From bookshelves to benches and to statuettes and pendants, there’s so much you can do with wood, big or small. But you can’t leave your project at that, you need to put some color into it. This leads you to the question—what’s the best paint for wood crafts?
There are many paint types available in the market but not all can do the same job of bringing life to your wood craft. Check out our top picks below:
1. Best Paint for Woodcrafts Overall: Sargent Art Acrylic Paint
Established in 1930, Sargent Art has been a leader in the arts and crafts industry, delivering high-quality materials that are non-toxic. The Acrylic Paint Set from the brand is made in the US.
You can expect 12, 16oz bottles in assorted colors. They all come with a flip-top cap so they will be easy to use. One of the best features of the Sargent Art Acrylic Paint is it becomes water-resistant once it dries. It delivers an artist-quality, matte finish on wood craft projects.
The AP Certified Sargent Art Acrylic Paint is safe to use and tops the list of wood craft paint, thanks to its ease of use and consistent vibrant, and solid results.
- Non-toxic
- Water-resistant
- Matte finish
- Artist-quality acrylic
2. Runner-Up: Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint Set Best-Selling Colors
All of the best-selling colors from Apple Barrel can be found in their Best-Selling Colors Paint Set. All products from the arts company are proudly American-made. You can find fun colors in the set like Candy Pink, Parrot Blue, and Jack-o-Lantern.
Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint Set Best-Selling Colors promises smooth application no matter what type of surface, making it ideal for your wood projects. The bright and bold colors are consistent when it dries up, delivering a matte finish.
One of the best things about the Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint Set Best-Selling Colors is its convenience. The acrylic paint comes in 2oz bottles with flip-top caps. What’s more, the formula of Apple Barrel makes it easy for cleaning up after craft time.
- Smooth application
- Quick clean-up
- Matte finish
- Convenient size
3. Perfect for Beginners: Gotideal Acrylic Paint Set
Whether you are exploring art or you want to spark creativity in young ones, the Gotideal Acrylic Paint Set is an ideal option. This set comes with 18 colors that can be used for just about any project. So, if you are done painting wood crafts, you can also use it on other items like ceramic and stones.
The Gotideal Acrylic Paint Set delivers high pigments and creamy consistency, making it easy for beginners to use. Thanks to its artist-grade material and formulation, the acrylic paint will survive the test of time, artwork colors are long-lasting and non-fading.
If you accidentally smear paint on yourself or kids start coloring their skin, don’t worry. The Gotideal Acrylic Paint Set is water-based and is non-toxic.
- Creamy consistency, high pigments
- All-purpose paint set
- Artist-grade material
- Water-based, non-toxic
4. For Shimmering Projects: Ohuhu Metallic Paint Set
There’s nothing like a little glitter to perk up wood crafts. If you are tired of solid colors, you might consider getting the Ohuhu Metallic Paint Set. This set comes with 24, richly-pigmented colors, from Bright Gold to Pearl Black.
You can experiment and make new colors as the formula of the Ohuhu Metallic Paint Set allows it to be blended and mixed together. With a smooth consistency, it’s easy to paint Ohuhu even on rough wood surfaces. It has a quick-drying formula and offers high coverage.
It’s easy to squeeze out paint from the Ohuhu Metallic Paint Set as it comes in convenient bottles. Just open and close the lid and get the paint that you need.
- Shiny, glittery results
- Mixable and blendable formula
- Rich pigments
- Quick-drying
5. Ideal Wood Stain Paint: Varathane Premium Fast Dry Wood Stain
Now, there are certain visions wherein you want to make wood look dated or updated yet you don’t want to cover up its natural lines. Don’t worry, you can work with a wood stain for that, such as the Varathane Premium Fast Dry Wood Stain.
You can highlight natural wood grain with ease with wood stain paint. But with the Varathane Premium Fast Dry Wood Stain, you can get that and more. For starters, you don’t even need to use wood conditioner on your project. Then, with just 1 coat, you can achieve the perfect color. Finally, you can call it a day in just an hour—wait 24 hours for total curing.
