New surfaces are popping up all the time now that “unique” and “creative” have become the ways to do things. Paper, floorcloths, glass, ceramics, tile, trash-to-treasure woods and metals. The surfaces are irresistible to paint, and sometimes impossible to figure out how to prep.
Lots of surfaces come straight from the supplier pre-prepped and ready-to-paint. For those that don’t, here are some helpful tips and instructions for preparing your painting surfaces.
Wood
If the wood is old, sand the original finish or paint layers to remove the gloss so fresh paint will adhere. Repair dents, holes and ruts with a wood filler that matches the color of the wood. Because filler shrinks as it dries, overfill the hole. Let dry, sand, and wipe clean with a lint-free tack cloth. Reinforce any loose or old joints with wood glue.
sanding tips
Use a sanding block or sandpaper wrapped around a small block of wood to give yourself something to grip and to help you use even pressure. You especially don’t want to use too much pressure at the corners and edges of your surface.
To reach tight, small spots, wrap some sandpaper around a small, thin object, such as a pen or pencil, or fold a piece in half to make a sturdy edge.
Sand in the direction of the wood grain. Use rough- or medium-grit sandpaper before sealing, and fine-grit sandpaper afterward when you want to raise just a little grain for texture or to smooth a basecoat.
Staining
You might choose to stain the wood to make it darker and to enhance the texture of the grain. First think about how the stain will interact with the design you’re going to paint. If you need light, even color to avoid overwhelming your design, seal the wood first so it will absorb less of the stain. To achieve deep, rich color, stain first, then seal (see “Sealing” below).
To stain, brush or wipe the stain onto the wood, following the direction of the grain. Let set for a minute, then wipe off the excess with a tack cloth. Repeat as desired, then let dry overnight. If you’re painting with acrylics over an oil-based stain, be sure to apply a layer of sealer over the stain before painting.
Sealing
For old or new wood, apply sealer to act as a moisture barrier between the paint and the wood. Sealer also smooths the surface so the paint will flow onto it smoothly. You can use matte spray sealer or varnish to seal the wood, or use primer or gesso to basecoat and seal in one step. For pieces with a heavy wood grain, which carries a lot of tannin that can bleed into your paint, look for a sealer specifically labeled as “tannin-blocking.”
Let dry and sand again. If you apply multiple coats of sealer, let dry and sand between each coat.
Glass, Ceramics and Tile
Wash the surface with either rubbing alcohol, a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar, hot soapy water, or water mixed with mild detergent (or window cleaner). Let dry and wipe clean with a lint-free tack cloth. Avoid touching the areas where you’ll be applying paint; the oils from your hands will prevent the paint from adhering to the glass.
Most glass enamel paints require baking to permanently adhere the paint to the surface, but check the paint manufacturer’s instructions; you might need to apply a surface conditioner or acrylic binding primer before painting, instead of baking after painting.
Metal
Some metal and tin surfaces come already basecoated from the supplier. If not, wipe the surface with a rag and acetone to remove any oily residue. Or wash the piece in hot, soapy water and leave in the sun for several hours to dry. Spray with a rust-inhibiting primer and let dry. For old pieces, first remove rust with Naval Jelly, which you can find at auto stores.
Fabric
Wash the fabric (without fabric softener) to remove the sizing. Tumble dry. To prevent the paint from bleeding through, place a piece of cardboard underneath the layer of fabric you’ll be painting. Pin the fabric down or attach it with tape to keep it in place. Use a spray bottle to lightly spray water on the area so the paint will flow from the brush smoothly.
Watercolor Paper
Many watercolor papers have a strong, starch-like coating called sizing, which prevents the paper from absorbing moisture from the paint, says watercolor painter Paul Brent. However, the sizing also can cause paint to bubble up a bit at the edges of brush strokes. To make sure your strokes create clean edges and that the paint adheres to the paper, lightly pre-wash the paper with clean water. You may choose to tape or pin watercolor paper into place to keep it from buckling as you apply wet paint.
Other Types of Paper
Apply several coats of acrylic spray sealer, letting dry between coats, to protect the paper from the moisture in the paint.
Masonite
Basecoat with acrylic paint, then spray with a matte spray finish and let dry.
Canvas and Floorcloths
If the canvas doesn’t come primed, simply add a few coats of gesso to create a smooth surface, and let dry. The gesso also can act as a basecoat for your design.
Candles
Wipe the surface with a tack cloth and rubbing alcohol and let stand approximately one hour. Like glass, avoid touching the parts of the surface you’ll be painting. No other preparation is required, but you can mix candle and soap painting medium with your paints to help them adhere.
Gourds
Dorothy Egan offers the following advice for this popular painting surface: If mold is on the surface, soak the gourd in a tub with a solution of water and a small amount of bleach for several hours, or wrap the gourd in a wet towel and set it in the sun to dry. Then scrub off the mold with a copper kitchen scrubbing pad or a stiff, natural brush. Remove really stubborn spots with a dull knife or a file. Lightly spray with matte spray finish before painting.
Leaves
Place each leaf between two paper towels to absorb moisture. Position the leaves and paper towels between the pages of a heavy book, then set bricks or other heavy objects on the book. The goal is to get as much weight onto the leaf as possible. Change the paper towels after a few days. In a few more days, the leaves should be ready to paint without further preparation.
Other Surfaces
For other surfaces, look for multipurpose sealer in paint, craft and hardware stores, and read the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure the sealer will work on your particular surface. DAW
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