How to Dye Faux Fur With Acrylic Paint?

To dye faux fur with acrylic paint, thin out the acrylic paint and mix a fabric medium for longevity and even application. Apply a base coat of the desired color. Once the base coat is dry, add additional layers of paint and let dry between each layer. When you’re done, apply a sealer to ensure longevity.

Dyeing faux fur is an effective way to add a unique and exciting touch to any project. You can create vibrant and colorful designs with acrylic paints that transform faux fur from drab to fab. So, how to dye faux fur with acrylic paint?

However, we’re using acrylic paint here, so you’ll be ‘coloring’ the faux fur instead of actually ‘dyeing’ it. That’s because the fabric absorbs color in the drying process whereas here the paint only sits on the fabric.  

In this blog, we’ll explore the techniques and tips for dyeing to ensure you get the best results possible. Get ready to give your faux fur a brilliant new look!

Difficulties You’ll Face While Dyeing Faux Fur with Acrylic Paint 

Let’s face it, paint is not the ideal medium to color fabrics. You can compare fabric paint vs acrylic paint and make your final decision about which one to go for.

However, acrylic paints are highly versatile and can be changed according to the user’s needs. But, you’ll face a few issues regarding the adhesion and longevity of the paint.

Here’s what might happen when using acrylic paint on faux fur. We have also provided some possible solutions for your convenience. Let’s check them out!

Adherence Issues 

As faux fur is processed and coated before marketing, most of them have a plastic top coat which doesn’t absorb color pigments. Hence, acrylic paint might not adhere to the surface properly no matter how many layers you apply.

What’s the Solution?

Wash the faux fur fabric before applying the paint to weaken or fully remove the top coat. You can use warm water and a mild detergent or dishwasher for this purpose.

Also, choose acrylic paint that is compatible with fabrics.

Fur might Clump 

If you use acrylic paint on faux fur instead of a fabric dye, it’s possible that the paint won’t easily sit on the surface. Besides, acrylic paint particles are larger than typical fabric dyes.

As a result, the fur might stick together and take a hard form after drying.

What’s the Solution?

Thin out the acrylic paint before applying it to the faux fur. You can use water or rubbing alcohol to thin the paint. The proportion of the paint and thinning liquid should be 1:3.

While applying the paint, don’t make the layers too thick. Use multiple thin layers and let the first layer dry before applying a new one. 

Fabric Damage

Not all acrylic paints are compatible with fabrics. Some cheap quality ones contain toxic compounds and harmful chemicals. When you use such paints on faux fur, the fabric might get damaged due to chemical reactions.

What’s the Solution?

Make sure you choose high-quality acrylic paint that’s compatible with fur fabrics. Golden, Winsor & Newton, Liquitex, etc., are some top acrylic paint brands that make fabric-compatible, non-toxic paint.

You can check the label on the paint container or the manufacturer’s official website for the ingredient list. If it contains high amounts of harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, ammonia, or lead, avoid using them on faux fur. 

Insufficient Coverage 

As mentioned, paint pigments don’t dissolve into the fabric. It can lead to uneven coverage, paint streaking, and blotchy color. Improper paint application and insufficient mixing of the paint can also lead to such issues. 

Another issue is that the paint you’re using might not be sufficient to conceal the real color of the faux fur. Therefore, you won’t get the correct shade you prefer. 

What’s the Solution?

Spread the paint evenly on the surface to ensure proper coverage and blotchy color. Also, mix the paint properly with water in the right ratio. Avoid over-applying the paint and use just the right amount to get the perfect shade.

Paint Shed Off After Washing 

Sometimes, acrylic paint doesn’t settle well with faux fur. The color quickly sheds off after washing the fabric. Even if it doesn’t wash away, the color starts fading after some time.

What’s the Solution?

Mix a fabric medium with the paint to avoid paint shedding. After application, let the paint properly dry and cure before you start using it. Acrylic-painted surfaces can take 30 minutes to 2 hours to completely dry. You must give it about 24 hours to fully cure.

Use the right amount of good-quality paint and a water-based sealant that’s suitable for fabrics.

Sealing is an unavoidable part of painting. If you want to design your phone case using acrylic paint, make sure you seal the paint for longevity. Check this out to know how to seal acrylic paint on phone case.

Which Acrylic Paint to Use On Faux Fur?

There are different types of acrylic paint available for various applications. Not all of them are suitable for faux fur as the viscosity and body of the paint are different. Below are the acrylic paint types you can use on faux fur-

Artists’ Grade Acrylic Paint 

This type of acrylic paint is characterized by higher amounts of pigment and fewer additives and fillers. Artists’ grade acrylics are considered the best for their deep colors, opaque nature, and unique texture. You can use this type of acrylic paint on faux fur for vibrant colors and great coverage. 

Moreover, you can thin out artists’ grade acrylic to achieve the perfect consistency you’ll need.

Acrylic Marker 

If you want to create patterns, details, drips, highlights, and splashes of paint, the acrylic marker will be a perfect choice. You only need to press the marker’s nib and release it for saturation. Once fully saturated, you can easily apply paint strokes on the faux fur. Just like a regular pen, you can create any detail you want with high precision.

Acrylic Spray Paint 

With pigments suspended in water, acrylic spray paints are similar to regular acrylic paint available in a spray form. This type of paint comes in handy when you have less time for paint application as no brush application or paint blending is required. Spray paints also dry very fast and they are easy to apply evenly on the faux fur surface.

How to Prepare Acrylic Paint for Faux Fur Dyeing?

