Short answer: You can paint acrylic with spray paint made for plastics (such as Krylon Fusion All-In-One) or water-based acrylic paint, on a surface washed with detergent and water and dried completely. Test any solvent-based paint on scrap first, because solvents like acetone and xylene can craze acrylic, especially at stressed cut edges. For a glossy, durable finish, paint the back of clear acrylic so the color shows through the front.
Key facts
- Prep (Plaskolite): wash with water and detergent, remove grease with isopropyl alcohol or naphtha, rinse off all soap, and let it dry completely; a damp surface causes poor adhesion.
- Static: wipe with a naphtha-dampened sponge to stop dust and uneven spray; never paint over antistatic cleaners.
- Solvents: Acrylite rates acetone, lacquer thinner, MEK, toluene, and xylene "not resistant." Krylon Fusion All-In-One lists acetone and xylene among its solvents, so test it on scrap.
- Krylon Fusion All-In-One (77 °F, 50% RH): touch dry in 20 minutes, handle in 1 hour, recoat within 2 hours or after 48 hours; spray between 55 and 75 °F below 60% humidity.
- Stress: sheet makers recommend annealing parts before painting if the paint's solvents craze them.
Do you need to paint it at all?
Before painting, check whether colored sheet will do the job. Solid-color acrylic is colored all the way through, so it can't chip or scratch to clear. We stock white, black, red, blue, green, yellow, tints, fluorescents, and mirrors (see acrylic sheet colors). Paint makes sense for custom colors, multicolor designs, back-painted glass looks, and filling engraving.
What paint works on acrylic?
| Paint | Works? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spray paint made for plastic | Yes | The easiest even coat. Light coats; test on scrap first. |
| Water-based acrylic paint (craft or artist) | Yes | Great for brush work and engraving fill. Seal it if it'll be handled. |
| Acrylic enamels | Usually | Durable. Check the solvent on the label and test. |
| Paint pens (water- or oil-based) | Usually | Good for small fills and lettering. Test first. |
| Lacquer, and paints thinned with lacquer thinner or acetone | Avoid | Strong solvents attack acrylic and can cause crazing, especially near cut edges and holes. |
The rule: if it smells strongly of solvent, test it on an offcut and leave it a day before trusting it. Crazing sometimes shows up hours or days later, and it starts at stressed areas like laser-cut edges, drilled holes, and bends. Acrylite recommends annealing laser-cut parts (about 180 °F for one hour per millimeter of thickness, then a slow cool) to relieve that stress before solvents touch them.
How do you back-paint clear acrylic?
Painting the back of clear acrylic is how glossy "glass" signs, backsplashes, and colored panels are made. The front stays smooth, glossy acrylic, and the paint is protected behind it.
- Peel the film from the back only. Leave the front film on to protect it.
- Clean the back with mild dish soap and water, rinse off every trace of soap, and let it dry completely. If there's grease or fingerprint oil, Plaskolite allows a quick wipe with isopropyl alcohol or naphtha. Then wipe with a naphtha-dampened sponge to kill static.
- Don't scuff the back for back-painting. Scratches on the painted side can show through the front as texture. Use a paint made for plastics so you don't need to.
- Spray light coats. Three or four thin coats beat one heavy one; Krylon says to hold the can 8 to 10 in. away and wait about a minute between coats. Heavy coats run and hold solvent against the sheet longer, which makes crazing more likely.
- Seal it. A final coat of a compatible clear, or a backing of white or black paint, protects the color layer from scratches on the back.
Viewed from the front, the color picks up depth and gloss from the acrylic in front of it. Lettering and art done this way need to be mirrored, the same idea as reverse engraving.
How do you paint the front of acrylic?
For front-painted parts where gloss isn't the point, a light scuff with fine sandpaper (around 400 to 600 grit) improves grip, followed by a plastic primer or adhesion promoter. Front paint is more exposed, so expect it to scratch more easily than the sheet underneath.
How do you paint-fill laser engraving?
This is the cleanest way to color-fill laser engraving:
- Leave the protective film on the acrylic and engrave right through it. Only the engraved areas lose their film.
- Spray or dab paint over the whole area. The film acts as a perfect stencil.
- Let the paint dry to the touch, then peel the film. Paint stays only in the engraved letters.
Ask for this when you order engraving: tell us to leave the masking on, and we'll engrave through it. See acrylic engraving and laser engraving results.
Is vinyl better than paint?
Cut vinyl is often easier than paint for lettering and logos, especially on the back of clear acrylic. It's crisp, even in color, and removable. Printed vinyl or a printed paper insert behind clear acrylic is another good route for photos and full-color art. Paint wins for custom color matching, engraving fill, and large solid areas with no seams.
Questions
How long does paint take to cure on acrylic?
Most spray paints are dry to the touch in under an hour but take much longer to harden; Krylon Fusion All-In-One is touch dry in 20 minutes and handleable in an hour at 77 °F, with a recoat window of within 2 hours or after 48 hours. Don't stack or wrap painted parts until they're fully hard.
How do I remove paint from acrylic?
Water-based paint usually comes off with warm soapy water and a soft plastic scraper. Plaskolite's guide removes other paints by soaking in a 15% caustic soda or trisodium phosphate solution, which doesn't craze acrylic but burns skin, so wear gloves and goggles. Never use acetone or paint thinner.
Will painted acrylic hold up outdoors?
Back-painted acrylic holds up well because the paint is shielded from weather by the sheet. Use outdoor-rated paint and seal the back. Front-painted parts weather like any painted surface.
Do I need primer to paint acrylic?
Not for back-painting with a paint made for plastics; a clean, dry, static-free surface is enough. For front-painted parts that get handled, a light 400 to 600 grit scuff and a plastic adhesion promoter improve grip.