Acrylic paint and glass are a match made in heaven. The output when you use acrylic paint to embellish glass items such as ornaments and mason jars is mesmerizing. However, the union is not very strong. Once you start using the items you painted, you will see that the paint is slowly chipping off. In many cases, it will actually come off in a couple of uses! Now, nothing is more heart-breaking than watching your masterpiece vanish! That’s why we are going to tell you how to keep acrylic paint on glass.
How to seal acrylic paint on glass?
Oh yes, there’s a key to every lock, and learning preservation techniques in art is quite easy at the same time. The answer in this particular case is sealing. Sealing acrylic paint on glass is a process that prevents chipping, wearing off, and fading as well. Sounds interesting, doesn’t it? It is time to heave a sigh of relief and keep reading!
There are two ways to do this. You can pick either based on your preferences.
Using a spray-on sealant
- Choose a glossy spray-on sealant. You can also pick a polyurethane coating (clear coating).
- Shake it well, at least for a few seconds, so that it mixes well.
- Now, open the can, place it at least 12 inches away from your art, and spray it. Remember not to linger in the same spot for a long time. Keep moving the sealant in a back and forth motion. This will help you achieve uniformity.
- Wait for 15 minutes.
- Add another coat, following the same process. But, you don’t need to make it as detailed as the first coat. This time, going light is perfectly fine.
- Wait another 15 minutes and redo the coat if needed.
- The sealant will take at least 24 hours to dry. So, make sure you keep the glass in an isolated, safe area where no one will accidentally touch it.
Using a brush-on sealant
If you aren’t really comfortable with the idea of using a spray, you can use a varnish! We advise you to get a polyurethane varnish that promises a glossy finish. For this process, you will also need a paintbrush.
- Start brushing the varnish on slowly.
- Make sure you are standing or sitting such that the glass is on top of the varnish container. This will ensure that any extra varnish will drip into the container and not ruin your floor.
- Cover the entire acrylic painted area.
- Leave it to dry for at least an hour.
- Repeat the sealing process. This time, as in the previous method, be gentle and apply a light coat.
- Leave it to dry again.
- You can go for a third coat if you wish to.
- Once you are done, keep the glass aside in an isolated place for at least 24 hours.
Things to remember
Now that you have learned how to seal acrylic paint on glass, we would like to round off our article with a few important tips:
- Always buy a glossy polyurethane sealant or varnish. A matte finish will ruin the natural look of your art.
- When you purchase the sealant, remember to go through its label. Some options may not be suitable for glass at all.
- While the aforementioned steps will definitely help you, you should remember that every sealant is different. You may need to follow additional steps to use the product correctly. So, always read the instructions on the box before you begin the process.
- Don’t try to seal acrylic paint on glass indoors. Paint fumes can be dangerous. Either do it outside or in a well-ventilated area.
- Never wash your masterpieces in the dishwasher. Even varnish will not survive. Handwashing is the way to go!
What are you waiting for? Seal your acrylic paint using either of our methods and seal your art forever. Also, don’t forget to let us know what you used and how your results were. We are always looking forward to your comments and feedback.