Paint and Paint Applicators
When choosing paint for stenciling, your first priority is how
quickly does it dry? Your stencil must stay in place until the paint
dries. That can be very time consuming on a big project. Water based
paints, better known as emulsions, are made of latex. These paints dry
quickly and come in a great selection of colors. Clean up is simple with
hot soapy water.
The surfaces best suited to water based paints are those that are
also painted with water based paints. Emulsions cannot adhere to oil
based paints. An example of this is gloss. However, there is an
exception to this rule, if done properly. Acrylics which are water based
will adhere over an egg shell (oil based) background. The trick is to
protect the paint with polyurethane varnish. Working on a glossy surface
changes the considerations you will take in planning your project. You
will prefer to work with a slower drying paint such as oil based paint.
The advantage to this is you can blend the paint in more of a subtle way
as it dries. Oil based paints are best for one design on a stenciling
card. It’s very difficult to repeat a pattern as you cannot lay the card
on the preceding work without smudging it. Clean for up for oil based
paints and brushes is white spirits. It can be found in most hardware
and general merchandise stores.
Spray paints dry quickly and work well with difficult surfaces such
as wood, metal, glass and fabrics. You will find though there are
specific paints for specific materials. The challenge with spray paint
is finding the exact color you desire for your project. It’s possible to
apply spray in different colors to achieve the one you require. This is
done by misting lightly the surface with one color and then the other.
This technique will also soften the pattern and add depth to your
design.
Acrylic paints used by artist can be found in craft stores and of
course in an artist supply store. The advantage to acrylics is the
variety in color. Almost anything you can imagine is found in acrylics,
and the option to mix is always available. They dry quickly, and are
waterproof. The consistency is thick and rarely do they bleed under the
stencil. Being water-based they can tint emulsions. The downside to
acrylics is the cost. They can become quite expensive if your project is
very large.
Paint applicators can also be found at craft stores and artist
supplies stores. A stencil is usually recommended to the beginner. They
are round and packed tightly with short stiff bristles. They prevent
bleeding under the stencil as this type of brush does not carry a
quantity of paint. If you are just beginning to stencil, hold off buying
brushes and, instead, try this: Purchase a small decorating brush. These
are more reasonable and will give you the chance to see if stenciling is
something you are going to begin doing regularly. Check out all sizes of
decorating brushes. You may find a trimming one works best. If you are
happy with this type of brush, then there is no need to purchase others!
Another material that can be used to apply paint is upholstery foam
rubber. Cut in squares 1-2 inches wide and 2 inches thick. Cut an even
smaller piece to work in small areas. These you can dispose of when you
are done. No cleanup is necessary. Natural sponges are also a nice
applicator to work with but are expensive. Look in your own home for
foam rubber you can repurpose for your projects.
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