Are you looking for a way to spruce up your nails without going through the hassle of getting an entirely new manicure? Painting over acrylic nails might be the solution you have been searching for.
But is that a good idea? Can you paint over acrylic nails? I’ll share whether it’s a good idea or not, to paint over the top of your acrylic nails.
Plus the materials needed if you do want to give it a try, how to prepare your nails, and tips for ensuring smooth application.
Benefits Of Having Acrylic Nails?
Acrylic nails are most commonly made of acrylic powder, which is mixed with a liquid monomer to form long-lasting and incredibly strong fake nails.
Acrylics are thicker than natural nails, making them ideal for people who have thin and brittle natural nails that break easily.
The acrylic gel used in this process dries quicker than the traditional air-drying acrylic processing method, providing a stronger adhesion and longer wear time than other types of artificial nails.
Since acrylics are thicker than natural nails, they can be shaped into almost any design or shape desired – from round to almond or even more intricate designs such as animals or flowers.
Having acrylic nails is an excellent way to make your hands look more attractive without going through too much effort.
Acrylics require very little care compared to natural nails; they don’t need filing, buffing or polishing like their organic counterparts do.
With proper maintenance and upkeep, these fake nails can last anywhere from two weeks up to six weeks, depending on how quickly your own natural nails grow out and needs replacing.
Having good quality acrylic powered with the right technique makes it possible for you to customize the length, shape and color of your own fake fingernails.
So you aren’t limited by what nature has given you – giving you endless possibilities when it comes to personalizing your look.
How Long Do Acrylic Nails Last?
Acrylic nails can last anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks with proper maintenance. The exact time frame varies depending on the individual’s lifestyle, nail care routine, and quality of products used.
Generally, acrylic nails are known to be strong and durable, so regular fill ins or touch ups will help them last longer.
Properly applied, acrylic nails should be long lasting and look great until they are ready to be filled or replaced.
Keeping them away from water as much as possible, as well as avoiding contact with harsh chemicals or detergents, can help protect them from early damage.
Taking extra caution when it comes to everyday activities such as gardening, cleaning dishes and housework is important for keeping their longevity in check.
It’s also helpful to wear gloves when performing these tasks if possible.
Using products that contain Vitamin E oil for nourishing your natural nails can keep them healthy underneath the acrylic’s protection.
For individuals looking for an even longer wear time with acrylic nails without sacrificing their natural nail health.
There are other product options such as dip powder systems that can provide additional benefits over traditional liquid monomers and polymers.
Dip powder systems offer a stronger bond between the natural nail plate and the product, which allows it to last much longer than expected while still being gentle enough on the nail bed area not to cause any irritation or damage.
This type of system is ideal if you intend to wear your acrylic nails for extended periods of time or have a busy lifestyle that requires frequent touch ups.
Can You Paint Over Acrylic Nails?
You can paint over acrylic nails, but if you want them to last, the process is a bit complicated and time consuming.
If you have already put polish on the acrylic nails, then you will need to remove it completely before adding any new coat of paint.
If your current color of your acrylic nails is simply fading with time, then there is no need to remove the existing polish, and you can just go ahead and start painting nail polish on acrylic nails.
However, if you want to paint your acrylic nails with gel polish or regular nail polish after having had them done at home or professionally.
Then make sure all old nail polish has been removed before you repaint your acrylic nails with your chosen regular nail polish.
To get started with painting over your acrylic nails at home, begin by using a damp towel and rubbing alcohol solution to scrub off all existing polish.
Make sure that all traces of the old nail color are gone; otherwise it will interfere with the new coats of paint.
Once all surface dirt has been removed from each nail bed, fill in any chipped surfaces with an appropriate polymer product for a strong grip once the top coat and nail polish has been applied.
Now use a base coat specially formulated for use on artificial nails (such as nail polish remover) which helps create adhesion strength between the gel or powder layer and top coat layers later down the line.
You may add in additional base coats depending on what type of finish you would like for your new nail polish look over the acrylic base.
Whether creamy matte or glossy – this process should be repeated until the desired opacity has been achieved, and you don’t even have to visit your nail salon.
Can You Paint Over Gel Nails?
Yes, you can paint over gel nail polish. This is an excellent way to give yourself a brand new look without having to remove and reapply the gel polish.
