it will be difficult to control the consistency of the finished composition. Acrylic diluted with water cannot be stored. Once dry, it becomes unusable.

Water is the best base for acrylic paints.
Hot boiled water is the best thinner for acrylic paints that are dried and unused. To “reanimate” them, you need to grind the dried paint into powder, and then pour boiling water into it. Leave for a few minutes, drain, and repeat the procedure again. After the paint has softened well, excess water is poured out, everything that remains in the container is thoroughly stirred. Of course, after such “reanimation” the material partially loses its properties, so experts do not recommend using it for painting “ceremonial” places. However, if you need to improve the appearance of an old shed, paint will do just fine.

How to thin the material

Paint that is too thick must be thinned. Water, which is included in all acrylic paints, should be used as a solvent. You can also use special products for dilution, which are sold in stores: they can only be a solvent or additionally impart special effects (gloss, glitter, metallic).

When adding water, it is important to maintain the correct proportions so as not to spoil the paint. The best option is to dilute the material with water 1:1 if the product in the jar is very thick. This mixture will cover the walls with a dense layer without gaps and will maintain good coverage.

You can use diluted paint as a base, and apply another, but thinner layer on top, diluting the material in a 1:2 ratio. Liquid paint can also be used to cosmetically update walls: the composition will cover minor dirt, wash away dust, and remove stains.

It happens that acrylic paintwork dries out greatly and becomes completely unusable. Some try to dilute it, but such actions lead to the opposite effect - the material comes out in lumps and becomes heterogeneous. It is necessary to completely dry the acrylic, grind it to a powder, and only then dilute it with cold boiled water. The quality characteristics of such paint will be worse than those of the original mass, moreover, the drying and crushing procedure is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase a new acrylic composition, which is easy to work with and the result will be at a high level.

Selection of acrylic paints

To purchase, you should visit a construction supermarket or another store that sells trustworthy brands of paint and varnish products. This will eliminate the purchase of a low-quality fake, which may not contain acrylic at all. If paint is purchased for walls or ceilings in a damp room, you should pay attention to its resistance to moisture and the presence of antiseptic additives in the composition. Each can of paint always indicates the permissible number of brushing treatments (indicated by numbers). The manufacturer guarantees no damage until this indicator is reached (usually it is no more than 30). The shelf life of the saturated color, which does not differ from the original in intensity, is also indicated on the label - in years or months.

Indoor ceilings are most often painted white. When purchasing such paint, you need to be more careful: often the mark “white” does not correspond to reality, and in reality the material is milky or yellowish. The ideal shade can only be achieved by applying super white paint. When purchasing, it is also important to evaluate the level of paint viscosity. Mixtures that are too viscous are difficult to work with, especially with a spray gun. They will have to be diluted, which is quite labor-intensive when processing large areas. Watery paint is also not the best solution; it does not have sufficient adhesion and hiding power, so the quality of wall painting will remain at a low level. According to professionals, the most convenient and high-quality products are those with the addition of thixotropic substances. Thanks to them, the paint does not flow down the wall or drip from the tools, but its consistency becomes optimal when mixed. After drying, such compositions form a perfectly smooth polymer film on surfaces.

VDAK-1180

Water-dispersed acrylic paint meeting GOST 1180 is used as a starting and secondary coating. Designed mainly for external facades. Suitable for finishing large industrial facilities. The paint is offered in various colors. It is resistant to moisture, low and high temperatures. But the compositions are quite thick, so they are not suitable for interior work.

Characteristics of VDAK-1180 paint:

• The color of the coating can be any. It turns out smooth and matte.
• The paint is moisture resistant and remains breathable.
• It takes an hour to dry the surface.
• The dye has a mild aroma.
• The average composition consumption is 65 grams per square meter. The permissible solvent level is up to 5%.

This type of coating is packaged in one and a half kilogram containers. If you add a lot of water during the dilution process, the dye will have a grayish tone. You can apply paint to the surface with a regular brush or roller.

Tips for applying paint

To work, you need to prepare brushes, rollers, a paint container and, if necessary, a stepladder. First, the walls are leveled, after removing the old peeling coating. The last layer should be a well-polished white finishing putty. Initially, smooth walls just need to be cleaned of dust, dirt, and degreased. Immediately before painting, the base is primed with 1-2 layers - this will reduce absorption, paint consumption, and increase adhesion and evenness of its application. Coloring begins from the corners. Having painted the perimeter of the walls well with a brush or roller, move on to the central part.

It is recommended to make movements horizontally in the direction of the window - this will help make the coating more uniform. Usually 3 layers are applied, but if the surface is slightly contaminated, two are sufficient. Professionals often work with acrylic compounds using a spray gun. At home, you can use a roller, and in hard-to-reach areas and corners - a comfortable brush with durable bristles that will not fall out. Acrylic dries quickly, so finishing work must be done at an accelerated pace, otherwise streaks will remain on the wall or ceiling.