Painting Over Acrypol (Can You Do it & How To?)

Acrypol is a waterproof coating that has a dull white or greyish color. So, can you paint over Acrypol?

Acrypol is waterproof, so you can’t paint over it. Its flexible acrylic resins will prevent liquid from penetrating its coating. So, if you paint over it, the coating won’t stick and will peel off.

The only way to paint over Acrypol is to sand and apply a primer over it. Sanding will create tiny scratches (ridges) over its finish that the paint can penetrate. The primer creates a base coat for the paint to stick to. 

Compatibility

Since Acrypol is waterproof, paint doesn’t stick over it. The Acrypol coating is designed to repel all types of liquids. Its resins and solvents prevent the liquid (paint) from being absorbed, so it won’t stick. 

Paint must penetrate (soak into) the surface to stick. When applied, they adhere to the top layer of the surface. If the surface is non-porous, the paint won’t stick because it can penetrate (or bite) into the non-porous layer. 

Acrypol is non-porous and waterproof. The waterproof coating is designed to stop (prevent) water from penetrating the surface. Because of this, paints can’t bite or penetrate the waterproof coating to stick. 

Dry Time Before Painting

Acrypol must dry for 3 days before painting over it. This gives its coating enough time to dry, cure, and harden. If you paint over it too soon, you will ruin the finish.

Once the Acrypol is fully dry, the coating becomes waterproof, hard, and compact. So, sanding it won’t damage or remove it. However, if it isn’t dry enough and you sand it, you will ruin the finish. 

To know if Acrypol is dry enough to be painted over, touch the texture of the coating. If it feels moist or tacky, it hasn’t dried yet. If it feels dry and hard, it has dried enough.

You can speed up its dry time by increasing the evaporation rate and air circulation. 

How To Paint Over Acrypol?

Painting over Acrypol is hard because of its waterproof coating. However, if you sand and prime it, you can do it.

Here are the tools you need:

• Sandpaper (Medium and fine grit)
• Paintbrushes
• Kilz 2 primer
• Acrylic Paint
• A pair of gloves
• A portable vacuum
• Waterproof sealer (for this guide, we’ll use polyurethane varnish)
• A palm or orbital sander (for large surfaces like a roof)

1. Sand The Finish

First, sand the Acrypol coating with medium-grit sandpaper (80-20-grit). Sanding will scuff its coating and create ridges that the primer can stick to. After sanding with medium-grit sandpaper, use fine-grit sandpaper to smooth it.

Once you are done, remove the dust using a vacuum.

2. Apply Primer

Once the Acrypol coating is clean and sanded, apply a primer. The best primer to use over it is Kilz 2. The kilz 2 primer sticks to different surfaces and creates a good undercoat for the paint to stick. 

To apply primer, use a brush or sprayer and apply two coats.

3. Apply The Paint

Once the primer is dry, apply the paint. The paint type you use depends on the primer. For example, if you use an oil-based primer, use oil-based paint. The same thing applies to water-based primers.

To apply paint, use a brush, sprayer, or roller and apply 2-3 coats. Wait until one coat dries before applying the next coat. It’s recommended to sand between coats with ultrafine-grit sandpaper to improve the adhesion. 

4. Apply Waterproof Sealer

After the last coating dries, you must apply a waterproof sealant over it. A waterproof sealer is necessary because the Acrylic waterproof coating is sanded and primed, so the coating won’t repel moisture anymore. 

So, to make it waterproof again, apply a waterproof sealer. The sealer will produce a glossy waterproof layer over the finish and protect it from water, moisture, and scratches. Common sealers to use are lacquer, spar urethane, or exterior polyurethane. 

You need 2-3 coats of the waterproof sealer for proper waterproofing and protection.

Durability

At best, the paint will last about 7 years over Acrypol’s surface. Unfortunately, they generally don’t last long because Acrypol isn’t designed to be painted. But, if you apply a waterproof sealer over it, the finish will last longer. 

You’ll occasionally need to retouch it by applying an extra coating at least every 24 months if you want it to last longer.

Tip: If you are dealing with a leak and you know you’ll paint the spot later, it’s best to use a waterproof sealer that can be painted. Common choices include wood caulk and Flex seal.

Final Words

You shouldn’t apply paint directly over the Acrypol as it won’t stick. To paint over it, you must sand, prime the coating, and then apply paint. Once the finish dries, seal it with waterproof sealant.

However, to get the best results, remove the Acrypol coating completely, and then paint over the same spot.