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Question: Why do I always have problems painting with a stencil!?
I have always had problems! Currently, I am using craft paint!. The stencil was removed after the paint dried, and I have raised edges, and it bled out the sides even though the stencil was taped down flat!. I had to go around the whole thing with a fine brush! If I use a "dry" brush, I don't get clean edges within the stencil!. I applied two coats of paint, not very thickly!.
I would like to do more stenciling on other pieces, but I am afraid I won't be able to match the background color, so I am thinking of just giving up the whole idea!. Can anyone tell me what the heck I'm doing wrong!?!?Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Stencils are meant to be used with stencil paint and not craft paint!.
Crafts paints are water based and they will bleed through the stencils!. Stencil paint is oil based and have a thick creamy texture!.
The only way not have that problem is to use stencil paint or an airbrush!.
If you try to sponge your acrylic paint you might get a better result!. But you have to sponge it lightly!.
Here is a chart I find helpful:
http://www!.walltowallstencils!.com/paints!.!.!.
Www@QuestionHome@Com
The bleeding is from using too much paint on your brush!. Stencils are not supposed to be dark!. When using a stencil brush which has a flat top on a round brush, you need to do a 'dry brush' technique!. That means dipping your brush into the paint, then pouncing it on paper towels to get the excess off!. THEN you can do your stencil!. You want to use a strictly vertical motion when doing your stencils!. If you tilt your brush either way, it will get under the stencil!.
By working this way your stencils should come out better!. Www@QuestionHome@Com
you are using too much paint
it is usually best to use spray paint and do several thin layers
if you want to use paint from a can/tube get some foam and dab it on, make sure to have a scrap piece of paper to dab off the excess before blotting over your stencil
thin, thin layers are bestWww@QuestionHome@Com
I saw a clever idea to help end the bleeding edges!. Use a little background paint first to seal the edges!. It dries to a match with the background and then you can stencil with just about anything and it won't bleed under!. Www@QuestionHome@Com