Acrylic Coatings
An acrylic coating is an ideal choice for covering a variety of surface types, indoor and out. With its strong adhesion to a number of surfaces—wood, masonry, metal and some plastic—acrylic can provide exceptional coverage, far exceeding the results of either latex or oil-based products.
Acrylic Coating Uses
Acrylic coatings are water-based, and use acrylic as the binding agent. When properly primed, they will strongly adhere to a number of materials.
Acrylic coatings are ideal for use on:
- Wood
- Fiber cement siding
- Aluminum siding
- Stucco
- Plaster
- Drywall
- Porch floors
Benefits of Acrylic Coatings
- Acrylic coatings offer other advantages as well, including that they are:
- Flexible: Acrylic coatings are able to expand and contract. Since the coating doesn’t crack, water can’t seep beneath it, which prevents the coating from peeling.
- Breathable: Acrylic coatings allow excess moisture to escape without causing loss of adhesion.
- Weather Resistant: Acrylic coatings are UV and fade-resistant to a greater degree than other coatings.
- Quick Drying: Acrylic coatings dry fast, allowing the second coat to be applied sooner.
- Environmentally Friendly: Acrylic coatings emit low levels of VOCs, which makes for a safer, healthier environment.
When not to use an acrylic coating
While acrylic coatings are ideal for many situations, there are still some things to be aware of when determining if they are the best choice for your project. The biggest concern is that an acrylic coating can pull away if it is applied over multiple layers of old oil-based paint. Because this can cause premature peeling or even damage to the wood siding underneath, an acrylic coating may not be the best choice for the exterior of an older home.
Additionally, acrylic coatings are somewhat more likely to show brush marks than oil-based applications, although this can be mitigated with the addition of a conditioning solution. Finally, because acrylic coatings aren’t as hard when they cure, they are more susceptible to scuff marks in high-traffic areas, like baseboards. Even with these few caveats, acrylic coatings stand out as a clear choice for most all projects.
Contact Paint of WNY
To learn more about acrylic coatings and our services, to discuss your project needs or to schedule an appointment, please call (716) 863-1115 or connect with us through our contact form.