Can this craft project be saved?
December 6, 2019 8:06 PM Subscribe
My kid painted ceramic mugs with acrylic paint for her grandparents, but it doesn't seem to be sticking as I expected. Is there any way to salvage this? Details of materials and procedures to this point inside.
I bought these mug kits from the craft store, but since the paint colors that come with them are limited, I also bought a big pack of inexpensive acrylic paints for her to use, because that seems to be a thing that people on the internet do (I'm now skeptical that they do it with success.) The packaging from the mug kits does not indicate what the paints are made of.
After painting, I put them in the oven at 350 for 30', then turned of the oven and let it cool to room temperature with the mugs inside. I just rubbed at some of the dry paint with my thumb, and it comes right off. No way this stuff is going to make it through a single morning of coffee, much less washing afterwards.
So, is there any way to seal the paint? Maybe the Mod Podge Dishwasher formula?
If it is not salvagable, and I scrub the paint off, will the stuff that came with the kit work any better? Is there some other paint product I should go buy?
Does not actually have to be dishwasher-safe, but should make it through at least a few dozen hand-washings.
Help?
I bought these mug kits from the craft store, but since the paint colors that come with them are limited, I also bought a big pack of inexpensive acrylic paints for her to use, because that seems to be a thing that people on the internet do (I'm now skeptical that they do it with success.) The packaging from the mug kits does not indicate what the paints are made of.
After painting, I put them in the oven at 350 for 30', then turned of the oven and let it cool to room temperature with the mugs inside. I just rubbed at some of the dry paint with my thumb, and it comes right off. No way this stuff is going to make it through a single morning of coffee, much less washing afterwards.
So, is there any way to seal the paint? Maybe the Mod Podge Dishwasher formula?
If it is not salvagable, and I scrub the paint off, will the stuff that came with the kit work any better? Is there some other paint product I should go buy?
Does not actually have to be dishwasher-safe, but should make it through at least a few dozen hand-washings.
Help?
Best answer: Regular acrylic paints will not adhere to glass. Those little pots are repackaged acrylic paint specifically reformulated for glass applications, but even then they won't really stand up to dishwashing very easily. Pebeo and several other companies have product line that's specifically for glass.
You might consider fingernail polish since it's a mineral spirit based acrylic, and probably much more likely to stick to the mug. Fingernail polish has a large selection of colors and a nifty brush in the cap for easy application. Make sure to work in adequate ventilation if you do this, and encourage your recipient to not microwave or put in dishwasher.
posted by effluvia at 8:53 PM on December 6, 2019 [2 favorites]
You might consider fingernail polish since it's a mineral spirit based acrylic, and probably much more likely to stick to the mug. Fingernail polish has a large selection of colors and a nifty brush in the cap for easy application. Make sure to work in adequate ventilation if you do this, and encourage your recipient to not microwave or put in dishwasher.
posted by effluvia at 8:53 PM on December 6, 2019 [2 favorites]
We used oil-based paint pens on these same mugs and they worked great! We have only washed them a couple times but they stayed on nicely. We used Sharpie brand from Michaels.
posted by scrubbles at 10:05 PM on December 6, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by scrubbles at 10:05 PM on December 6, 2019 [2 favorites]
I think it's both creative and sweet, your child making pencil/pen/scissors/reading glasses/all-purpose-type (non-food-safe) holders for their grandparents.
Sealant ideas 1, 2, 3.
posted by Iris Gambol at 10:40 PM on December 6, 2019 [1 favorite]
Sealant ideas 1, 2, 3.
posted by Iris Gambol at 10:40 PM on December 6, 2019 [1 favorite]
Best answer: If you do start over, Pebeo paint for glass and porcelain is designed for this, and I have used it - even with hand washing it does wear off eventually though. I've had the most durable and easy results by far by scanning paper artwork and getting it printed on the mug, although I know that isn't what you asked for.
posted by stillnocturnal at 12:07 AM on December 7, 2019
posted by stillnocturnal at 12:07 AM on December 7, 2019
Do not use nail polish if it is something that will be exposed to high heat. It becomes brittle when exposed to high heat on a regular basis, and will just flake off.
posted by troytroy at 7:22 AM on December 7, 2019
posted by troytroy at 7:22 AM on December 7, 2019
Response by poster: Thanks, folks. When she woke up this morning, we watched a video of monks making a sand mandala, took some pictures of yesterday's work, then scrubbed it all off. We'll start over with the paints that came with the cups.
posted by juliapangolin at 5:11 PM on December 7, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by juliapangolin at 5:11 PM on December 7, 2019 [5 favorites]
Look for paint for ceramics - like the Pebeo brand mentioned above.
I have a mug done with a Pebeo marker - and it has lasted several years of hard use. Only the inside of the mug is seriously wearing away.
posted by jb at 9:25 PM on December 7, 2019
I have a mug done with a Pebeo marker - and it has lasted several years of hard use. Only the inside of the mug is seriously wearing away.
posted by jb at 9:25 PM on December 7, 2019
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Sorry. Re-do.
posted by sanka at 8:14 PM on December 6, 2019 [4 favorites]