Acrylic nails have become an increasingly popular nail enhancement option, allowing people beautiful, long-lasting nail looks. While acrylic nails are applied by professional nail techs, many wonders if you can simply paint on top of acrylic nails yourself at home to change up the color or design whenever you want.
The answer is yes, you can successfully paint on top of acrylic nails to update your manicure or pedicure using acrylic paint made specifically for nails or regular nail polish.
Acrylic Paint on Nails
acrylic paint on nails Acrylic paint designed for painting nails, unlike other standard acrylic paints, is formulated to properly adhere to the nail surface. Using a speciality acrylic nail paint allows you to paint directly onto acrylic nails or natural nails and seals itself for a long-lasting manicure.
The acrylic polymer formula provides a protective, chip-resistant finish similar to a gel manicure. Acrylic nail polishes easily apply with a built-in brush and quickly dry just like regular nail polish.
While standard acrylic paints for crafting are too thick for effectively painting nails, some people do use diluted acrylic paints on their nails with careful precision and a steady hand.
However, for the best results painting on acrylic nails or natural nails, use an acrylic nail paint specifically designed for nails.
4 Ways to Seal Acrylic Paint on Nails
Once you’ve painted your acrylic nails with acrylic nail polish or other polishes, properly sealing the painted acrylic nails will help the manicure last longer without chipping or peeling. Here are four of the best options for sealing acrylic paint on nails:
Sealing Acrylic Paints with Topcoat
Using regular clear nail polish topcoat or a gel topcoat formulated to cure polish are two easy ways to seal acrylic nail paint. Apply two thin, even layers of topcoat to seal the painted acrylic nails allowing each layer to fully dry in between. This helps prevent the bubbling of the topcoat and creates a smooth, glossy protective shield over the polish.
Gel Top Coat
gel top coat on nails A gel top coat works the same way as a traditional topcoat to seal nail polish, but instead of air drying, a gel top coat needs to be cured under an LED or UV nail lamp. Once cured, the gel top coat leaves an ultra-shine, resilient finish that helps reinforce and protect acrylic nail paint. Using a gel top coat can help paint acrylic nails last over two weeks without chipping or peeling.
Sealing Acrylic Paints with Clear Nail polish
A fast way to seal painted acrylic nails is by finishing off your manicure with a layer of regular clear nail polish. Using clear polish, free of tints or pigments allows the beauty of the acrylic nail paint underneath to show through while adding a protective barrier. Multiple thin coats of clear polish further strengthen the sealant layer.
Fast Drying Top Coat Spray
In addition to traditional nail polish topcoats, you can use a fast-drying spray formulated specifically for sealing nail art and polish as an easy alternative for acrylic-painted nails. These sprays quickly dry to lock in nail paints and provide a clear, even finish with a subtle sheen. Most topcoat sprays also help prevent chipping and smudging of delicate nail art and designs something regular topcoat can sometimes disturb if brushed on too heavily.
can you paint on top of acrylic nails One popular DIY alternative people use if they don’t have a fast-drying topcoat spray is clear, fast-drying hairspray. Simply hold the bottle 6 to 8 inches away from the nails and evenly mist on a light layer, allowing it to dry completely. The aerosol hairspray formula forms a smooth protective coating while drying fast to seal in your acrylic nail paint job.
DIY sealant
For a DIY acrylic nail paint sealer, you can create your mixture using simple household products like white school glue.
Using Glue and Water
Mix equal parts standard white glue and water in a small bowl until well blended with an applicator brush. Use the applicator brush to apply a thin layer of the glue/water mixture over the entire surface of the painted acrylic nails and allow to dry before adding a second coat. Once dried, the clear acrylic glue provides a sealed, finished look that helps keep nail polish secured on acrylic nails.
Using Glue and Sanitizer
As an alternative DIY sealant for acrylic nail paints, use an equal mixture of white school glue and hand sanitiser which acts as an adhering agent. Blend the glue and sanitiser completely with a separate disposable brush. Brush the DIY glue sealing mixture over acrylic nail paints and allow it to fully dry on each nail for maximum staying power and to prevent possible smudging of the polish.
How Long Does Acrylic Paint Last on Nails with or Without Sealing?
Unsealed acrylic nail paint will typically last for approximately 3 to 5 days before starting to chip or peel off the nails. Sealing painted acrylic nails with a fast-drying topcoat spray, traditional topcoat, and gel topcoat. DIY sealants can help properly painted acrylics last up to 2 weeks or longer without touch-ups needed.
The key is using thin, even coats of acrylic nail polish and allowing proper dry time between each layer of color and topcoat sealant. Rushing the polish or topcoat application often results in bubbling or cracking. Applying multiple thin sealant layers also provides longer-lasting protection versus a single thick coat. Prepping nails correctly before polishing and using basecoat first can also optimize the longevity of acrylic nail paint jobs.
Do’s and Don’ts of Sealing Your Acrylic Nail Paint
Follow these do’s and don’ts when sealant acrylic nail paint at home for the most professional, chip-resistant results:
| Do’s | Don’ts |
| Use nail polish specifically designed for painting acrylic nails or general nail polishes. | Don’t use craft acrylic paint instead of nail polish on acrylic nails. |
| Apply nail polish and topcoat in thin, even coats allowing drying in between. | Don’t rush the polish or topcoat drying stages. |
| Seal acrylic nail paint with two coats of quality topcoat polish for maximum protection. | Don’t apply thick blobs of topcoat which causes shrinking or bubbles when drying. |
| Lightly buff nails first to allow the best polish adherence. | Don’t forget to seal under the free edges of the nails with a topcoat. |
| Cap the free edge tips of nails with a topcoat to seal the polish. | Don’t skip basecoat or nail prep before painting acrylic nails. |
FAQs
Can you use acrylic paint as nail polish?
Standard acrylic craft paints are too thick for properly painting nails. Don’t have the right flexibility or formulated grip for adhering to natural or acrylic nails. Using acrylic paint specifically designed for nail art application provides the best polish results.
What’s the best way to seal acrylic nail polish?
Sealing painted acrylic nails with two layers of quality topcoat nail polish. It provides excellent protection against chipping for up to two weeks. Gel polish topcoats offer an even more resilient finish by curing nails for long-lasting wear.
How do I prep my acrylic nails before painting them?
Use a nail file to gently buff acrylic nails first, rub nails with alcohol, apply a base coat, and then follow with thin coats of acrylic nail polish. It allows complete drying between layers. Finish by sealing the nails with multiple layers of good topcoat polish.
Can you paint your nails with acrylic paint?
Yes, you can paint both natural and acrylic nail extensions using specially formulated acrylic nail polishes. The acrylic paint polymers allow it to adhere properly on nail surfaces, unlike standard acrylic craft paints. Always finish with a protective topcoat.
Conclusion
Painting directly onto acrylic nails allows you to customise your nails by adding different colors, art or designs anytime. Properly prepping the acrylic nails first and using quality nail polish products creates longer-lasting manicures.
Finish by sealing painted acrylic nails with layers of topcoat polish. Gel topcoat and you can enjoy beautiful nail looks for up to two weeks or more. With the right products and techniques, acrylic nail paint jobs can rival salon gel manicures for longevity, protection and appearance.
