Acrylic urethane paints are a thicker paint that can be used for wood or metal applications. The paint can be applied with a color pigment to it or it can be applied as a clear gloss coat that dries hard and offers the surface below protection from moisture and other damage. As a clear coat, acrylic urethane is favored among painters because it doesn't givee an amber tint to the final color of the piece like oil based products do. Follow the tips below for the best results when applying acrylic urethane paints.
Surface Preparation
Some painters will apply acrylic urethane finishes without much thought to the surface. But paint is only as good as the surface to which it is applied, so take time to clean the surface. If it is metal use a rag to make sure all the grinding dust is wiped off. For wood applications it is important that saw dust is wiped off so that the paint has a clean substrate to adhere to.
Safety Gear
The odor that is associated with acrylic urethane paints have been reduced over the years but it may still be aggravating in closed painting booths. Gear like safety glasses and a mask should always be worn when working with acrylic urethane paint. A full paint suit with a respirator should be worn if this paint is being applied in a closed paint booth. This gear will protect your lungs and skin from the adverse coating effects of this paint.
Brush Application
Acrylic urethane paint has been improved to the point that it can be easily applied to smaller areas with a paint brush and not create brush strokes in the finish. Brush application should be reserved for small areas though because of the fast-drying properties of the paint. Both the surface you are painting and the paint in the brush will begin to dry soon after the first stroke of paint. Use a brush that you don't mind throwing away when using this type of paint because you won't be able to clean it afterwards.
Spray Application
Applying acrylic urethane paint with a sprayer is a logical choice if you will be painting a large surface. Using a sprayer with this type of paint requires some planning though. Acrylic urethane paint dries quickly and will not wait for you to reload your gun or take a quick break. When using a sprayer it is advisable to make sure you have time to complete the job or to at least reach a good stopping point in the project, like a corner. As long as the paint is flowing through the spray gun it shouldn't dry in the gun. But after finishing the job it is important to clean the sprayer before the paint has time to dry and ruin the spray gun.
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