Can You Bake Acrylic Paint in the Oven? Tips + Guideline

You have painted a beautiful piece using acrylic paint and want to preserve its beauty or make it where you can use it without ruining the paint. How is that done? Is it even possible? Do you let it air dry or can you bake it in the oven?

Can you bake acrylic paint in the oven, or will it melt right off the project? Yes, you can bake it in the oven, and you will get an amazing finish. One thing to note is before you do this, there are steps to follow and safety measures to take. You also need to make sure that you have the oven set at the right temperature.

Read on how to bake your acrylic paint in the oven and what you need to do to do this safely. Here we will cover the basic safety issues, correct temperature, and how to prepare the project for baking.

Can You Bake Acrylic Paint in the Oven?

Yes, you can bake acrylic paint in the oven. When you bake your project in the oven, you will get a wonderful finish that will preserve your project and make it where it can be used if you want. Although you can bake acrylic in the oven, you cannot just put it in there and turn it on. You have to do preparation first.

Things to Note before Baking

• Make sure that the paint you are using is safe for the oven
• You want to check to make sure that the paint will not release a toxic chemical.
• Before putting it on the project you want to oven bake, read the material manufacturer specs and paint specifications to be sure it will not emit toxic fumes and is oven safe.
• Never use the oven you use for food preparation to bake your acrylic paint. This is because toxic fumes could emit from the oven, and you do not want that in your food.
• There is water-based and chemical-based acrylic paint. If possible, use the water-based acrylic paint to lessen the issues chemical-based acrylic paint could cause.
• You should, after baking and giving it time to cure, use a sealant on the project. If it is something you are going to eat or drink from, make sure that the sealant is food safe.

How to Bake Acrylic Paint in the Oven?

There are two types of material that you can bake in the oven that has been painted with acrylic paints. Both of these require special baking instructions.

Ceramic

Generally, when talking about ceramic, you are referring to a plate or mug. The first thing after painting your project is to let it dry for at least an hour. Do not put your piece into a preheated oven, it has to be cool to help prevent it from cracking or breaking. Set it at 300 degrees and set the preheat timer. When it goes off, then set the alarm for thirty minutes.

After that alarm goes off, turn off the oven and let your project cool in the oven for at least an hour before you pick it up. At this time, your ceramic plate or mug has become dishwasher safe.

Glass

Before painting your glass, make sure that it is safe to put in the oven. The first thing to do is prime your glass with a clear primer. Once the primer has dried, you should put at least three coats of acrylic paint on the glass, letting each layer dry before adding the next one. Before you place it in the oven, let it dry for at least 24 hours.

Do not preheat the oven before you put the glass in there. It has to be a cool oven. Set the oven at 350 degrees, set the preheat timer and when it goes off, set the alarm for another 30 minutes. After you turn off the oven, let the glass cool down in the oven at least an hour before handling.

You must let your glass cure for at least 72 hours before you can wash it or the paint will wash off, even though it has been baked in the oven.

Can Acrylic Paint Be Heated?

Acrylic paint can be heated to a certain degree. This is what some call a heat set. Some, after their project is done, will use a heat gun or blow dryer to dry the paint quickly without using the oven. You need to make sure that if you use this method that the area is properly ventilated as the acrylic paint will release a chemical when it is drying. It can be harmful if there is no proper ventilation. The chemical can be dangerous if it dried too fast as that accelerates how fast the chemical is released.

If the paint is still wet, you should not warm it over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. It can be heated to a higher temperature if it is dried completely. Make surer that if you are using a blow dryer that it is set on low heat.

Although acrylic paint can be heated, if the paint is damp or wet, and the temperature gets over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, it could cause the acrylic paint to blister, bubble, or crack. The heat will affect its adhesion. If it dries too quickly, it will start to peel as the paint cures.

Final Verdict

Can you bake acrylic paint in the oven? Yes, but it is advisable that you use an oven that you are not going to use for food preparation. The reason is that acrylic paint emits a chemical that can linger in the oven after baking your project. You also need to make sure that you are starting with a cool oven and make sure that there is ventilation in the room. Baking your piece will make it harder and safe to use.