Not all Acrylic paint is created equal

Last updated on July 5th, 2024 at 11:49 am

I can’t tell you the times I’ve gone to use some acrylic paint and found that it’s dried out or that it’s separated. Granted everything changes with temperature and age. But not all acrylic paints are created equal.

Sometimes it may just be a bad batch or it could be that they were affected by the temperature. Heat and extreme cold or humidity may cause them to change consistency or even separate.

always take into account your project

It’s always important to take your project into account when you are picking out acrylic paint. Paint adheres differently to each surface. Also if you are going to be doing a paint pouring project also think of the pouring medium you will be using.

proper storage

This may vary by paint brand. But if you store them in a cool place and check them at least every few months your acrylic paints should last you a long time. I’ve had some for nearly 20 years or older. Yeah, that’s a long time but they still had an even consistency and didn’t seem to curdle or clump. They also weren’t watery either.

Depending on the size of your paints I find that storing them in a plastic container helps. If you will be storing them in an area that is subject to drastic temperature changes you may want to bring them indoors and store them in a safe place. I’ve left mine out in the studio and they seem to be okay. I try my best to keep the out of direct sunlight. On hot days I also leave the windows open so they don’t overheat. I’ve also stored some inside in a storage tote. I also tried to keep it out of direct sunlight.

Some paint batches just turn out bad

Like with any product some brands may have a bad batch of paint. I had that happen to me with a folk art paint set I bought. The paints curdled and separated before I could use them. Even the support agent was surprised to see what they looked like. They replaced them thankfully.

But like I said sometimes some paints may not but to standard.

Now with this info out of the way let’s talk about paint.

Paint consistency

Some paints may be a bit more fluid while others may have more body to them. That means they could be thicker. Some fluid paints need to be shaken up a bit so they flow better.

You should always read the directions of your paints before using them.

For general projects

For general projects, any acrylic paint works well. This may vary by consistency and brand. Depending on your project type as well. But I usually use Deco Art or any paints from that company line.

I like Delta paints as well.

when paint pouring

When using acrylics for paint pouring you may want to try a few different brands to see which one fits your needs or project type. Some thicker-bodied paints may need more time to dry and may need more paint pouring medium or to be mixed with a small amount of water for easier flowing.

Paint price points

Acrylic paints can vary in price by brand and container size. You can find them as cheap as 99 cents to upwards of $20 USD. Each brand has different consistency as well. I’ll share a few of my favorites below.

Lower priced brands

You never know where you might find acrylic paint. I’ve found it at the 99 cent store. I’ve also seen it at the dollar tree. But I tend to go for more widely used brands. Or brands I’m familiar with.

A note on the 99 cent paint. I had bought a few Waverly acrylic paint jars at the 99 cents only store a while back. They were okay but I noticed that they were a bit watery.

Deco art, Folk Art, and plaid paints

I’ve used these all over the years. I like them all for general paint projects and paint pouring. the small paint jars are easy to find and are reasonably priced. they can run from under $2 USD to almost $10 USD depending on the size and retailer.

These brands offer a wide variety of paints and can be used on many different surfaces. I used to when I made a Halloween sign. It’s still holding up pretty well.

The paint’s consistency is smooth and can be a light to medium body. Some may be a bit thicker depending on the weather.

Delta Ceramcoat

This is another brand I’ve used for years. They are very much like Decoart the paints are even and aren’t too thin. They offer even coats and hold up well. I’ve used them to paint small ceramics and for other projects.

Their paints are reasonably priced and can be found at many retailers.

Mondo Llama paints

I’ve used a few Mondo Llama acrylic paints for paint-pouring projects. The consistency is good and they offer a variety of colors. They also have different sizes and sets as well. They range in price from $2 USD to $8 USD depending on the jar size. They also sell sets as well.

Apple Barrel paints

Personally, I’m not familiar with these paints and I haven’t used them. I’ve seen them advertised on Amazon. I’ve also seen YouTube videos where people mention them too. But from what I’ve seen they are a cheaper brand of acrylic paint. They seem to be reasonably priced on amazon from under $1 USD and up. they also sell sets too.

heavier bodied paints

Some projects may call for a heavier-bodied paint or some paints may just be a thicker consistency. That being said these paints may take longer to dry and may give your project better coverage.

Artist’s loft paints

I recently purchased these out of curiosity. I’d never used this brand sold at Micheal’s I’d used the canvas but not the paints. These worked well for paint-pouring projects. Being a bit of a thicker consistency you may need to add a splash of water for easier pouring. I found that even with the paint pouring medium added they are a tad thick.

These range in price by retailer. I purchased a few sets because they were buy one get one 50% off from Micheal’s when I ordered them. The sets were $19 USD.

Shutter art paints

These I bought on a whim when I was buying a few other things from Amazon a few weeks ago. The paints are a heavier-bodied acrylic. They paint well and have a good texture. They aren’t too thin or super thick. I liked that the paints have a plastic plug in them so they don’t spill.

I used the light blue in this set for a project I’m working on. it works well and blended well with other paints. The set is around $20 USD.

Which paint is right for you?

I can’t say you may have to buy a few to test them for the projects you are going to try. For me, they all work well. From paint pouring to general craft painting.

Whichever paint you choose I hope your projects turn out great.