Wood Sealer Prior to Using Acrylic Paint

[turangi]

As Acrylic water based paints raise the grain on wood I am looking for recommendations to seal wood prior to painting with Acrylic paint.

 

I do raise the grain with water at least twice with water followed by light sanding but the initial painted surface still is not very smooth. I tried sealing with Shellac one time but the paint apparently used Alcohol as a solvent as does Shellac and I ended up with a mess of sludge. Any and all suggestions appreciated!

 

 

Edited 8 hours ago by turangi

[JeffT]

Water based poly has worked well for me.

[turangi]

I have considered that but doesn’t the water raise the grain?

[Tomculb]

I have heard people say that water based acrylics raise the grain, but that hasn't been much of a problem in my experience. I apply at least 3 or 4 coats of paint, with some sanding in between each of them, and what little grain that has been raised disappears.

[palmerit]

I asked a similar question before. Using a sanding sealer is one solution. You'll see a bunch of suggestions. wefalck seems to be an expert on these things - I've seen him reply to other posts when folks as about painting, sealing, staining.

 

See here: 

 

[modeller_masa]

The surface of wood is very different from plastic or metal. I pay attention to many conditions when I paint on wood.

- Wood species: Oily or porous surface

- Structure of wood: Heartwood-Sapwood, growth ring, direction of grains

- Defects: burls, etcs

 

Also, there are various types of paints

- Transparent: Traditional oil varnishes, Shellac, etcs

- Opaque: Sealer, putty, primer, epoxy coat, lots of sanding, water or alcohol based paints, sanding again, matt varnish.

 

I don't know what the best answer is.

 

Don't start from forever soup from many makers. Read the acrylic paint maker's instructions for the one you are using and use a wood primer the maker recommends. 

[Dr PR]

I have used a acrylic sealer prior to painting wood with acrylic paints. I haven't noticed significant fuzz on basswood or boxwood. Of course, the purpose of the sealer is to fill and tiny cracks or grain, and it is always sanded afterwards to ensure a smooth surface for painting.

 

FolkArt all-purpose sealer, satin finish