Paint suggestions

Elemental666 · Post by **Elemental666** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 2:23 am

I"m not a painter and am not very familiar with my options so here's my delima:

I'm covering a 24' diameter dome in 8oz duck canvas (sold as a painters drop cloth) and want to paint it. I'm concerned about:

1. the paint making getting brittle and cracking or pealing in transit.
2. the paint making the canvas to stiff and/or altering the fit of the cover
3. the paint detiriorating the material

can anyone suggest a type (or manufaturer) of paint that will allow me to decorate my shell and still be reusable? airbrushing is not out of the question, but again I don't have any experience in painting anything other that the wall of my home...

Thanks,

Ele

Post by **AntiM** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 5:00 am

I haven't painted canvas myself, but I do know floorcloth rugs are often made from painter's drop cloths. I bet if you google floorcloths you'll find directions. I have painted wall hangings on heavy fabric with water-based craft acrylics and they've done well in the desert with no flaking or cracking. The trick is to let each layer dry thoroughly and not plaster the paint on too thickly.

EvilDustBooger · Post by **EvilDustBooger** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 6:19 am

I second the Acrylic. You might try a small square first to see how it affects the shape.....
..It really holds up well to the elements, my son painted a little mural behind my shop on the concrete about 13 years ago, and it is still there very bright colors after so many years...good luck!

mojo · Post by **mojo** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 2:59 pm

Go to a craft store and buy a big bottle of fabric medium - it is an additive made for acrilic paint that makes the paint elastic and flexible. I have used it for many years and this year I'm using it to decorate a buch of used rubber army - issue gas masks for playa gifts.

Elemental666 · Post by **Elemental666** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 2:12 am

Excellent thanks guys!

I'll try these things out and see how it goes.