What is the Difference Between Acrylic and Enamel Paint?

In this article, we will be discussing the difference between acrylic and enamel paint to determine how best to use them.

If you want to know what makes these unique and what advantages they offer, keep reading…

People who work with paint know how important it is to find the right material for each project. There is a wide variety of paint you can choose from including lacquer, urethane, acrylic, and enamel.

If you have these options available to you, you need to make sure that you use the correct kind of paint for your work.

Differences Between Acrylic and Enamel Paint

Acrylic and enamel paint each have their own strengths and weaknesses that make them perfect for specific purposes.

For one, enamel paint is known for its glossy characteristics because it is oil-based. It is best used on non-porous surfaces including metal. This material can stand frequent handling and traffic, which makes it a hardwearing option.

While enamel paint might look good because of its glossy finish, it is important to take note that it dries slower than acrylic. This is because of its oil content. It is not considered a traditional artist’s painting but, nevertheless, it was used by notable artists such as Pablo Picasso.

Meanwhile, acrylic paint is chemical-based and has a matte appearance.

It is recommended for use on porous and outdoor surfaces because it can expand and contract depending on the temperature. It can also be used for non-porous surfaces.

Acrylic paint gets its flexibility from emulsified polymers. When exposed to air, emulsified polymers form strong bonds to surfaces. This reduces the possibility of detaching, which is often observed in exposed surfaces.

However, keep in mind that acrylic wears down faster than enamel. Without proper air circulation, it can easily crack or split.

Moreover, you want to make sure that you use a primer paint or undercoat before you apply acrylic on non-porous surfaces. These undercoats have a stronger attachment to the surface, which helps acrylic cling better.

Now that you know the differences between acrylic and enamel, you might want to see examples of work that used these materials. Ready? Read on…

Examples of Work That Used Acrylic Paint

Let’s take a look at the design house Comme des Garcons’ fall/winter collection back in 2016 to 2017. This work titled “ensemble” was designed by Rei Kawakubo.

To create the collection, the designer used a variety of materials including acrylic, silk, polyester, rayon, nylon, acetate, and cotton.

For the acrylic part, the designer used to paint on fabrics.

As mentioned, this paint is compatible with porous materials including textiles, making this work a great example of the use of acrylic.

Andy Warhol’s Still Life also features acrylic on a porous surface, this time on canvas.

It features the Marxist symbolism of the hammer and sickle to champion laborers and farmers. Created in 1976, the contemporary artist also used the color red, which is closely associated with the movement.

This painting was gifted by Richard and Peggy Danziger to the Met Museum.

It has been exhibited in various galleries and museums across the United States including the Leo Castelli Gallery in New York, Marsh Art Gallery in Virginia, and the Arkansas Arts Center.

Examples of Work That Used Enamel Paint

Francois Czapek’s Watch created from 1850 to 1855 used enamel on metal, including gold, brass, and steel. This particular timepiece features a portrait of Russian czar Nicholas I.

The watch is designed with precious jewels and stones. The use of enamel in this piece makes perfect sense because it works with glittering designs thanks to its glossy appearance.

One bit of trivia about this watch is that it features an early version of the stem-winding movement, which was invented by the co-founders of luxury watchmaker Patek-Philippe.

Another example is the necessaire created by watchmaker Joseph Martineau, Sr. Using a variety of materials, this work was created using gold, agate, ivory, steel, tortoiseshell, and even hair.

The watch is enclosed in a small chest, which features elegant and intricate designs. It has miniature accessories such as a spoon, comb, and brush.

This piece of metalwork was part of Admiral Frederic Harris’ collection. Harris is a philatelist (or a person who studies or collects stamps) and a notable engineer, who is recognized for his floating dry dock designs.

The Bottom Line

Being able to discern which paint works best for your art or design project is a great talent. This can help you prolong the quality of your work, while also ensuring that your materials are compatible, from your surface to the type of paint you use.

Now that you know the differences between acrylic and enamel paints, you can decide which one to use for your next project.