Acrylic paint is a soft, water-based, flexible paint made from an emulsion of acrylic polymers and pigment. It can be used to create durable paintings. Unfortunately, there is no way to recover most acrylic paint once it has dried. Acrylics are formulated to dry quickly and adhere strongly to surfaces. Once dry they can't be refreshed. To conserve acrylic paint, keep it moist and use only small amounts at a time.
Things You'll Need
Acrylic paint
Pallet
Water
Damp Sponge
Spray bottle
"Stay-wet" pallet (optional)
Show More
Instructions
1
Close the cap on the paint tube after every use.
Squeeze a small amount of paint out of the paint tube.
2
Clean your paintbushes with lukewarm soapy water before the paint dries.
Keep the paint from drying during use by misting it with water from a spray bottle or using moistened brushes.
3
Rinse off your pallet before the paint dries to reduce product buildup.
To store unused paint, drip a small amount of water over your paint pallet and store it covered with tinfoil or plastic wrap. This should keep the paint fresh for up to two days. If you are storing the paint in a sealed, airtight container, place a damp sponge inside the container to keep the paint moist for up to a week.
Alternatively, "Stay-wet" pallets designed specifically to keep acrylic paints moist are available for purchase in art supply stores.