Can You Use Acrylic Paint On Phone Case? Complete Guidance

People love carrying phone cases having peculiar and catching designs. The market is full of lavish and intermediate phone cases. Thus manufacturers always tend to attract buyers and provide them with noteworthy products. 

Some people design their phone cases at home, as I do. While styling your back support for your phone, can you use acrylic paint on the phone case? Yes, it can be done, and I prefer them whenever I get time to decorate accessories like that, but you have to be well up on the correct procedures and precautions.

Here in the article below, we have deliberated about the fruitful use of acrylics in painting phone cases. Moreover, here are a few tips on giving a stunning and rare look to your phone case.

Can You Use Acrylic Paint On Phone Case?

Yes, you can paint and decorate your phone case with acrylic paint. But you have to be well up on the consequences of using acrylics on plastic surfaces, i.e. phone cases. The paint doesn’t adhere to plastic and non-porous surfaces very well and chips off gradually over time.

Can You Use Acrylic Paint On Phone Case

What Type Of Paint Should You Use On A Phone Case?

Phone cases are mainly composed of plastic material or glass. So if you’re planning to decorate your phone case with some stunning designs, you have to go for oil-based or latex paints.

These type of paints have a solid binding capacity and sticks to plastic and glass firmly. However, they are not as easy as you think to handle and work with.

Acrylic Paint and Silicone Phone Case

Acrylics can stick to a phone case made of silicone, but it will not stay long as the paint doesn’t adhere to the silicone phone case as stronger as expected.

As we know, the silicone case is smooth and non-porous, making it a less binding surface. This makes the paint less resistant against harsh conditions and it will ultimately peel off.

Nevertheless, you can still decorate the silicone phone case by doing it the right way. Clean the case with ethyl alcohol properly to minimise contamination. Apply a thin layer of primer. Finally, apply a thin coat of acrylic paint evenly. 

Let the paint dry well before you put your phone case back, as wet paint may spoil your work if handled. 

Pros and cons of Using Acrylic Paints On Phone Cases:

Following are some pros and cons of using acrylic paints on phone cases.

Pros:

  • Acrylics are versatile in nature and can be spilt over a wide range of surfaces.
  • It dries so fast, which makes it an ideal paint for projects and paint jobs. It saves you time.
  • It’s available in many colours and shades to meet your requirements.

Cons:

  • Its durability is usually surface-dependent. It doesn’t stick to the phone case surface strongly.
  • Acrylics are not as easy to use as you think. It’s complicated to get the right consistency.
  • The paint is harmful and causes toxicity if ingested.
Pros and cons of Using Acrylic Paints On Phone Cases

Phone Case Designs:

Let us share some ideas with you to design and decorate your phone case with acrylic paints. You can draw every possible design over the cover, including:

  • Floral designs 
  • Abstract patterns
  • Geometric decoration 
  • Polka dots or stripes and lines

Preparing Phone Case For Decoration:

Before you go to draw your favourite designs over your phone case with a variety of acrylic paint colours, you have to make some preparations to get the best results. It helps the paint adhere to the surface firmly and protect it from chipping off. 

  • Rub the phone cover surface with fine grit sandpaper to make it lightly rough. It helps set the paint for longer.
  • Remove the debris after making the surface rough and clean thoroughly.
  • Apply a good-quality primer over the phone cover. It assures strong adherence and smooth and even finishes.
  • Let the prime dry thoroughly before further procedure.

Painting A Phone Case With Acrylic Paint – Step By Step Guide

After preparing the phone case, the next is to paint it with acrylics. We have discussed the steps on how to paint a phone case with acrylic paint below:

Required supplies:

  • A phone cover
  • Acrylics of different colours 
  • Brushes
  • Water cup
  • Paper balls

Procedure: 

We have split the procedure into parts and steps to ease the reading. 

Step 1: Preparing phone cover

The phone cover surface needs to be rough in order to make the paint stick to it properly. Use fine-grit sandpaper and rub it over the surface. It makes the surface lightly rough. Additionally, it helps you get a smooth finish too.

After the rubbing, make sure to clean the surface well and remove dust particles and debris.

Step 2: Prime the surface 

After you have prepared the surface, next is applying a good quality primer. It works by creating a barrier between the paint and the surface. Moreover, it gives an even look to the cover. Use a primer that is explicitly synthesised for plastic or glass covers.

Step 3: Let the cover dry

After applying the primer, let the primer dry well before you go for further procedures. It may take up to 20 to 30 minutes.

Step 4: Apply paint 

The next step is painting your phone cover and drawing your favourite designs. For this purpose, mix the paint with an appropriate proportion of water. It helps you get a constant and correct consistency. However, you can use acrylic spray paint too. 

Make sure you apply the acrylic in thin coats to minimise peeling and chipping off over time. Use a fine-haired brush for the process.

Step 5: Leave the paint to dry 

The paint must be dried well to adhere to the surface and last longer. So you have to leave the painted cover for drying for 12 to 24 hours, depending on the brand type and coat. You can learn more about how long acrylic paint takes to dry.

Leave the paint to dry

Step 6: Topcoat

A top coat can be applied for a perfect look and smooth finish. Moreover, the top coat helps the paint stay resistant to the environment. Choose good quality and compatible sealer for this purpose.

How to Seal Acrylic Paint on Phone Case?

Acrylic paints stay longer and show resistance to harsh conditions when sealed. So after the paint is dried over the phone case, you should seal it with a good quality sealer.

It helps you get an even look and perfect finish. Moreover, the paint is more protected as compared. Please make sure the varnish or sealer is dried before you handle it further.

You may seal acrylic paint with polyurethane or any other good-quality sealant.

How to Paint a Rubber Phone Case?

