| Enamel paint is the Tasmanian devil of the arts and | | | | paints require brushes that can handle their thickness |
| crafts world. It’s tricky to use, unpredictable when | | | | and density. Make sure you have several before |
| drying, and might even present problems once it’s | | | | beginning your project, and remember to get two of |
| dried. More than one eager young painter has set out | | | | three of each kind of brush just in case. |
| on a craft or modeling project meaning to use enamel | | | | Thinner is better. |
| paint and wound up bitterly disappointed. Make no | | | | Depending on the color, enamel paint can have the |
| mistake: enamel paint has its advantages. It’s tough | | | | consistency of water or the thickness of molasses. |
| as nails, will last a lifetime, and offers a sleek | | | | You may need to apply a certain amount of paint |
| translucent finish that ordinary acrylic paints largely | | | | thinner to the paint in order to make sure it evenly and |
| cannot. If you’re willing to work with it, enamel | | | | smoothly spreads across the subject matter. Paint |
| provides incredible advantages, especially when | | | | thinner, by the way, is also used to clean the brushes |
| working with metal and ceramics, for example some | | | | and to remove unwanted spots and stains on hands, |
| kinds of models and decorative lawn accessories and | | | | clothing, and other surfaces. However, remember |
| handmade enamel jewelry. The five steps below | | | | it’s extremely unhealthy if swallowed or put into |
| aren’t presented in order, but following all of them | | | | contact with the eyes. |
| will make the painting more fun and help you protect | | | | Good air quality helps. |
| your project in the years to come. | | | | Enamel dries best in conditions with little humidity and |
| Prime time is forever. | | | | slight but not immense air circulation. You should also |
| If your subject is made of metal, wood, or plastic, you | | | | remember to practice good ventilation when working |
| should apply at least one coat of primer before even | | | | with enamel, as the fumes can cause dizziness. |
| the first drop of enamel goes on. Priming helps prevent | | | | Finish with a sealant. |
| mildew, mold, rust and warping while making sure your | | | | Sealants help protect the enamel from chipping but |
| enamel paint is lustrous and smooth atop the surface | | | | also from help repel dust that the oil-based paint will |
| of the subject matter. It’ll also prevent stickiness | | | | otherwise surely attract and hold like flypaper. Sealants |
| once the enamel paint dries. Primer is available in both | | | | typically come in spray-can format, and can be applied |
| spray-can and liquid formats at both hardware and | | | | in seconds. Sealants are available in high-gloss and |
| arts and crafts stores. | | | | matte finishes, which can help amplify your finished |
| Don’t brush off. | | | | project’s shine or just give it a realistic texture. |
| Don’t be fooled into thinking that all brushes are all | | | | Because enamel paint is naturally lustrous, a matte |
| the same. Because enamel paints are oil based, | | | | finish should be used when working on subject matter |
| they’ll adhere to the brush you used to apply them | | | | (jewelry, statuary, models) that shouldn’t have a |
| just as much as they will the subject matter. Enamel | | | | “shine” appearance. |