The Varathane Premium Fast Dry Wood Stain is perfect for wooden furniture. It can penetrate deep into the wood and seal its pores as its stains grow darker.
- Dries in 1 hour
- Only 1 coat needed
- Seals wood pores
- Wood conditioner not required
6. Just the Basics: Liquitex BASICS 6 Tube Acrylic Paint Set
If you are not ready to go all out in your creative journey, you can always start small. For a little test drive, you just need the basics, the Liquitex BASICS 6 Tube Acrylic Paint Set is just that. This set comes with the primary colors yellow, red, and blue plus green, white, and black.
Liquitex specializes in acrylics and has been in the industry since 1955. You can expect amazing performance from the Liquitex BASICS 6 Tube Acrylic Paint Set. The color is spreadable, just like butter, and delivers high-quality pigments. More importantly, color opacities can be adjusted for use as tint, shade, or undertone.
The Liquitex BASICS 6 Tube Acrylic Paint Set is versatile and will adhere to different types of surfaces. You can use it for smooth or uneven wood projects.
- Adjustable colors
- High-quality pigments
- Versatile acrylic paint
- Butter-like consistency
7. For Fine Lines: Acrylic Paint Pens
When it comes to painting tools, not everyone is used to a brush. Thankfully, there are Acrylic Paint Pens. This allows you to make finer details on smaller wooden projects, from keychains to birdhouses.
With a 0.7mm tip, you can make precise drawings with Acrylic Paint Pens. The colors will swipe and stay perfectly on all types of surfaces from porous wood to glossy rocks. Once it dries, the colors will be safe from the elements, rain or shine.
Some people have a better handle on Acrylic Paint Pens, especially kids. And you don’t have to worry about children using the pens as the acrylic paint in them is water-based and, more importantly, non-toxic.
- Water-based
- 0.7mm tip
- Waterproof, sun-resistant
- Non-toxic
8. For Furniture Upcycling: FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Finish Paint Set
What paint is best for wood crafts and furniture upcycling? Some would argue the chalk paint, which delivers an ultra-matte finish. You can create luxe or shabby chic looks with the FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Finish Paint Set. This set delivers a highly pigmented color that doesn’t require any prepping.
The FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Finish Paint Set is perfect if you love improving flea-market finds or updating your current furniture. Chalk paint offers excellent coverage and consistency for a rustic and ultra-matte finish.
While wet, the water-based FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Finish Paint Set can be easily cleaned up. Its non-toxic formula makes it perfect for use for all wood projects, and not just furniture.
- Water-based, non-toxic
- Ultra-matte, rustic finish
- Heavily-pigmented
- No need for prepping
9. From Wood to Faux Metal: Rust-Oleum Hammered Metal Finish
Metal can be very expensive and it isn’t the easiest material to work with for DIYs. Thankfully, there is paint that you can use to turn hardwood into faux galvanized steel. The Rust-Oleum Hammered Metal Finish is an oil-based paint that is easy to use.
You don’t need to prime your wood project before you can start painting. The Rust-Oleum Hammered Metal Finish promises weather-resistant results. What’s more, you only need up to 4 hours for your project to dry.
You can save a ton of money and effort with the Rust-Oleum Hammered Metal Finish. Think a simple wooden mailbox can look like a vintage metal one. There’s so much more you can do with wood and metal finish paint.
- Weather-resistant
- Oil-based formula
- 2 to 4 hours dry time
- No need for priming
10. Non-Toxic Option: Real Milk Paint
Whether you are a parent or fur-parent, it’s completely valid to feel apprehensive about what goes in and out of your home. The Real Milk Paint puts all of those to rest if you plan on doing DIY projects. Whether you want to repaint a baby crib or make a new wooden bed for your dog, this paint is perfect.
The Real Milk Paint is made from 100% organic material (no VOCs at all!) and it is environmentally friendly, too. The non-toxic powdered paint is easily mixed with water and can last for weeks in its liquid form.
With the Real Milk Paint, you can create smooth finishes on your wood projects or even an antique look. This paint is compostable and biodegradable plus food-contact safe too.
