The best alternatives to pouring mediums are Mod Podge, PVA Glue, or regular Elmer’s Glue. All of these alternatives work perfectly as a substitute for commercial pouring mediums. The only downside of using these alternatives is the longevity of the art piece.
Acrylic pouring is an amazing modern art technique for creating amazing-looking abstract art by pouring acrylic paint on a surface. But acrylic paint is too thick to be poured right out of the tube so it has to be thinned down to a point where it can be poured without any problems. There are professional pouring mediums, that you can use to thin the paint but they are quite expensive. So I tested a few alternatives to commercial pouring mediums to see if there are any viable options out there. And, to my surprise, there are actually a lot of very good alternatives.
There were quite a lot of different alternatives, that I tried but in the end, the three best alternatives to pouring medium are Modpodge, PVA glue, and Elmer´s glue.
Most other alternatives, that I tried, changed the vibrancy of the color too much, made the paint way too thin, or changed the viscosity of the paint in an undesirable way.
You probably already noticed, that my three top alternatives are all white glues. So basically if you have something, that is at its base white glue, like ModPodge or Elmer´s glue, then you can try to use that as a substitute for commercial pouring medium. Chances are, that it will work quite well.
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Using Mod Podge as a Substitute for Pouring Medium
Mod Podge is a very popular crafting glue and it can be used for a variety of crafts projects. So if you are a creative person at heart then chances are, that you at least heard of it or maybe you even have some at home.
Mod Podge is actually only a special variant of regular white glue. So it behaves very similar to PVA glue but it is a lot thinner than PVA glue. That is also the reason why I recommend using Mod Podge over PVA glue or Elmer´s glue if you have the choice.
Mod Podge will not change the vibrancy of the color or change the color in any way.
It will thin down the paint quite well and it will create a nice finish once the paint has dried.
The only downside is, that Mod Podge will yellow if it is left in a sunny spot for too long. It will also yellow after a while regardless but that will take at least a year. Most of the time even longer. You can read all about Mod Podge and why it starts yellowing in another article from me.
Mod Podge is also way cheaper than any commercial pouring medium.
You can get a lot of different variants of Mod Podge, though, which makes it a fun alternative as well. You can use Glitter Mod Podge, to give your paint a glitter effect or you could use Mod Podge matt to create a matt finish on your work.
There really is a lot to try out here!
Using PVA Glue or Elmer´s Glue as Pouring Medium
I will cover Elmer´s glue and PVA Glue together because they are very similar.
As I mentioned before both of these glues are also white glues just like Mod Podge. The Composition of these glues is only slightly different.
Both Elmer´s glue and PVA glue can be used as alternatives to commercial pouring mediums. They don´t change the vibrancy or color of the paint and they are both cheaper than regular pouring medium.
You will get a very good clear matt finish on your pouring.
I found, that the drying time was quite a lot faster compared to when I used a commercial pouring medium. I can only speculate as to why that is but I found that quite interesting. So if you want your pouring to dry faster than maybe using PVA glue or Elmer´s glue as a pouring medium is a viable solution.
You can buy PVA glue at your local hardware store or right here on Amazon.
The only downside to these two alternatives is the same as with Mod Podge. They tend to yellow after about one and a half years. So keep that in mind when you want to use these two types of glue as pouring mediums.
Can You Use Water Instead of Pouring Medium?
Acrylic paint is water-based so it is only logical to assume, that you can use water as a pouring medium for acrylic paint. So I tried to make a pouring by only using water as a pouring medium only to quickly realize my error.
Water can´t be used instead of pouring medium. Water changes the consistency of acrylic paint but it also changes the pigment density of the paint. Water will also hinder the paint from properly adhering to the painting surface. A little bit of water can be used together with pouring medium but not instead of pouring medium.
So my experiment went quite wrong.
Water diluted the paint to a point, where the vibrancy of the paint was almost completely gone.
Water can be used when painting with acrylic paint but for pouring the paint has to dry evenly and the paint has to stick to the painting surface. When you dilute the acrylic paint too much with water, then the paint will no longer adhere properly to the surface. This will result in a weird-looking pouring without the desired pouring effect.
You can use a little bit of water together with the pouring medium to further change the viscosity of the paint but I would not recommend using water instead of pouring medium.
Do You Even Need a Pouring Medium for Pouring?
Pouring medium can be quite expensive and even though a lot of hobby crafters and artists most likely have acrylic paints at home they probably don´t have a pouring medium at home. So obviously the question arises if it is possible to pour acrylic paint without a pouring medium. I tried it just for you and here is what I found out and why I would not do it again.
You need a pouring medium for pouring acrylic paint. Acrylic paint is to thick to be poured right out of the tube so it needs to be thinned down. Using just water will not work either because water will change the vibrancy and adhesion of the acrylic paint in an undesirable way. So a pouring medium is needed to prepare the paint for acrylic pouring.
I tried to pour without a pouring medium and it didn´t go well. The paint just wasn´t thin enough for pouring.
