How to Use Acrylic Binder Medium: Step-by-Step Guide
Acrylic binder medium is the clear "glue" part of acrylic paint. Use it to make your own paint from dry pigments and mica powder, to seal and size absorbent surfaces, and to extend acrylic colour without weakening the paint film the way water does.
How to use acrylic binder medium: gently shake the bottle. To make paint, stir dry pigment or mica powder into the binder a little at a time until smooth. To seal canvas, paper, wood or MDF, brush a thin coat on straight and let it dry before painting. To extend acrylic paint, mix up to 2 parts paint to 1 part binder. It dries clear, non-yellowing and water resistant. Clean up with soap and water.
Solid Solutions Acrylic Binder Medium is a water-based acrylic emulsion, professional artist grade and non-toxic. It dries clear, non-yellowing and water resistant. Australian made.
Shop acrylic binder medium →What Is Acrylic Binder Medium?
Acrylic binder medium is a colourless acrylic emulsion, the same kind of binder that holds acrylic paint together. On its own it seals porous surfaces and improves adhesion. Mixed with pigment it becomes paint. Mixed into acrylic colour it extends and thins the paint while keeping the acrylic film strong.
| Quick reference | Solid Solutions Acrylic Binder Medium |
|---|---|
| Base | Water-based acrylic emulsion |
| Dries | Clear, non-yellowing, water resistant |
| Binds | Dry pigments, pigment dispersions and mica powder |
| Seals | Canvas, paper, wood and MDF |
| Extending paint | Up to 2 parts paint : 1 part binder |
| Not for | Watercolour (it isn't a re-wettable binder) |
| Clean up | Soap and water, while still wet |
| Sizes | 250ml and 1 litre |
How to Use Binder Medium, Step by Step
Make your own acrylic paint
Shake and pour
Gently shake the bottle, then pour binder medium into a clean container.
Add pigment gradually
Add dry pigment, pigment dispersion or mica powder a little at a time, mixing until smooth and evenly coloured. To avoid clumps with dry pigment, pre-wet it with a tiny splash of water first.
Test a small batch
Keep adding until you reach the colour strength and consistency you want. Brush out a test first, as every pigment behaves differently.
Seal or size a surface
Apply a thin coat
Brush a smooth, even coat straight onto raw canvas, paper, wood or MDF with a wide, soft synthetic or foam brush. Don't overwork it.
Dilute for a lighter coat (optional)
For a lighter sizing coat, dilute slightly with clean water. Keep it milky, not watery.
Dry, then paint
Let it dry fully before painting. Very absorbent surfaces may need a second thin coat.
Extend acrylic paint
Mix it in
Stir binder medium into your acrylic paint, up to 2 parts paint to 1 part medium. For example, 100 g of paint with 20 g of binder gives a slightly more transparent paint with better flow and plenty of acrylic resin.
Adjust to purpose
Use more medium for transparent layers, staining and glazing; less for general brushwork. For very fluid mixes, let the medium do the work and add only minimal water.
Advanced Artist Tips
Stir mica powder into the binder to make a shimmering metallic acrylic paint that dries water resistant.
Seal only the areas where you want crisp edges and intense colour, leaving other areas absorbent for soft staining.
Apply 2–3 thin sealing coats on raw canvas, then glaze over it for luminous layers with less dulling.
Brush a thin coat under paper or fabric, press it down, then brush another thin coat on top to seal the edges.
Binder Medium vs Water vs Flow and Pouring Medium
| Thinning with | What happens |
|---|---|
| Water | Too much reduces the binder around the pigment and can weaken adhesion and water resistance. |
| Binder medium | Keeps or increases the acrylic polymer content, so paint stays strong and durable. Also seals and binds pigment. |
| Flow medium | Tuned for smoother brush flow, blending and extended working time. |
| Pouring medium | Tuned for self-levelling fluid art pours and cells. |
Acrylic Binder Medium Questions & Answers
What does binder medium do in acrylic painting?
It's the clear acrylic "glue" that forms the paint film. On its own it improves adhesion and seals porous surfaces; mixed with pigment it makes paint; mixed into colour it extends and thins paint while keeping the film strong and durable.
Can I use it to make my own acrylic paint?
Yes. Mix dry pigment, pigment dispersion or mica powder into the binder a little at a time until you reach the colour and consistency you want. Test a small batch first, as every pigment behaves differently.
Can I mix mica powder with binder medium?
Yes. Stir mica powder into the binder to make a shimmering metallic acrylic paint that dries water resistant.
Is it a watercolour binder?
No. It's an acrylic binder that dries to a water-resistant film. Watercolour paints use a re-wettable binder such as gum arabic.
Can I use it straight to seal raw canvas or wood?
Yes. A thin, even coat works as a sizing layer to reduce absorbency and stop paint seeping through. Let it dry fully before painting, and add a second thin coat if the surface is very absorbent.
How much binder medium should I add to acrylic paint?
Up to 2 parts paint to 1 part medium. For example, 100 g of paint with 20 g of binder gives a slightly more transparent paint with better flow. Use more for glazing and staining, less for general brushwork.
Why use binder medium instead of water?
Too much water reduces the binder around the pigment, which can weaken adhesion and water resistance. Binder medium maintains or increases the acrylic polymer content, so the paint stays strong once dry.
Will it change colour strength or transparency?
Colours become slightly more transparent as you add more, because pigment is spread further. But it avoids the weak, chalky look of over-thinning with water.
Why does it look cloudy or bubbly while brushing?
Usually from over-brushing, a stiff brush or shaking too hard. Use a softer brush, fewer passes and let the layer level itself. Wait until the first coat is dry before adding a second.
Can I use binder medium as a final varnish?
It dries to a clear, water-resistant acrylic film, but it isn't a dedicated varnish. For a finished painting, use a purpose-made varnish.
Shop and Related Guides
Make your own colour
Solid Solutions Acrylic Binder Medium in 250ml and 1 litre.