Best Paint for Wood Crafts on Various Surfaces & Materials

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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Are you shopping around for the best paint for wood crafts, and you don't know where to start and which one is the best? Several paints claim to be the best in the market that serve different, but they have less or more the same purpose, and as much as you may have great wood crafts, if you don't use the best paint for wood crafts, they become less attractive. Paints usually have unique quality pigments and a unique price point depending on different factors, and the best paint for wood crafts can give your furniture a supreme finish.

Finding the best paints for wood crafts can be a dainty process that will take up too much time, and therefore, we have eased your work by compiling the best paints for wood crafts in the market with their pros and cons and a detailed buying to help you know what to look out for. However, before you choose paint for wood crafts, here is what you need to know.

What kind of paint do you use on wood crafts?

Types Of Wood Craft Acrylic Paints

Various paint types can work for wood crafting, it simply depends on what you prefer, with some considerations.

a) Regular Acrylic Paints

This is one of the most used and efficient, and also the liquid can penetrate natural wood, and makes the ordinary lacquers give excellent performance. These contain the broadest spectrum of coloration and produce new prints of color and also because many are easy to mix, dilute, blend or tint and use an undertone painting.

In some cases, you may apply a sealer to your applied paint so that it stick on the surface or to the applied material appropriately is referred to as a sealant. But, they can be problematic if you are covering previously colored surface and even difficult in terms of adhesion and do not perform well in exterior conditions.

b) Spray-Paint

These types are not common as acrylics are; with spray paints, you can add attributes into your creation that an acrylic cannot offer, and if you get a fade and free-angle spray paint, the flow of work will be enhanced enormously. These will provide a texture quite different from acrylics that will help give your craft a unique personality, though they will be easier to use and take less work.

They complement your set of brushes as they diversify on the kind of styles you will be using and they are refill containers for protective finishes and other topcoats as well. But for a precise and clear-cut printing, that is not possible, and you may have to wear appropriate clothing and apply the spray paint in a well airy and spacious environment.

c) Multi-Surface Acrylics

This makes a great option for professional artists. Basing on them, there comes a good pigment concentration amount which will adhere well on many wooden surfaces and increase the crafted surface lightfastness to enhance its duration. But there again, they can be more costly than standard acrylics.

d) Outdoor Specialized Paints

These paint sets are produced with industrial waterproof quality, and if your craft is outdoor, this is the right paint set for you.

e) Chalk Paint

Chalkboard paint has a small  strong market and they stick well to painted and bare wooden surfaces; you don’t have to prepare the surface well when using these paint types for they do not require a seasoned artist to paint or peel off.

f) Metal-Flake Paints

Like their name, they are made from original metal flakes and compounded into a base. They are ideal protective putters for a wooden painted surface and help to create a sheen on an otherwise raw looking craft work.

g) Pre-Primed, Adhesive-Inducers, And Top Coating Paints

These paint types don’t require a primer and will enhance the stickiness of the previous paint work and these paints have other elements that do not require you to apply a sealant after most of the major crafting process is complete. Such paints may be of chalk, metal flaked, spray on or acrylic types, and these paints will give considerable savings of time and energy enable one to complete his projects at a faster rate with minimal stress.

Paint for Wood Crafts

1. Crafts 4 All Acrylic Paint Set

Crafts 4 All Acrylic Paint Set - 12 -Pack Painting...
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Crafts 4 All Acrylic Paint Set is a paint set that has three free brushes and within a cheap price you get up to 24 different color options that you may choose as you finish your craftwork. This is because the acrylic paint dries very fast so that if there are some faults made in painting, they can correct very easily The paints are good for starters in painting art. Furthermore, the three free brushes are useful for beginners who are not doing artwork in several colors, and they are a perfect combination of colors, and they provide long-lasting texture that can contain subtle marks and brush stroke.

Crafts 4 All Acrylic paint sets are water soluble acrylic paints to enable your product to make numerous changes to wood carving and washing with soapy water. All acrylic paint respects EN71-3 (European) norm and ASTM D-4236 (American) norm meaning that these paints do not harm environment and are not toxic at all.

Pros:

  • Non-toxic formula meaning its safe for use.
  • It features three free brushes in the pack.
  • Works on any material kind.
  • Delivers vibrant and vivid paintings.

Cons:

  • It's expensive even though it's worth it.

2. Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint Set

Apple Barrel PROMOABI 18pc Matte Finish Acrylic Craft...
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  • AMERICAN MADE - Apple Barrel is proudly made in the USA

Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint Set contains the best quality of the paint and quantity in the best price packages and is accompanied by one of the best color combinations in the market, which is beautiful and sequential. The acrylic products are produced with grants-First grade raw materials; quality controlled; manufacture offers formula paints for getting high-value pigment standard. These Apple Barrel containers come in flexible plastics hence easily squeezed out and the bottle also has a jammed exterior cap, which easily twists to open or close the container.

The water-based acrylic colors are also matte non glazing acrylic colors that are neither fully matte nor glossy; their consistency is highly smooth gliding with the bonus of fast drying. In addition to the creamy texture, these acrylic paint contain high lightfastness that contributes to the duration of the paintings. You can work it with different painting tools like brush, foam or even using a sanding sponge.

