TL;DR: Acrylic paint on wood is a versatile and beginner-friendly way to create durable, eye-catching artwork—if you follow the right prep and finishing steps. This guide walks readers through choosing the right wood, preparing surfaces, and protecting their final piece for long-lasting results.
- How to choose the best surfaces, from wood panels to hardwoods and safe reclaimed pallets
- Essential prep steps like sanding, carving, and applying gesso for better paint adhesion
- Tips for handling moisture, sap, and preventing warping over time
- Creative techniques like painting with the grain or exposing natural wood textures
- How to seal and protect acrylic paint on wood using varnishes and proper storage practices
Are you considering new options for painting surfaces and have an interest in painting on wood? More specifically, do you want to ensure you offer a reliable paint application to your wooden material? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got all the most critical insights to help you with proper preparation for your next painting project.
In this article, we will cover the fundamental information needed to start using acrylic paints on wood. We’ll answer common questions, such as “does acrylic paint work on wood” to help you become a better and more informed artist.
A great place to start with painting on wood with acrylics is:
What Types of Wood?
There are many different woods to consider for various art projects. And each imbues a distinctive touch of organic beauty into a finished painted piece. The choice of wood is yours, but beyond wood choice, there are some prep and finishing considerations to keep in mind when working.
With this in mind, below will be some basic guidelines for picking out wood from various sources. We’ve also included some important constraints to keep in mind when making your selection.
WOOD PANELS
If you don’t want to spend a lot of time sourcing quality wood, the easiest thing to do is get some wood panels. These come gessoed and un-gessoed depending on your preference as well as in a variety of thicknesses.
Wood panels are also great for a painting on wood with acrylics thanks to their even nature and the lack of abberations and sap.
These can also come precut in a variety of shapes outside of the simple square or rectangle. Everything from clean triangles to circles with beveled edges are available at your local craft store. If unavailable in your area, online options are available as well.
HARDWARE WOODS
Your standard hardware store or local lumberyard might have what you’re looking for as well. There are a few parameters to keep in mind however as lumber for building will have different standards than ones for painting.
Keep in mind you want to pick woods that are resistant to moisture and don’t warp over time. If you can get wood that has been kiln treated, do so. The lower the moisture content the better as well, with an ideal moisture content being around 9-11%.
Hard wood tends to allow for creating a smooth surface to work with. As such, this makes it ideal for painting on. However, it can be more expensive and heavier. While softwoods are easier to work with in terms of carving, sanding, and price, they can warp more easily. Birch is a good option as it's popular, easily accessible, and easy to sand.
PALETTES? – NO, THE OTHER KIND: PALLETS
Used pallets are an option if you are able to find them locally and have the tools to get them apart. There are some things to keep in mind when gathering pallets that are necessary for safety and your project's lifespan.
Get dry pallets that have the symbol “HT” somewhere on them. This means they are heat treated to prevent pests and bugs from living inside the wood. “KD,” which means kiln dried to reduce moisture, will also work. This means that you will have greater success for the longevity of your wood projects.
Warning! Using any pallets with the marking of “MB” is not advised to use. As this means that the wood was treated with a strong pesticide, Methyl Bromide. When sanding this can cause a long list of health issues and side effects, which makes these pallets unsafe for DIY projects.
If there are no markings at all, use caution when working with recycled pallet wood. Use gloves, protective eyewear, and a respirator if you are at all unsure.
Preparing Surfaces
There are a few basic steps you’ll need to follow in order to ensure that your wood is prepped to receive paint. These steps will make sure that the colors you pick will stay vibrant while also filling every nook and cranny. And they’ll ensure your finished work when painting on wood with acrylics looks stunning.
Here are a few preparation tips:
CARVING
There is a long history of carving in relief and adding paint to the surface. From religious iconography to making wooden figures, carving can be an interesting way to add dimension and interest to your work. Ideally, you would stick to soft woods that can be more easily carved and sanded.
Something to keep in mind when carving is intricacy. Specifically speaking: the more detailed the carving is, the thinner your application of paint needs to be. Be sure to follow the instructions for your paint for correct dilution. Using a product like Novaplex can help get your medium to heavy body acrylics to a fluid state. And this fluid state will be ideal for showcasing the work’s finer details.
SANDING
Sanding is ideal if you want a smooth surface to work on. Depending on how rough the surface is to start with, you will need to begin with a rougher, or lower grit, sandpaper. Over time as you sand, work your way up to a higher grit.
If there are a lot of imperfections and bumps in the wood, starting with a 40-60 grit would be a good place to begin. You can then, gradually, work your way up to 250-300 to finish it off. You can use either an orbital sander, which will be more expensive, for flat surfaces or a sanding block, which is the more economical choice.
If you have carved elements, I recommend getting a soft sanding block so that you can get into small grooves with precision. These are even more delicate than fine grit sandpaper. If the project is small enough, you can even get nail buffs in different grits at your local beauty supply store as well.
Sometimes you may want to leave a bit of texture for aesthetic reasons, such as going for a distressed or weathered look. In that case, stay in the lower grit territory or skip sanding altogether.
No matter which looks you are going for, sanding is the key for fine detailed finishing. However, always keep in mind the way sanding can help pull together the textural nature of your work.
GESSO
Gesso is a key step for your wood projects as it will provide the ideal surface for your acrylics to cling to.
