Download Article
A step-by-step guide to painting vinyl records
Download Article
If you've got a stack of old records that don't play anymore, you might be wondering what to do with them. Instead of pitching them, turn your records into custom pieces of art! Think of the vinyl as a totally unique canvas that just needs a little paint and creativity. You don't need many supplies to paint a vinyl record, but if you have questions about materials or the painting process, read on.
Things You Should Know
- Wipe your record clean, then prime it using gesso so the paint doesn’t chip and peel.
- Use acrylic paint on your vinyl record. Use a wide paintbrush or foam brush for base coats and small, round brushes for detailed designs.
- Let the paint dry completely, then add clear acrylic gloss paint to seal your design and add an attractive shine.
Steps
Section 4 of 6:
How to Pour Acrylic Paint on the Record
-
Cover the hole in the record and set it on a rack to contain the mess. If you don't want paint falling through the middle of the record, stick a piece of painter’s tape on the underside of the hole. Set the record on a wire rack with a container underneath to catch the paint. [7] X Research source
- Feel free to cover as much of the center of the record as you like. For instance, you might put tape over all of the album info so you can still see the artist and album name once you've painted it.
-
Combine pouring medium with your choice of acrylic paint so it's thinner. Put 1 cup (240 ml) of pouring medium into a cup and stir in a 2 fl oz (59 ml) tube of acrylic paint. If you want to use more than one color, repeat this with another color in a separate cup.
- To make a pouring medium, mix 4 cups (0.95 L) of floetrol , 1 cup (240 ml) of craft glue , 1 ⁄ 2 cup (120 ml) of liquid pouring medium , and 1 ⁄ 4 cup (59 ml) of water. [8] X Research source
-
Pour the thin acrylic paint over the vinyl and swirl it to cover the record. There's no right or wrong way to pour the paint—you could overturn the paint cup onto the center of the record and let it slowly flow out or you could pour the paint in a circular motion around the grooves in the vinyl. Then, pick up the record by its sides and gently tilt it to get a swirled effect that covers the whole surface. [9] X Research source
- Although the record will probably be dry to the touch within a few hours, it's best to wait overnight so the paint can really harden.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Tips
- Don't want to cover the record information? Tear off short strips of painter's tape and press them across the center circle of the record. Once you're done painting, just peel them off! [12] X Research sourceThanks
- Use a record that is already scratched or damaged. Once it's painted, it will be unplayable.Thanks
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://allforturntables.com/2023/07/24/how-to-paint-vinyl-records/
- ↑ https://justpaint.org/suggested-drying-times-between-acrylic-layers/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/mMm6kHBVcxM?t=249
- ↑ https://youtu.be/EP6TxAtOYRc?t=12
- ↑ https://allforturntables.com/2023/07/24/how-to-paint-vinyl-records/
- ↑ https://allforturntables.com/2023/07/24/how-to-paint-vinyl-records/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/aGK-Ykes8Qc?t=6
- ↑ https://youtu.be/hlXvCP0n_j8?t=30
- ↑ https://youtu.be/sQo_uzizqlk?t=238
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 71,038 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "Helped out a lot, I make commissions and just recently started using vinyl records!"
Advertisement