Pros:

  • It comes with around 18 containers of different colors
  • AP certified non-toxic colors.
  • Easy to clean up using soapy water.
  • The formula works well on various surfaces 

Cons:

  • It does not include free brushes.

3. FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Craft Paint

FolkArt 34169 Home Decor Chalk Furniture & Craft Paint...
  • This product is manufactured in united states
  • Durable matte finish
  • Chalk - black - 8 ounces

FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Craft Paint is a wood-crafting paint that works on the mechanism of chalk painting for improving the crafting abilities by offering the most matte finish as well as a long-lasting power. For painting projects the chalkboard paint is ideal because it does not require any preparation which does not include the need to clean and paint the surface in a bid to prepare it for the chalkboard paint hence adding to your productivity.

It also provides a uniform depth texture throughout your usage and allows for creative and unique shades thanks to an excellent mixing option. Thus, you can apply it repeatedly in a very thin coat, and after your are done with fun designs, you can sand it. However, it is for indoor use only and being of ACMI-AP, it will survive light exposure for years and increase the durability of your craft.

Pros:

  • Water-based formula that is simple to repair and easy to clean up.
  • It offers coverage of at least 40-square feet of area.
  • It has an ACMI-AP certification that guarantees durability.
  • Non-toxic formula making it safe for use.

Cons:

  • The paint can easily spill if the can is not upright.

4. Castle Art Supplies Acrylic Paint Set

Castle Art Supplies 24 Acrylic Paints Tubes Set for...
  • TOP QUALITY PAINTS THAT WON’T LET YOU DOWN! Painting with...
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Castle Art Supplies Acrylic Paint Set is good in all aspects of quality, and is suitable for both beginners and artists due to the paint set. Craft paint has a very successful formula that works in this regard and that is the oil based one. This also extend the life of the different colors with premium and clarity texture that shapes your wooden sculpture with paints for a gloss finish. This type of paint also has a medium consistency to give colors that are able to flow structures and can be used as nail art, wood, canvas and ceramics.

Castle Art Supplies Acrylic Paint comes with aluminium tubes that do not harm the container even when used for a long time. Colors can be squeezed out on such surfaces to allow a water look. Yet another reason as to why this acrylic paint is one of the best paints is the great fast-dry feature that will enhance the craft speed, and also give a chance to correct some mistakes in the working process.

Pros:

  • Dilution technique that allows execution of detailed and layering styles with thin coats.
  • Safety packaging ensuring you will not receive a faulty product.
  • Superior fast dry feature.
  • ASTM D-4236 standard guaranteeing quality.

Cons:

  • The color blend is not the best.

5. Caliart Acrylic Paint Set

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When talking about Caliart, we are looking at the best acrylic paint set on the market. But if your plan is to make brilliant and bright paintings, then you’ve got good news as Caliart is a brand that will suit you. In most cases, the most difficult struggle is to make paint adhere to various surfaces without applying several paint tubes.

Caliart allows you to paint as it dries in a reasonable time that makes it easy to spread it across the region. When using them to draw, Caliart lets you make even layering styles as the paint scratches the surface without creating blotchy lines.

Caliart is for anyone from the novice level to the expert level. Every color in the set is stunning and it’s going to get your creative process going without much effort. Finally, your painting projects will be complete and the time you will have to leave your creation before you know it will come at that. Caliart is not poisonous and this will allow you to take working with children into considerations flexibly.

Pros:

  • Use on different wood species and surfaces
  • Many color choices to pick from
  • Beautiful paint finish
  • Durable pigments

Cons:

  • Slower than spray paintings

6. ARTEZA Craft Acrylic Paint

ARTEZA Craft Acrylic Paint, Set of 20 Colors, 2oz/60 ml...
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ARTEZA Craft Paints come with the features that make painting easier and enjoyable. The paints are water soluble, and you do not feel them when painting wooden crafts. It is important to note that there is the water-based option that dries far much faster and therefore you are able to start reaping from the work done sooner than later. Because of its versatility and how quickly it can be applied to almost any type of surface including the stool, ARTEZA takes the competition straight to the spray-paint option.

ARTEZA is versatile and can be used on wooden and other surfaces. In other cases, it may also be possible to use the paint again after others in following projects you may wish to make. Wood crafts integrates perfectly with other crafts and with ARTEZA you get the opportunity to bring to reality the other artwork. ARTEZA is made and developed by artists and will not disappoint as a craft paint.

Pros:

  • Apply on wood surfaces and other surfaces
  • Fast-drying paint
  • Versatile acrylic paint for different surfaces
  • Great customer care

Cons:

  • The newly painted surface can stain easily.

