Thread: Acrylic paint + finish?

The best option would be to coat it with an acrylic varnish. You can get them in flat, semi-gloss or gloss finish. Here in New Zealand I have used Wattyl and I am sure that you can get the same brand in Aus. I am assuming that The Great White North is in Aus.

Hi gcconspiracy and welcome,
rtfarty's suggestion is a good one for treating your finished work.

For future projects though, you might want to consider getting hold of an acrylic with a gloss finish. Like clear coatings, pigmented (coloured) come in a variety of finish levels from Glossy to Flat. Sometimes manufacturers use labelling terms like high gloss, semi-gloss, matte, satin and low-sheen. And other terms too. Ask your supplier for advice on labelling. It's essentially an ordinal scale of shiny-ness.

It's also worth testing small paint samples (both different colours and gloss levels) on a scrap piece of the same wood beforehand to see the final as-dry appearance. Remember that the same paint on different timbers may finish differently too.

Of course you could go with a natural finish and use timbers that are naturally different colours. Or stain.

And my guess is you're Canadian.

Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated! I will have to do some shopping and see what they have at the local hardware store. And yes, I am in fact Canadian.

Alright, well I got some acrylic lacquer (it was in a spray can), and I am very pleased with the results!

even tho I'm not a big fan of paint wood, This is a good piece of work, i like how the finish ended up with the lacquer, looks nice

Originally Posted by BenBrown

even tho I'm not a big fan of paint wood, This is a good piece of work, i like how the finish ended up with the lacquer, looks nice

Thanks, as a new carver that is a huge encouragement to me!