White gesso is ideal for when you want your colors to pop and be vibrant. Black Gesso is great if you have lots of small details, so when you add paint on top it will look more like a natural highlight. Clear gesso is ideal if you want more of the wood to show beneath your colors, or if you want parts of the wood to be shown.
Gesso can be thinned with some water and applied in more coats if you have intricate details in your wood or carved elements.
Once your gesso is applied and dried, take a look again at the texture and decide if you need another pass at sanding. Stick to a higher grit (250 should be fine) as it does not take much to knock gesso back. Likely, given the thickness of gesso, there might be brush strokes left in the gesso you might prefer to sand away. Apply 1-3 coats depending on your preference and the instructions for your gesso.
Check out What other artists are buying after reading!
FINDING SAP OR MOISTURE
This is less of a concern for pre-made wood panels and more for upcycled wood you are trying to use. If you happen to find sap or moisture, it may be time to re-evaluate your materials.
Sap can be resolved with certain oil soaps and shellacs. If not applied or cleaned properly, it can result in the sap bubbling beneath your paint creating an uneven texture. Be sure to read the instructions on all materials used to get rid of or create a barrier between the sap and your paint and make sure that those products are compatible with acrylics.
As for moisture, (as in oops! I left the pallet outside during April!) the best thing to do is find a place to let the wood dry completely. While times will vary by piece and setting, it’s ideal to allow it to dry for ideally 4-6 weeks. This will ensure you’ve given enough time for the paint layer to dry.
If the wood does not warp, then that is a good sign to go ahead and use it. However, it is important to keep in mind that wood is a porous material, there is always a risk of warping, especially over an extended period.
Painting
I could say paint to your heart's desire (and do so!). However, let's get the creative juices flowing a bit with a few creative ideas.
FOLLOW THE GRAIN
Wood grain flows in a way that is truly nature’s beauty so do not be hesitant to show it off! Use assorted colors to paint in the rings or knots of the woodgrain to really highlight the wood itself for a unique look.
Faces and figures have been painted on trees from everything to Snow White to the Legend of Zelda. If you see elements of a figure or expression in the grain, do not ignore it! You could have something one of a kind in your hands!
EXPOSED WOOD
Use a clear gesso as a base and wipe away your acrylics with a dry brush or old rag to show the wood beneath! This is great for minute details or for carvings you really want to highlight.
This could also be used when painting on flat surfaces if you want to highlight the wood by masking it off with tape or butcher paper. This ensures the acrylic paint dries purely where you want it to (and nowhere else on the surface)!
CLASSICAL ICONS
Wooden icons were also exceedingly popular during the Byzantine era, 3rd century CE. Often these would come in single painted panels, however these can also have three or more pieces of wood attached with hinges. While you do not have to use religious imagery specifically, having your base material be wood means you can use more hardware such as hinges and latches. This helps to create more interactive pieces once the paint adheres to the surface.
The Final Touches
So, your beautiful wooden creation is finally finished and your paint is completely dried. Now it’s time to consider the last few details that will ensure your work is secure, protected and ready to display.
VARNISHING CHOICES
Varnish is essential in keeping moisture out of your wood. But it also protects the acrylics from various forms of damage thanks to its smooth finish. Truly, varnishing is an important finishing step to seal acrylic paint on wood.
There are varnishes that are designed for exterior use, which will help keep the paint from degrading as quickly. You will need to seal the wood for a long lasting look. But remember: you’ll need to seal the entirety of your wooden surface for the best protection.
But how to seal acrylic paint on wood? Read on!
There are also shellacs and oils, available at your local hardware stores. These can be good at protecting the wood itself, but not always the acrylics. So be sure when selecting your products to check that there won’t be any adverse reactions with the acrylics.
For pieces that will remain indoors, you can use a varnish for when the piece comes into contact with sunlight and light scuffing. Nova Color has both matte and gloss options for protecting your work with a low shine or glossy finish, respectively.
LONGEVITY CONSIDERATIONS
In general, for maximum longevity of the work, you’ll want to avoid storing pieces in humid environments. Excess moisture can cause the wood to rot and create ideal environments for mold and bacteria which can eat away at your wood.
Avoiding sun exposure is important for the paint as even when the acrylics are lightfast. The UV rays will degrade paint over time, leading to imperfections.
Leaving the piece outside, especially for long periods of time and through the seasons, means trouble for your piece. The change in heat and humidity alone can cause the wood to warp and bend, potentially damaging the artwork.
MOUNTING OPTIONS AND WEIGHTY WOOD
Hanging hardware can also be found at your local hardware store and can be easily installed with some basic tools. It’s best to keep in mind the overall weight of the piece as most hardware will be rated by the max weight it can hold.
More lightweight wooden boards can be hung with basic sawtooth picture hangers or temporary adhesive hooks.
Heavier items can be hung with D ring hangers and wire, which can come in convenient kits.
If you’re setting the wood on the ground, you might want to set it off the floor with a small platform or stand.
Final Thoughts
Now that we’ve answered, “Can you use acrylic paint on wood,” it’s time to let your creativity fly!
At the end of the day, wooden pieces of art are unconventionally eye-catching. They truly can be unique and a statement for the many types of wood we have access to today. And painting with acrylics on wood offers a chance to blend masterful artistry with unconventional materials. The key is following the right steps for a long-lasting aesthetic.
It’s important to keep in mind the basics about preventing wood warping and preparation for works. This will ensure the pieces are vibrantly enhanced with an application of acrylic paint and your own style.
Explore our collection of acrylic paint for your next wood project.