Polycrylic plays an important role in saving the wood from water which causes high damage to the wood. Polycrylic is actually a glossy finish which gives the wood a perfect and high glossy look. The polycrylic finish is widely used on the wood for its satin finishes.
However, many people tend to use polycrylic over different types of paint. Well, polycrylic works on over few paints, therefore, in this article; we are going to discuss whether you can use polycrylic over latex paint.
Can you use polycrylic over latex paint?
Yes, you can use polycrylic over latex paint. Polycrylic is based on water and latex is based on oil, therefore, polycrylic works really well on oil paint and also bonds well as wall coverings. However, some brownish may prevail on sensitive areas, therefore, let it dry for some time on those areas.
Polycrylic paints work very well on wood and it is mainly used to furnish the outer coverings of wood. Polycrylic paint protects the wood from abrasion, scuffing, alcohol and other types of chemicals that are found in homes.
Mainly it saves the wood from any sort of water-based damage and protects the wood from rotting. It is highly used as the finishing paint on wood, however, sometimes people use it over other types of paint.
Because of its multiple benefits, many people tend to use polycrylic on top of different types of paint. However, it doesn’t work on a lot of paints but it really works on over oil-based paints.
Therefore, polycrylic can be used over latex paint. It works really on latex and bonds really well as wall coverings. However, some brownish spots may occur on sensitive areas, therefore, it will be better if you spot those sensitive areas on wood and let the paint dry for a longer time.
Water-based polycrylic:
Water-based polycrylic really works well over latex. As latex is an oil-based paint which is why water-based polycrylic works fine on over latex. Also, polycrylic bonds well on latex as a perfect wall covering. However, some ambering may occur on some sensitive areas on the project, therefore, letting those areas dry for longer times.
Minwax polycrylic:
Yes, you can apply Minwax polycrylic over latex. It largely uses latex paint to seal properly as well as eases the application process of the latex paint.
Spray polycrylic:
You can certainly apply spray polycrylic over latex. The spray polycrylic works fine over the oil paint. It protects the area from scuffing as well as an abrasion as well as ensures effective application of latex.
Matte polycrylic:
Matte polycrylic also works fine over latex. It works well as wall coverings as well as ensures proper application of the latex paint.
Will polycrylic keep latex paint from chipping?
Yes, polycrylic keeps latex paint from chipping. In the wet season, when the paint gets wet, air bubbles or air pockets can form under the latex paint. These air pockets cause the paint to be chipped or peeled up from the wall. While polycrylic is used as an outer coating, therefore, it can keep latex paint from chipping.
The latex paint is an oil-based paint which is why when it gets wet the air pockets tend to form under the paint. Therefore, polycrylic paint can be used over latex paint which will keep it from chipping or peeling.
In addition, for being water-based paint, the polycrylic paint also works well on oil-based paint. It protects the latex paint from getting wet as well as doesn’t let air pockets form under the latex. Well, sometimes some areas might show the paint being chipped off again after the polycrylic is applied. Therefore, for those areas, you will need to apply the polycrylic again and let the paint dry for a longer time.
3 reason why you can polycrylic over latex paint:
Well, there are many reasons for which it is safe to say that polycrylic can be applied over latex paint. The reasons are described below:
Works well over oil-based paint:
Polycrylic paint is mainly water-based paint and it works well over oil-based paint. The polycrylic paint acts as a coating over the latex paint. Mainly polycrylic paint is used to protect woods from scuffing or abrasion and even from water damage.
However, nowadays it is being applied on furniture over different sorts of paints but mainly over oil paints. The polycrylic paint doesn’t let the air pockets go under the latex paint. In addition, the polycrylic paint also keeps the latex paint from chipping. This is one of the main reasons why people use polycrylic over latex paints.
Well bonded wall covering:
The polycrylic paint acts on latex paint as a well-bonded wall covering. This wallcovering will protect the wood from any type of external damage. In addition, polycrylic paint works very well over latex paint. It ensures the perfect application of latex paint.
Ensures proper application of latex:
The polycrylic ensures that there is the proper application of the latex paint. It also ensures that the latex paint does it work perfectly and smoothly. Also, it fixes up the brownish spots that prevail on the latex paint after a few days.
How long to wait before applying polycrylic over latex paint?
Well, you won’t need to wait long before applying polycrylic over latex paint. But you might need to wait for at least 1 to 3 hours after applying the first coat of polycrylic oven latex paint.
After you applied latex paint it is better to wait until the latex paint fully dries up. As for being a water-based paint polycrylic will get dry in no time which might create complications if the latex paint doesn’t get dried up. Therefore, it would be better if you wait for at least 2 hours for the latex paint to dry.
Then you can apply the first coat of the polycrylic paint oven latex paint. After the first coat of polycrylic you will need to wait for at least 1 to 3 hours. You have to let the polycrylic dry properly or else the ambering will occur over the latex.
Then after applying the second coat it is better to let it dry for rest of the day. It won’t need the whole day as water-based paint dries off very quickly.
How to apply polycrylic over latex paint?
You can apply polycrylic over latex paint in many ways. But you need to be very careful while applying the polycrylic over the latex paint. Because there are some factors that can completely ruin the latex as well as polycrylic in no time. Therefore, we have written below the simplest way you can follow in order to apply polycrylic over latex paint:
Let the latex dry:
The first step is to let the latex paint to dry. As oil-based paint takes more time to dry, therefore, give time to latex so that it gets dry fully.
Sand with sandpaper:
The next step will be to sand the painted surface with the help of sandpaper. Make sure the sandpaper is 210 or higher. Then you have to clean the surface with a cloth and remove the extra dust.
Make your polycrylic ready:
Take your polycrylic on a can and then stir slowly. Make sure there are no bubbles. Then you have to take a high-quality brush that is synthetic in order to paint on the painted surface. Then you have to dip the brush into the polycrylic and then apply it to the wall with slow and long strokes.
First coat of polycrylic:
After the first coat of polycrylic let the polycrylic dry for at least three hours.
Second coat of polycrylic:
After applying the first coat of polycrylic and after it gets fully dry and then gently rub the painted wall with sandpaper. Then pour the brush with polycrylic again and then gently paint the wall.
Third coat of polycrylic:
After the second coat of polycrylic then again let it dry for the next 24 hours.
What protective finish should I use over latex paint?
Well, there are many protective finish options you can choose if you want to use over latex paint. However, the best option can be polycrylic or polyurethane coats. These two coats are the best water-based finish that can seal your latex paint perfectly. Also, it works well over the latex paint perfectly and also protects the wood from scuffing and abrasion as well as from water-based damages.
Therefore, most people prefer polycrylic or polyurethane finish over their oil-based paint. Because this finish not only increases the glossy look but also ensures the proper application of the latex paint.
Final Thoughts:
You can certainly use polycrylic paint over latex and in fact, polycrylic is the best protective coat you can apply over the latex. The polycrylic paint not only enhances the look of the furniture but also protects your furniture from external damage.