Acrylic Paint: Why Knowing Your Product Matters

Acrylic paint sounds simple enough, right? You see acrylic on the label and assume you know what you’re getting.

Not necessarily.

One of the most important things I want you to learn as a furniture artist is this: the paint family tells you where to start, but it doesn’t tell you everything you need to know about the product.

Think about those little bottles of acrylic craft paint you’ve probably seen at the store. I’ve used them for stenciling and decorative details for years. They’re acrylic.

But so are some coatings specifically formulated to stand up to the everyday wear and tear we expect from furniture. In fact, professional wood coatings can use acrylics, polyurethane dispersions and blends of resin technologies to achieve different performance characteristics.

Those products aren't interchangeable just because they share the word acrylic.

That’s why I’m always telling you to know your products.

What was it designed for? Does it need a primer? Does it require a topcoat? How long does it take to cure? Is it appropriate for a high-use dresser, tabletop or cabinet—or would I be happier saving it for that cute little stencil?

Those questions matter, especially when you’re painting furniture to sell. Proper surface preparation matters too; even a great coating can fail when contaminants interfere with adhesion.

Ready to listen? Hit play below.