Thread: Paint for toys

G'Day "swk",
I just use water based acrylic paints; interior house paints.
Mainly gloss but if I use any other say matt or semi-gloss, I give the whole toy a coat of clear gloss pressure pack.
This protects the colour with a hard coat coverage, even on the gloss acrylic paints.
I know others do different finishes, but I hope one prespective helps.
Cheers, crowie

PS - make sure you always add a flat washer or two between the wheel & the toy, even a nylon flat washer for ease of movement....

U-beaut have a range of dyes that are just the thing you need.
witch1

this is the only non toxic paint ecolour Australian Made Non Toxic Paint - No VOCs

What about milk paint? Made from milk. You can buy it from a few places. Or you can even make your own. if you add ceramic stains to them for colour they should still be non toxic, cos ceramic colours are inert.

Environmentally friendly, VOC free, non-toxic paint for chemically sensitive individuals

Naturals

Homemade Milk Paint Recipe - Real Milk Paint ®

here's a better picture.

the milk paint sounds interesting to experiment with (I've made white washes in the long distant past) but I don't think it is what I am looking for.

Regards
SWK

What about milk paint, and a few coats of shellac afterwards for the glossy effect?

Best regards.

what about sucking up to the man responsible for these forums and doing yourself a favour at the same time (win-win situation available here)and enquiring about U-BEAUT'S new foodsafe water-based dyes, that has to be the best answer !!!!
witch1

I use U-Beaut dyes on about half my trucks with a water based varnish over the top. The rest I use 2 pack car paint because customers want their truck colours .I sell 10 to 15 trucks a week. $150 to $250 each Everyone loves the u beaut colours.
Phil

Gooday swk,
In reply to your query as to what paint I used on the toys mentioned.
The paints are acrylic. A white acrylic undercoat, well sanded, then a couple of top coats sanded in between then two coats of clear spray enamel over the top.
The wheels are recessed with a flat wood bit and flanged roofing screws for the axles.
I have read a lot about the paints - and have come to the conclusion that most paints, (except the old type lead paint), are evidently quite safe after drying COMPLETELY.
That is - when all the active ingredients have evaporated.
I am no chemist - but this is what I have extrapolated from the reams of data on the subject.
Note - I do have some U-beaut stains that I will use on the next editions.
Stationary

Ta for that reply Stationary.
From the pictures I thought they must have been enamel paints you used. I didn't think of an enamel varnish over another type of paint.

You obviously don't have problems using the two types of paint together. In the long distant past I did a job where I tried to use enamel and (I think) acrylic in different coats and the paints blistered ferociously. I haven't mixed paint types since then.

There seems to be a lot of strong support for the U Beaut dyes, which is interesting. I hadn't thought of dyes and they don't look too expensive for a set, so I'll get some and have a play, but I was looking for something with a bit stronger pigment.

Regards
SWK

Oh I forgot to say you can mix the ubeaut straight into your waterbased vanish and paint straight on gives it a richer finish (more that see through gloss look)after a few coats. only mix as much as you need and it doesn't chip off like the spray can paint can.

It is amazing how many people ask is that lead based paint. It has not been used since about late 1950s. I normally answer with No we use this new radio active sludge.
Phil

Does anybody have experience with food colouring? How does it perform long term, and should one give it a cost of Danish oil or something to preserve the timber. I use mainly pine for my toys at this stage, later on will try more *exotic* timbers.

Are you looking for Australian made paint or does that not matter?

I use Marabu Decorlack at the moment. German acrylic based paint which is meant for toys and is saliva resistant, so the kids can put it in their mouth without a problem. Available in a range of colors. Not cheap, but not overpriced either (I think).

Thanks Pogo.

I am not too fussed about the source of the paint at this stage. More in a try it and see way. However, that Marabu stuff looks very much what I was thinking.
I don't see it on Marabu's Australian website, but assume you get it from there.

Regards
SWK