Acrylic Sheeting
Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), known by the trade names Crylux, Plexiglas, Acrylite, Lucite, and Perspex is among several transparent thermoplastics often used in sheet form as a shatter-resistant alternative to glass. PMMA is an excellent choice for acrylic painting. No size or ground is needed.
Prepare by cleaning with mild soap and water. Light abrasion may be necessary to improve adhesion.
For work in oils, watercolors, and dry drawing media, applying an acrylic ground, gel, or paste is recommended to alter the surface’s absorbency and/or texture.
Article: The Value of Plastics as a Painting Support
Article: Painting with Oils on Non-Porous Substrates
Article: Acrylics on Plastics
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To draw with charcoal on plexiglass what ground would I use? Or do you recommend another drawing medium other than charcoal?
Thank you for your question. You could apply a variety of acrylic grounds, pastes, or paint as a ground for charcoal on acrylic sheeting. Some options could be Pastel Ground, Fine Pumice Gel, Coarse Molding Paste, Fluid Micaceous Iron Oxide, to name a few. It depends if you would like a colored ground or a translucent one. Fluid Matte Medium could also be used if you would like a translucent one, but it would still be cloudy. A Gloss Medium would be clear. If you would like a different drawing tool that would be less fragile on the surface, you could use our High Flow paint in refillable markers. We have provided links below to many options, we hope will be helpful and if you have any other questions, feel free to email us at help@goldenpaints.com
Acrylic Grounds For Drawing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgPozaGNHPM
Drawing on Pastel Ground:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASS1OZG_Bgw
Micaceous Iron Oxide:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QdFLw9UEEo
Fine Pumice Gel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNBnhVAkYbc
Making A Mark on Acrylics:
https://justpaint.org/make-a-mark/
High Flow in Markers:
https://justpaint.org/high-flow-acrylic-application-pen-and-markers/
I need to paint on acrylic sheets, they are only about 6′ by 12′ in size. I tested a rattle can and got terrible results, the paint spidered and had spots. It was in my garage and was about 47 degrees in the garage, the rattle cans had been brought to room temp in the house and shaken well before application. These pieces are to to be the face plates of mock electronic panels for a Star Wars desk I’m making my grandson. With the results I got with rattle, I don’t think I can try that again. I have a hobby air gun and water based acrylic airbrush paints as well as Alclad lacquer paints. Forgive my questions, but is this going to happen with these paints also? I feel like I’m going to ruin the piece and cant time wise, cant afford to order replacement acrylic precut and engraved panels. Thanks for any help or suggestions you all may have.
Hi Paul,
Thanks for your question. It can depend on the type of plastic sheeting. Most acrylic sheeting will take water-based acrylic paints with no problem, especially when they are sprayed onto the surface. It is unclear why the spray paint did not lay down well. Often it needs to have enough product sprayed onto the surface from the proper distance to get good results. There needs to be enough product on the surface so the paint can level out to form a smooth film. If the can is held too far away or if it is sprayed too lightly, it can leave a pebbly look on the surface. It also sounds like the can tip may have been sputtering. Turning the can over and spraying upside down first can sometimes clear the nozzle. If the application on the plastic is not too bad, you may be able to let it dry enough to sand the surface, then come back for another couple coats to get uniform solid color using the same aerosol product.
Here is a video about proper spray application of our aerosol varnish. This technique can be applied to any type of spray application: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE5lZUyoj-U
Here is a video about tips for spraying acrylics through an airbrush: https://www.goldenpaints.com/videos/tips-for-acrylic-spraying-and-airbrush
Best wishes on the desk!
Greg
Hello Paul, thanks for your question. You are on the right track. A light scuffing or sanding can provide more surface area for mechanical adhesion. Clean with a mild dish detergent, not alcohol as alcohol can cause microcracking in the acrylic sheeting. With acrylics we have seen good adhesion when applied directly to unsanded acrylic sheeting, but we have not tested acrylic gouache specifically. Keep in mind that adhesion will improve over time and it may take longer on non-porous surfaces. Acrylics on Non-Porous Substrates, let us know if you have questions help@goldenpaints.com
Scott