If you’re looking to add some attraction to your rubber phone case, you can paint it with acrylics or put some design stickers over the cover. But stickers are not also satisfactory and don’t always represent the drawing ideas you have in your mind.

So a better option is going for designing with acrylic paints. It dries quickly and lasts longer if applied accurately. Moreover, it can be sealed, making it more difficult to peel off.

Supplies needed:

  • Rubber phone cover
  • Acrylics 
  • Brushes
  • Water cup
  • Paper towel
  • Sealer or varnish 

Procedure: 

The procedure is explained step by step below. All the necessary details are covered.

Step 1: Clean the phone case

The very first step is cleaning the phone case well. A small quantity of detergent or soap mixed with water will help clean the surface thoroughly. 

Step 2: Apply paint 

The next step is applying acrylic paint over the surface of the phone case. Add an appropriate amount of water to the paint. It will create a thinner consistency which is ideal for thin coats. Draw your favourite designs using a fine-haired brush. 

Step 3: Leave the paint to dry 

The paint needs to be dried well to adhere to the surface and last longer. So you have to leave the painted surface for drying for 12 to 24 hours, depending on the brand type and coat. However, you can use other ways to dry acrylic paint faster.

Step 4: Topcoat

A top coat can be applied for a perfect look and smooth finish. Moreover, the top coat helps the paint stay resistant to the environment. Choose good quality and compatible sealer for this purpose.

How to Paint a Clear Phone Case with Acrylic Paint?

A clear phone case becomes much more attractive when painted with acrylic paints. It adds a gorgeous look to your device, making it unique and eye-catching. 

We’ve given a detailed procedure below:

Supplies needed:

  • Clear plastic phone case
  • Acrylics 
  • Fine haired brushes
  • Water cup
  • Paper balls
  • Sealer or varnish

Procedure

Step 1: Prepare the phone cover

The very first step is cleaning the clear phone case well. A small quantity of detergent or soap mixed with water will help clean the surface thoroughly. 

Step 2: Apply paint 

The next step is applying acrylic paint over the surface of the phone case. Add an appropriate amount of water to the paint. It will create a thinner consistency which is ideal for thin coats. Draw your favourite designs using a fine-haired brush. 

Step 3: Leave the paint to dry 

The paint needs to be dried well to adhere to the surface and last longer. So you have to leave the painted cover for drying for 12 to 24 hours, depending on the brand type and coat.

Step 4: Topcoat

A top coat can be applied for a perfect look and smooth finish. Moreover, the top coat helps the paint stay resistant to the environment. Choose good quality and compatible sealer for this purpose.

How to Paint a Clear Phone Case with Acrylic Paint

How to Remove Acrylic Paint from a Phone Case?

Acrylic paint is complicated to remove once it dries. But it’s possible to get it removed with a few effective methods.

A simple and affordable way is using rubbing alcohol. Soak a piece of cloth or a cotton ball in the alcoholic solution and rub it over the painted surface. Keep rubbing until the paint is eradicated. An alternative method is using nail polish remover in the same way as alcohol.

If these methods are insufficient, you can use the magic eraser. A wet magic eraser should be rubbed over the painted phone surface. 

After the paint disappears completely, you need to clean the surface with detergent or soap mixed with water to remove the remaining residues. Make sure not to use harsh chemicals, or otherwise; the phone cover will be ruined. 

Hand Painting ideas:

You can paint your phone case with acrylic paints in many catching ways. Most of the painting ideas move around the following categories.

  • Floral patterns
  • Abstract designs 
  • Geometrical shapes
  • Natural views
  • Monogram 

Can You Paint A Leather Phone Case With Acrylic?

Yes, you can decorate your leather phone cover by using acrylic paint. Moreover, if you want to add life to your old leather items, you can paint them with acrylic.


FAQs

Can you paint it on your phone case?

Yes, you can easily paint your phone cover with a variety of compatible colours. But we recommend using acrylics as they are versatile and easy to handle. Moreover, they dry quickly and can be sealed for further protection.

Can I use acrylic paint on the guitar?

Yes, you can use acrylic paint on the guitar. But make sure you follow the correct practices and applications.

What type of paint should I use for my phone case?

Any paint that is compatible with the phone case surface can be used, but we recommend you try acrylic paints. They are easy to manage and affordable. Additionally, they dry faster.

Can I remove the paint from my phone case?

Yes, the paint can be removed easily from the phone cover. Some practical ways include soaking a piece of cloth or cotton in ethyl alcohol or nail polish and rubbing the surface until the paint disappears. An alternative route is simply using a magic eraser.

Does acrylic paint wash off?

Yes, acrylic paint is washable. But sealing it with a good quality sealer or varnish gives it longer life and durability.

Does acrylic paint work on silicone?

Yes, acrylic paint works perfectly on silicone phone cases. Apply the paint in a thin layer and seal it afterwards. Let the paint dry thoroughly before handling.

Can you use acrylic paint on the phone case?

Yes, acrylic paint can be used on phone cases. It dries quickly and saves you time. Additionally, it is compatible with a variety of surfaces. A sealer can add more protection to the paint.

Concluding:

Can you use acrylic paint on the phone case? Yes, it is one of the best choices to personalise your phone cover. Mixing a smaller quantity of water with acrylics and making the right consistency can help the paint stay longer on the phone case. Sealing the paint after it dries well is a plus point. Make sure the sealer dries thoroughly before you put the cover back.

If you want to remove acrylics from the phone case, you have to use safe methods like rubbing alcohol and nail polish. Moreover, Magic Eraser is an advance and effective way.

You can paint names, animals, natural views, floral patterns, abstract art, geometrical shapes and monogram on the phone cover.

For suggestions, queries and support, please leave a comment below. Thank you!

Jose Scott

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