The paint did not spread at all and it was not possible for me to even get a single successful pour.
So, in the end, you really do need a pouring medium to successfully pour with acrylic paint. The paint is just to thick right out of the tube and you need to thin it down somehow.
As I already mentioned above, water is not a good substitute for a pouring medium for several reasons.
But, as I established in this article earlier, you don´t need to buy a commercial pouring medium either. There are cheaper alternatives, that you can use like Mod Podge, Elmer´s Glue, or PVA Glue.
Valentin
Hi, I am a passionate maker and professional prop maker for the entertainment industry. I use my woodworking, programming, electronics, and illustration know-how to create interactive props and puzzles for Escape Games and marketing agencies. And I share my knowledge and my experience on this blog with you so that you can become a maker yourself.
craftknights.com/valentin-busch/
FAQs
What is a good substitute for pouring medium? ›
The best alternatives to pouring mediums are Mod Podge, PVA Glue, or regular Elmer's Glue. All of these alternatives work perfectly as a substitute for commercial pouring mediums.
What can I use instead of Floetrol pouring medium? ›Yes, Mod Podge is considered to be an ideal Floetrol substitute. Not only is it fairly affordable, but it also give a glossy finish to your painting. Moreover, if you want you can use it as it is by adding a splash of water, or can mix it with other pouring mediums of your choice.
Can you use rubbing alcohol as a pouring medium? ›You can use a couple of drops of pouring medium, 91% Isopropyl alcohol, or water to dilute and bind the ink. Stir the mixture using your wooden craft stick. And you're ready to pour! You can pour each color at once or pour a little bit at a time.
What is a cheap alternative to pouring medium? ›It might surprise you, but simple liquid glue is actually a very effective, budget-friendly pouring medium. Elmer's Glue-All (not its School Glue) performs well as an extender when mixed with water and paints, and it dries clear with no residue.
How do you make a cheap pouring medium? ›- PVA Glue: 3 parts.
- Acrylic Gloss Medium: 1 part.
- Water: 1.5 parts.
- Acrylic Retarder: 37.5ml.
How are cells created in acrylic pouring? Cells are created by mixing acrylic paint with an additive like pouring medium (and optional silicone oil too) and pouring the mixture through a range of different techniques onto a surface.
What is the Dutch pour technique? ›A dutch pour is an acrylic pouring technique that uses air to manipulate the paints on a canvas. You can use a hair dryer, straw and lungs, or anything that blows air to make a dutch pour. Dutch pours are known for the ribbon like edges and cell lacing that can be achieved using the technique.
What happens if I mix rubbing alcohol with acrylic paint? ›Alcohol is one of the few substances that can dissolve dried acrylic paint. The degree of success depends upon the color and thickness of the paint. Some colors are staining colors and will not be removed completely.
What household products contain silicone? ›Silicones are used in Unilever home care products such as laundry detergents and fabric conditioners, some toilet cleaners, scouring creams, sprays, and machine dish wash gels. The silicones used in home care products typically act as antifoaming ingredients.
Can you use clear glue as a pouring medium? ›#650 Amazing Results Using CLEAR GLUE And Water As My Pouring Medium In This Flip Cup Pour. Acrylic flip cup pour. For this flip cup pour, I used 60% glue and 40% water as my pouring medium.
What can I use to thin paint for pouring? ›
To thin and mix paint for acrylic pouring you will use two main ingredients: acrylic paint and pouring medium. You mix the paint with the medium until your final mix runs like warm honey, motor oil, or chocolate syrup. If necessary add some water to thin further.
What can I use to thin acrylic paint for pouring? ›There are two choices for thinning acrylic paint: water or acrylic medium. Water breaks down the binder in acrylic, thinning the paint so that it looks like watercolor and allows it to sink into the surface, resulting in a matte finish.
What can I use instead of silicone in acrylic pouring? ›Dimethicone. This is a skin-safe alternative to silicone which is used in many beauty products. Another common usage is personal lubricants.
Can I make my own Floetrol? ›If you dilute your glue with a little bit of water, you will get a similar pouring consistency as Floetrol. Your painting will dry to a matte finish when using Elmer's Glue-all (very similarly to Floetrol).
Can you turn normal acrylic paint into pouring paint? ›To do the acrylic pouring, acrylic paint needs to be made liquid and pourable with the addition of a Pouring Medium and other ingredients as needed. This liquefied paint is then poured into each other or tilted onto the canvas and disseminated by tilting the painting surface, depending on the technique.
What is the cheapest art medium? ›Watercolors are the cheapest to start with and mistakes can usually be fixed by adding a little water to the paper to lift the paint off.
Can you use gesso as a pouring medium? ›Pour a small amount of acrylic paint into a plastic cup with your pouring medium (Gesso or mixture of Elmer's glue & water). Repeat this process for each color you want to use. If you want your painting to have cells (small circular shapes), add a little bit of silicone oil or WD-40 before you pour.