- Environmentally-friendly
- Made from 100% organic material
- Safe for kids and pets
- Easy to use, powdered paint
11. Best Paint for Outdoor Wood Crafts: Wolman Outdoor Furniture Paint
Aside from improving the look of your patio furniture, the Wolman Outdoor Furniture Paint can also protect them. Whether you just want to update outdoor wood pieces or want to create a new one, this paint offers extreme protection from the weather.
The Wolman Outdoor Furniture Paint is very thick to promise durability. You just need a minimum of 2 coats to protect your wood craft or furniture, dry time is quite quick, around 2 to 4 hours. This furniture paint’s formula is designed specifically for hardwood.
Since the Wolman Outdoor Furniture Paint is water-based, it is safe for things your kids may use, such as a picnic table or an outdoor play area. It can definitely help lengthen the life of outdoor wood furniture.
- Extreme weather protection
- Water-based formula
- Perfect for hardwood
- Dries as fast as 2 hours
12. Budget-Friendly: Crafts 4 All Acrylic Paint Set
Get the most bang for your buck with the Crafts 4 All Acrylic Paint Set. This set already comes with 3 paintbrushes and 24 color paint tubes. It has all of the basics pat-down from warm yellows and reds to cool hues of blue and green plus the essential black and white.
The affordable Crafts 4 All Acrylic Paint Set has a kid-friendly formula. It is water-based and non-toxic so you can rest easy during crafts time. The acrylic paint also has a blendable formula, you can make up different colors and expect vibrant pigmented results.
Aside from using the Crafts 4 All Acrylic Paint Set on wood, it can also be used on other items like glass and ceramic, and of course, paper.
- Easily blendable
- Vibrant pigments
- Water-based and non-toxic
- Comes with 3 brushes
13. Best Spray Paint for Wood Crafts: Krylon COLORmaxx Paint & Primer Spray Paint
If you want to paint your project quickly with the least amount of effort, then spray paint might just be the thing for you. The Krylon COLORmaxx Paint & Primer Spray Paint is easy to use and offers a quick drying time, around 10 minutes or less.
With this spray paint, you don’t need a primer for your wood project. You just angle the spray tip any which way you need and click on the big button. What you will get with the Krylon COLORmaxx Paint & Primer Spray Paint is a solid color with optimum coverage.
Excellent durability and adhesion can be expected from this spray paint. The Krylon COLORmaxx Paint & Primer Spray Paint can be used for projects intended for outdoor or indoor use.
- Dries in 10 minutes
- Indoor or outdoor use
- Superior color and premium coverage
- Paint + primer
Buying Guide for Best Paint for Wood Crafts
When it comes to buying the best paint for unfinished wood crafts, there are several factors you need to consider. You’ll be able to pick out the right one depending on your project’s needs as well as your preferences:
Paint Application on Wood Craft
How will you go about painting your project? Do you prefer using a paintbrush? A roller? Or maybe you are more comfortable handling spray paint? You can easily narrow down your choices by knowing which paint application you plan on doing.
Size of Wood Project
Will you be working on a huge bedframe or just stenciling your name onto a wooden ruler? When you have big projects, it’s best to opt for gallons of paint but with smaller ones, you can settle for bottles or tubes.
Wood Craft Purpose
Another thing you need to consider is what is the purpose of the project? Are you trying to improve the longevity of your patio furniture? If this is the case, then you need to get paint designed specifically for outdoor use or the best acrylic paint for wood crafts. Maybe you want to create vintage-style frames as gifts, then it’s best to go for chalk.
Conclusion: Best Paint for Wood Crafts
By now, you should have a clearer vision of your project and the type of paint that you will need. Acrylic paint is definitely an excellent option for wood projects, it’s easy to use and durable.
However, in the end, it all boils down to you. Because the best paint for wood crafts will actually depend on your own preferences as well as the kind of project you are working on.
Liked our tips on the best paint for wood crafts? Then be sure to check out our picks for The 10 Best Epoxy Resin for Crafts or The Best Printers for Art Prints! Thanks for reading!