When painting over your nails, some things must be taken into consideration for the best nail paint results possible.
First, make sure that you are applying a quality top coat before any other colors, as this will help protect the underlying colors from chipping or fading too quickly.
Another important factor is ensuring that all of your nail polish colors dry completely in between layers—this will prevent them from smearing or running together and causing your mani-pedi to look messy.
Avoid using darker colors, as these can often stain lighter shades underneath if not cared for properly.
Lastly, be sure to use a good quality base coat on each layer of color so that they adhere well and last longer without flaking off or coming loose prematurely.
Can You Use Regular Nail Polish To Repaint Acrylic Nails?
You can use regular nail polish to repaint acrylic nails, but you must take extra precaution when doing so.
Acetone free nail polish is essential, and this type of nail polish does not contain any ingredients that will harm your acrylic nails.
To begin, use an acetone free nail polish remover or warm water with mild detergent to remove the existing old nail polish and remove the acrylic polish from your acrylic nails with a cotton ball.
After removing all the old polish, make sure you clean and dry all of the nails completely before you apply a new coat of normal nail polish.
This is important to ensure that the new polish adheres correctly and lasts longer without any chips or fading.
When applying the normal nail polish, start at one end of your fingernail and paint in small strokes until each finger has been covered with a single layer of color.
Allow the paint to air dry before applying another layer, if necessary for full coverage.
With proper care and maintenance, you can ensure your acrylic and natural nails look great by using regular nail polishes designed for natural fingernails.
How To Use Nail Polish To Paint Acrylic Nails?
Before you can paint acrylic nails, you will need to start with clean nails. You should wash and dry your hands thoroughly to remove any dirt or oils from the nail bed.
Next, use a cotton swab and acetone-based polish remover to lightly buff any remaining polish from the surface of your regular nails.
Once all of the old polish is removed and your nail beds are fully cleaned, you can begin applying two coats of nail polish over the top of your regular nails.
Make sure that you wait for each coat to dry properly before applying the next one. If desired, you can also add additional layers of polishes without creating a thick build up on the surface of each nail.
After finishing with multiple coats of polish, use a high-quality topcoat to help seal in the color and provide an extra bit of shine.
For best results, it is important that these steps be done carefully; otherwise they may not last as long as expected.
Finally, once you have finished painting your acrylics, take some time to allow them some time to dry completely.
Before removing them by soaking in warm water or using specially designed tools for taking off gel nails and acrylics without causing damage or chipping away too much product from underneath the nails.
Do You Need To Use A Base Coat To Use Nail Polish Over Acrylic Nails?
When applying nail polish over regular nails, it is always important to start with clean nails before painting.
This means thoroughly cleaning nails and cuticles, filing away ridges or bumps and pushing back cuticles.
All of these steps help create a smooth base before applying any type of polish. When it comes to acrylic nails, however, an extra step must be taken: using a base coat.
Applying a base coat on acrylic nails helps protect the surface from color staining and is key in keeping them looking fresh for longer periods of time.
Without a base coat the nail bed can become discolored or stained due to the pigment in certain polishes, making your polished look dull and lackluster after multiple uses.
Running a quick swipe of your favorite base coat prior to polishing ensures that each layer will stay put for much longer than it would without one—especially important when you’re investing in long-lasting gel polishes.
Summary
Painting over acrylic nails is a great way to change up your look without having to get an entirely new manicure.
However, it’s important to take the necessary steps for preparing the nail beds and applying additional layers of color for long-lasting results.
To do this correctly, use a damp towel and rubbing alcohol solution to scrub off all existing polish before applying any new coats of paint.
Next, fill in any chipped surfaces with an appropriate polymer AcrySil product and use a base coat specially formulated for use on artificial nails (such as nail polish remover) which helps create adhesion strength between the gel or powder layer and top coat layers later down the line.
You can then apply multiple coats of regular nail polish; however, taking extra precaution when it comes to darker colors is highly recommended—these can often stain lighter shades underneath if not cared for properly.
After you have finished painting your acrylics, take some time to let them dry completely before removing them by soaking in warm water or using specially designed tools for taking off gel nails and acrylics without causing damage or chipping away too much product from underneath the nails.