What is the best pouring medium for cells? ›Best Pouring Medium for Cells with Silicone
It consists of 10g Floetrol, 20g Elmer's glue all, 2g Liquitex Pouring Medium, and 5g Distilled water. For the colors, add ~1 drop silicone oil for every 2 oz paint mix (pouring medium plus your acrylic paints).
- Use student grade acrylic paints. There are two main types of acrylic paint that you can purchase: student vs artist grade. ...
- Collect run-off paint for reuse. ...
- Wipe down your gloves and mixing tools. ...
- Re-purpose an old canvas. ...
- Purchase cheap acrylic pouring medium.
This thinning medium from Vallejo readily dilutes paint without diluting the colors or causing durability or consistency issues. It can be used to thin down paints for painting and pouring but is also suitable for use in an airbrush or spray brush.
What happens if you mix acrylic paint with Mod Podge? ›
Painting Over Mod Podge
Even though it's not a paint, Mod Podge is both water-based and acrylic, so it is quite compatible with acrylic paint. Make sure the Mod Podge is completely dry and cured before painting; then paint over any areas you like.
Don't overmix your silicone into your paint mix. Overmixing will break the oil into tiny particles which will create tiny cells rather than big cells. Be patient. Pour your paint, torch, let the cells develop, and then tilt so that your cells can stretch and look even bigger.
Can you use baby oil for acrylic pouring? ›Before starting a paint pour, one must have the correct supplies. Some people use Elmer's Glue and other oils that they prefer or have found to work for them, i.e. baby oil or even WD-40.
What is dirty pour painting? ›Dirty pouring is a popular painting method that will give you fun and interesting results. Also known as acrylic pouring, this paint-pouring technique involves mixing more than one paint color in the same container before pouring it on to a surface.
Why did my Dutch pour crack? ›Acrylic pour art may crack due to the consistency of the paint itself, this can happen if it is too thick or too thin.
How do you use Amsterdam pouring medium? ›Amsterdam pouring medium can be mixed with acrylic paint and ink, adding the medium changes the viscosity. Mix it till you have a syrup like consistency for an ideal pouring mixture. Amsterdam pouring medium can be used for the popular technique cell pouring.
Does isopropyl alcohol eat acrylic? ›Cleaners: Avoid any cleaning products that contain alcohol, ammonia, aromatics, and other abrasives. Alcohol can cause cracks and microfractures in the surface of the acrylic.
What happens if you put alcohol on paint? ›A mixture of 10%-15% rubbing alcohol to 85%-90% water will not damage the paint. This can remove grease, oil, and other persistent stains on your car's body. Therefore, one can clean their car using alcohol diluted with water.
Does isopropyl alcohol work on acrylic paint? ›Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol, also known as isopropyl alcohol, is effective in removing dried acrylic from not only non-porous surfaces but also clothing with a little elbow grease.
Elmer's Glue is probably going to be your cheapest Floetrol substitute option, other than water. If you dilute your glue with a little bit of water, you will get a similar pouring consistency as Floetrol. Your painting will dry to a matte finish when using Elmer's Glue-all (very similarly to Floetrol).
Can I use water instead of Floetrol? ›
A common substitute for Floetrol is water. Adding a small amount of water to paint can help to improve its flow and workability. However, it is important to note that adding too much water can thin the paint and affect its ability to adhere to the surface properly.
What can I add to acrylic paint to make it pourable? ›To do an acrylic pour, you need to change the consistency of your paint into a fluid consistency. This is achieved by using an additive such as elmer's glue, floetrol, Liquitex pouring medium.
How do you make acrylic paint good for pouring? ›To do the acrylic pouring, acrylic paint needs to be made liquid and pourable with the addition of a Pouring Medium and other ingredients as needed. This liquefied paint is then poured into each other or tilted onto the canvas and disseminated by tilting the painting surface, depending on the technique.
Do professional painters use Floetrol? ›Many professional painters use Floetrol as their “secret weapon”, but it's so easy to use that you don't need to be a professional to use the product. It can be added to interior or exterior paint before applying.
What can you use instead of silicone oil for acrylic pouring? ›Dimethicone. This is a skin-safe alternative to silicone which is used in many beauty products. Another common usage is personal lubricants.
Is Floetrol necessary? ›Overall floetrol can be helpful if your working in extreme weather conditions with certain water borne paints. Â Floetrol can help reduce brush marks in your finish and make spraying your coating easier but proper directions should be followed when adding floetrol to a paint.
What does alcohol do to acrylic paint? ›Alcohol is one of the few substances that can dissolve dried acrylic paint. The degree of success depends upon the color and thickness of the paint. Some colors are staining colors and will not be removed completely.
Can you use rubbing alcohol to thin paint? ›You can thin acrylics with rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol, although you shouldn't use more than 20% alcohol in a mixture when thinning. Using too much alcohol can speed up the drying time of acrylic paint even more and will often result in uneven drying.