If you have an item made of aluminum, you might want to paint it a different color to brighten it up, change the color, or just protect the surface. Acrylic paint is extremely versatile and can stick to most surfaces, but is aluminum one of those surfaces?
So, can you use acrylic paint on aluminum? Yes! Luckily, acrylic paint does easily stick to aluminum surfaces. You will need to prepare it first to enhance the adhesion and prevent peeling or chipping in the future. You can do this with an acrylic primer and sandpaper. You will also need to seal the surface after painting to protect it.
Before you paint the aluminum surface, you will need to consider where the item will be located. If it is going to be inside all the time, you can use a simple acrylic sealant. If the item is going to be outside, you will need a sealant that is weather resistant and will offer extra protection.
How to Use Acrylic Paint on Aluminum and Metal
When you are painting an aluminum or metal surface, the first thing you will need to do is prepare the surface. If there are other fixtures that you don’t want to get paint on, take them off. If they don’t come off, you can use masking tape to cover them.
My favorite and top pick is always Arteza Acrylic Paints. They have so many different colors, and the quality is amazing! I usually use Arteza Paints for all my projects.
If the item has already been painted, you will need to scrape off any chipped paint. If not, scrape off any rust that might be on the surface. Wipe the area, then use sandpaper and a wire brush to get any stubborn bits of paint or rust off the surface. Next, you will want to clean the surface with some soapy water and let it dry.
For the primer, you are going to want an acrylic primer that is designed specifically to be used on metal surfaces. Apply a thin, even coat of primer to the surface and let it dry before adding another coat. It is recommended that you apply at least two coats to protect the surface from oxidation.
I recommend using Mont Marte Primer. It works great on all surfaces, and even works with oil paints and gouache!
The primer will also work to protect the metal from corrosion and other exposure. After applying the second coat of primer, let it dry. You can then start to apply the paint to the surface.
Just like the primer, you will apply the paint in thin, even layers. Make sure you let each layer dry before adding the next layer of paint. Two layers should be plenty, but you can add more if you feel you need better coverage than what two layers gives you.
Depending on what you are hoping for the final outcome, you can use a spray acrylic or a brush-on acrylic. If you are painting the entire surface one color, spray paint will be easier and quicker. If you want to create a design on the surface, you will want to use a brush-on acrylic.
If the item is going to be outside often, you should try to find an outdoor acrylic paint. If you can’t find an outdoor one, don’t worry. You can just use an outdoor acrylic sealer and get the same protection.
Will Paint Stay on Aluminum?
Aluminum is a very slick, non-porous material. This means that when it isn’t prepared properly, paint will have a hard time sticking to the surface. It is essential that you have a rough surface to work with, as well as a primer for a base.
To get the paint to stick the best, you will want to slightly rough up the surface to add texture. Some different things you can use to rough up the surface include aluminum sanding paper, an angle grinder, a blasting unit, and a handheld sander.
You should only use a blasting unit outside and on projects that have a large surface area. If you are working on a small project, you can use the other sanding tools inside with no problems. You want to be gently, as the surface only needs to be slightly roughed up.
When you choose a primer, you will need to pick one that is designed for aluminum or metal surfaces. This can be a self-etching primer. Using a primer like this helps the paint job last longer and look better on the surface. Without the right primer, the aluminum will still try to oxidize under the paint, resulting in chips, cracks, and peeling.
Do I Need to Prime Aluminum Before Painting?
Applying a primer is an extremely essential part of painting on an aluminum surface. You need to use a primer that is designed specifically for the job. You should be able to find an aluminum primer or a metal primer that will work just fine.
You can also use a self-etching primer. This type of primer is formulated with multiple different chemicals that applies tiny, microscopic etches onto the surface of the aluminum. This will enhance the adhesion of the paint to the surface for the best, easiest bond.
A self-etching primer is incredibly easy to apply to the surface. When you spray the primer onto the surface, spray it in thin, even coats and follow the instructions on the spray can.
After you apply this primer, you are going to let it dry. Then, you will want to sand the surface a second time using sandpaper. This will enhance the microscopic etches on the surface and give you a much better surface to paint on. Wipe away any dust with a clean and dry lint-free cloth.
How Do You Seal Acrylic Paint on Aluminum?
For the best protection possible, you will want to seal your acrylic paint on the aluminum surface. If the item is going to be kept inside, you can use any kind of acrylic sealer that you want. If the item is going to be outside often, you will want a sealant that can withstand the different weather conditions.
I highly recommend using Mod Podge Outdoor Sealer, if you plan on having your painted item outside. This special formula is designed to fight off rust and other weather conditions.
Before adding a sealant, you will want the paint to have plenty of time to cure. While acrylic dries pretty quickly, you might want to wait at least 24 hours before applying a sealant for the best results.
There are a couple of options when it comes to which sealant will be best for the job. First, there is the one I mentioned above, Mod Podge Outdoor Formula. This will protect your painted aluminum from different elements, especially rain and humidity.
Another fantastic option is a Rust-Oleum Universal Clear Coat. There are even different finish options you can choose from including gloss, hammered, dead flat, and frosted pearl. This sealant is a spray that will protect your paint from UV rays, fading, and chipping.
Final Thoughts
There are many different reasons you might want to paint an aluminum surface from just changing it up to providing it with extra protection. Since acrylic paint is an extremely versatile product, it makes the perfect option for painting an aluminum surface. Even though it is great, you will still need to prepare the surface for adhesion.
Since aluminum is a slick, non-porous material, it is important to rough up the surface and use a primer to ensure the paint will stick and not chip or peel. You will also want to add a sealant on top of the paint after you are finished to protect it from fading and chipping.
Make sure to follow all my tips and recommended products to ensure your acrylic painted aluminum project turns out great! Also, don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your painting Q&A’s. Happy painting!
