There are several reasons why people may want to paint over duct tape. For some, it is because they want a unique canvas for their painting. For others, it may be because duct tape is covering up a repair job and people want to cover it up with a lick of paint.
So, can you use acrylic paint on duct tape? Yes, you can. You may have to take a couple of precautions such as ensuring that the acrylic paint is not too watered down. However, for the most part, as long as you use a quality duct tape, then you should have no issues painting onto it using acrylic paint.
In this article we go over everything you need to know for using acrylic paint on duct tape. Let’s read on!
How to Paint Duct Tape
Painting on duct tape is pretty simple, and it’s somewhat they same as painting on any other canvas. However, you will need to make sure of the following you have a good quality duct tape, and acrylic paints.
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.
The quality of the duct tape is very important. Many people have reported that the paint tends to bond a little bit better to higher-quality tape. This is important, because you likely will not be using a base coat on the tape. If you use a quality tape, then the acrylic paint shouldn’t bleed underneath of it, which is great if the duct tape is covering a temporary repair job where it will eventually be removed.
As we mentioned before, there is no need to use a base coat on the tape. There are only two times that we would recommend that you use a base coat. The first is if you are using a duct tape with a glossy finish. You may struggle to get your main layer of acrylic paint to stick to it, so the base coat is going to be a little bit of extra protection for you.
I recommend using The Original Duct Tape for your acrylic paint project. It’s durable and premium quality, so your paint will adherer to it nicely.
You may also need to use a base coat if the duct tape is brightly colored, or a wildly different color to the main paint that you are using. The base coat will help to dull the coloring a bit, which always does help when you are using acrylic paint.
The key to painting with acrylic paint on duct tape is to not water down the acrylic paint too much. The more you water it down, the less chance that you have of it sticking to the duct tape. Acrylic paint itself is nice and thick, so it doesn’t need any water added to it.
As for drying time, acrylic paint dries super fast, so don’t be surprised if by the time you re done with your project, the paint is already dry! Typically acrylic paint dries on canvas in about 15-30 minutes, depending on how many layers you used.
Does Frog Tape Work with Acrylic Paint?
If you have used painter’s tape with acrylic paint before, then you will know that there is often a small amount of bleed through. Frog tape is marketed as one of the best painter’s tapes on the market.
Many people that use frog tape for their painting projects have found that the acrylic paint doesn’t get through it at all. This means that frog tape is going to be perfect for those that want to mask off sections of their painting to get those beautiful, straight lines.
Of course, in order to guarantee that there will be no bleed through, you will have to make sure that the tape is stuck down nice and tight. There are some surfaces that frog tape will not stick to, so bear that in mind.
If you find that the frog tape is not sticking down properly, then chances are that the surface is either too dirty or too moist. Wiping it off with a lint-free cloth should be more than enough for you to get it clean. You can then try again.
If you want to ensure that the area you marked with the Frog Tape stays free of acrylic paint, then you will want to ensure that you let the acrylic paint fully dry before you remove the Frog Tape. This may take over a day. As we mentioned before, when you are dealing with tape, you will only ever want to let the area dry naturally.
How Do You Seal Acrylic Paint on Tape?
Sealing acrylic paint on tape is pretty much the same as if you were sealing acrylic paint on a canvas. You will need an acrylic paint sealer or varnish.
I always use Krylon Acrylic Spray Sealer on my acrylic paint projects. It offers great protection against chipping, flaking, and even UV rays.
I recommend starting with one layer about 6 inches away from the acrylic paint. Make sure your project is fully dry before your apply the varnish. If you want more protection you can add another layer, but let the first layer dry before doing the second.
You should let the varnish dry for about 12-24 hours before moving or touching your acrylic painted tape. Always remember to spray the varnish in a well ventilated area, since it does have a strong smell.
Final Thoughts
You can definitely use acrylic paint on duct tape. Make sure to apply the paint in nice even strokes and layers, and let it dry in between coats. You will also have to apply the sealer once the paint is dry, in order to protect your painted project.
Make sure to follow all my tips and recommended products to ensure your acrylic painted project turns out great! Also, don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your painting Q&A’s. Happy painting!