Factors To Consider Before Purchasing The Best Paint For Wood Crafts

i) Durability

The durability of the paint should be among the first thing you consider because any paint that does not last is simply waste. It is quite an important factor all quality paints should be able to last long regardless of the prevailing environmental conditions.

ii) Color Stability

Some paints for wood crafts become dull when exposed to rain and sunlight, and it might be of no value. So, it is always advisable to go for products with color, which is likely to remain permanent for a period of three to five years.

iii) Thickness

When purchasing the best paint for wood crafts, ensure that you go with the right thickness since going thick may not be ideal for wood craft and therefore may require to be thinned down. Sometimes for lighter paints they add paint powder to make them thicken, so in your best interest you should always try to get moderately thick paint.

iv) Fast-Dry Technology

Before purchasing the best paint for wood crafts, check if it's quick-drying, because if it’s not, you will encounter several two-times difficulties, including low productivity. This is because one will not correct them and make an edit which washes the surface texture in the process. This makes it necessary for any good paint for wood crafts to take an average of 6 hours to dry and any paint that takes longer than this requires the user to reconsider using it.

v) Safety

Your safety will always come first when it comes to painting because some paints usually trigger skin allergies. Some paints contain toxic substances that are dangerous for your eyes and act on your respiratory organs, including the lungs. We recommend wearing protective clothes like gloves or goggles and a face mask or apron.

Look for paints with EN 71-3:2019 (Latest European standard), ASTM D-4236 (USA standard), or any AP-certified paints to ensure they do not pose harm to your health. Also, the paints should not contain BPA and the paints used in the plastic containers should be certified by FDA, for details, please refer to the package labels portion.

Wood-Craft Ideas to Try

Wood is one of the most used materials by DIYers around the world. Wood is as versatile as it is interesting and far from boring when working with it. Putting together pieces of wood is easy as all you have to do is to drive a nail through it at the right positions for it to fit. Wood generally enhances the beauty of almost every space and you can almost never go wrong with wood.

In fact, you can effectively come across absolute fundamental trunk cross-sections in even most luxurious executive lobby rooms and still won’t feel that the piece is out of place at all. The best thing I love about working with wood is you can actually take it apart and do a different project. Here are a few tips that will be interesting to complete and useful to complete when the fun project is done.

a) Picture Frames

Picture frames are not overrated. They are rated accordingly and I think the chairs are as popular as it should be. Frames are the only medium through which families can achieve a life-time experience and allow everybody experience the moments dear to the family. Doors frames are perfect especially for wood craft due to the ways that you can vary the idea mostly depending on your own preferred style. Frames allow for doing detailed layering styles but the frameworks remain very basic to what a frame is. Furthermore, frames are fun to work with since sizes , further reducing the chances of having to sand a whole surface.

Frames are very nice to work with because you do not necessarily have to have pictures in the frame for the items to remain useful. It is also important to note that you can use the frames as added structures which complements the interior designing.

b) Mirror Frame

The mirror plays a vital role in our lives. We check whether or not the smiles that we practice in front of the mirror are good when going out. Whatever we receive from the mirror must be nice all the time. The only way to make the tag that the mirror gives is to makeover the mirror in the first place. The first step advisable is to painting its frame You can paint it in order to aerate it and also add some brightness to it apart from refreshing the outlook of the frame.

You can play around with the mirror frame. However, it is better to always paint the frame in only one color to avoid any interference other than colors it might bring. It is also essential to note that the frame must work to give the environment that surrounds this character by drawing attention to the character itself and not to your view.

c) Signs and Labels

Christmas is almost here, and guests will be coming in and out more frequently. Hence you can make the kids prepare labels which would show much of the necessary things. Doors are going to be great idea. You no longer need to dance around a hall in the middle of the street in order to point to the washroom that is located downstairs.

Getting the kids to make labels is one of those great ways of managing the kids without having to confront them all the time. For example if they label where the laundry is to go, they will have the feeling that they are supposed to do that.

d) Letters

Painted letters are perfect for doing wood projects. You could make other words, it helps the kids to mentally exercise when they are out of school. Things which you would not wish to do on Christmas eve or eve of the much anticipated birthday. The acrylic paint you can use to get for the wood crafts and colored letters are varying.

Woodworking is one of the easiest things you can do and you will never get bored off of it. For letters, obtain paint with great news, molecular reinforced ceramic beads in order to achieve more clarity. People have confused clarity of acrylic paints with enamel paints and we know that acrylic can serve its purpose as well as enamel.

Frequently Asked Questions On The Best Acrylic Paint For Wood Craft

a) Which One Is Good, An Oil Paints Or Water-Based?

If you wanted that glossy look then oil-based paint will give you that sheen and it will eventually die but you will have your sheen for quite some time with the water-based paint but that again depends on what you want.

b) What Paint Is The Best To Use On Wooden Furniture?

A glossy or satin finish painting is the right one for wooden furniture and there are latex based and oil based paints; nevertheless use a primer fast. It is also the best latex because has very low odor and is also oil based.

c) What Will Determine The Level Of Efficacy For Different Paint Types On Wooden Crafts And Surfaces?

This porosity will define the efficacy level in which some of the paints may work-less or not at all on wooden crafts since those are porous surfaces. However, some types will be more successful once again because of the permeability of the material.

d) Why Does Lightfastness Rate Matter In The Best Paints?

The lightfastness rate will matter because it determines how resistant paint to being exposed to light and may have some issues with maintaining an organic paint structure. Besides, it will also determine the longevity of paint on your wooden crafts, and the long they’ll last.

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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