Preparing acrylic paint is a key step to getting the best color on faux fur fabric. If you choose good-quality acrylic spray paint, you can skip the preparation. For other paint forms, here’s what you need to do- 

Adding Fabric Medium 

  • When you use acrylic paint on faux fur, it dries to create a stiff and hard layer. Fabric medium helps to reduce this stiffness and make the fur soft and smooth.

It also allows the paint to penetrate the fabric surface better and prevent flaking of the paint. Finally, fabric mediums can make the paint longer lasting on faux fur.

  • The ideal ratio for mixing fabric medium and acrylic paint is 1:2. Fabric mediums are available in liquid forms which makes them easier to mix with acrylics. Also, the medium will thin out the paint a bit. So, you might not have to mix water or other thinning mediums at all.

Thinning Acrylic Paint with Water

  • The purpose of preparing the paint is to get a perfect consistency that’s not too thick or too thin. Artists’ grade and heavy-body acrylic paints are pretty thick and need to be thinned out for even application. Otherwise, the paint might flake off after drying.
  • Water or rubbing alcohol is typically used for thinning acrylic paint. As mentioned, the ratio of paint and water should be 1:3. What you need to do is take a small amount of paint and add water to it with a brush.

Make sure you mix them well for an even consistency. No need to mix larger amounts of paint and want as it might make the mixture lumpy.

Using A Fabric Medium to Create Fabric Paint

  • Some artists don’t like to use water to thin out acrylic paint as it can seep out. You can use different mediums instead of water. For light colored faux fur, choose a transparent gloss medium as it will compliment the real color of the fabric.

If you’re dyeing a dark faux fur fabric, use a matte or opaque gloss medium for better coverage.

  • As different mediums have a different consistency, the ratio of paint and medium isn’t the same for all mediums. So, you need to check the manufacturer’s instructions to know the correct ratio.

Otherwise, first, mix paint and medium in equal amounts. After that, try changing the quantity of paint or medium to find your way to the perfect ratio that works best on faux fur.

Check Paint Compatibility 

  • Although it’s not exactly ‘paint preparation’, applying the paint on a test piece is a crucial step when you’re using acrylic paint on faux fur instead of fabric dye. The process is simple: take a scrap piece of faux fur and apply the prepared acrylic paint on it.
  • You can use a brush or simply pour the paint on the fabric. Spread it evenly and let the surface dry. Once dry, check if the coverage and shade of the paint match your expectations. Also, scan the fabric surface for any kind of damage.
  • Gently rub the dried paint with your nails to see if the paint is coming off. You can also wash the painted faux fur just to check on the longevity of the paint. If everything looks okay, you can go with that paint without any issues.

Applying Acrylic Paint On Faux Fur: A Step-by-Step Guide 

Once you have prepared and tested the acrylic paint, you can get started with the dyeing process. Follow the steps below to dye faux fur with acrylic paint.

Step One – Gather Necessary Items 

You’ll need the following items to complete the dyeing process- 

  • Painter’s mask 
  • Hand gloves 
  • Tape 
  • Paint brush/sponge 
  • Metal/wooden comb 
  • Sealant 

Step Two – Preparation

First, wear a painter’s mask and a pair of hand gloves to protect yourself from paint particles, fumes, and pigments. Things can get messy while applying paint to the fabric. So, cover the area that you don’t want any paint on.

You can use tape to protect the surface or simply place an old rag. Also, clean the faux fur fabric to remove dirt, dust, oil or grease.

Otherwise, such impurities won’t allow the fabric to accept the paint. Before you proceed, let the paint dry completely.

Step Three – Apply Acrylic Paint 

There are multiple ways to apply acrylic paint on faux fur. You can directly pour the paint on the fabric, or use a brush, or a spray bottle.

Using acrylic spray paint or pouring liquid acrylic paint into a spray bottle is the easiest way to apply the paint. If you want to draw patterns and other designs, use acrylic markers.

Spread the faux fur fabric and evenly spray the paint on it. Start from the corner and slowly make your way to the center.

After applying one layer, use a thin metal or wooden comb to brush the fabric in the opposite direction of the fur. This will expose the areas the paint failed to reach. 

Besides, combing will help spread the paint evenly on the surface and prevent the fur from sticking.

You can apply multiple thin layers for better coverage. Just make sure the previous layer is fully dried before you apply a new one.

Step Four – Cure and Seal 

Acrylic paint can take a day or two to fully cure. So, keep the painted fabric in a well-ventilated area for 24 hours to let it cure. After that, you can apply a water-based fabric sealant to protect the color.

Summary 

When dyeing faux fur, preparing the area and wearing gloves when applying the paint is essential. Use spray paint and comb the fur after each application. Allow the fur to dry before continuing, and seal the paint to make it long-lasting.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is acrylic paint permanent on fabric?

No, acrylic paint isn’t permanent on fabric. The paint will start to fade or wash off after some time. However, adding a fabric medium and a sealer can make it longer-lasting on fabric.

What is the difference between acrylic paint and acrylic fabric paint?

Acrylic paint is thicker than regular acrylic fabric paint. It can easily shed off the fabric after drying or washing. Besides, acrylic paint feels stiff and hard on fabric whereas acrylic fabric paint is softer.

Does acrylic paint stain polyester?

Yes, acrylic paint stain polyester. Acrylic paint contains strong pigments which can easily stain any type of surface including polyester. However, the stain can be removed with soap and water if the paint has stayed on the material for some time only.

Final Thoughts 

Dyeing faux fur with acrylic paint is an easy and cost-effective way to customize your faux fur accessories. It is essential to select the right type and brand of paint to ensure your desired effect.  

Using just a few simple steps, you know how to dye faux fur with acrylic paint at home with excellent results. With a bit of practice and the right supplies, you can easily create a colorful, customized look that will last. 

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