<p>Water and oil are both problem liquids.  Water-based finishes (not water colors, which are inherently unsuitable, but acrylics, for example), improve their water resistance as they dry and cure, but they can often degrade if submerged in water for a very long time.  Oil can affect the adhesion of the paint, and can break down some finishes over very long exposure.  The model repeatedly moving through the liquid would also help to strip off any degraded finish.</p>
<p>The image used in the example looks like the colors are in layers.  If that will mostly be the case, you could cast the model in layers using colored resin, which would avoid the problems of adding a finish.</p>
<p>If there are areas that don't lend themselves to that, you could paint those with colored resin of the same type, or another resin or adhesive designed to  bond with it (you can add colorants to resins and adhesives).  Use a material that integrates with the model, or forms a bond as strong as the resin, itself.</p>
<p>Using the same resin is ideal; otherwise, think in terms of materials that will weld themselves to the surface and can be made the color you want, rather than looking at paint or finishes designed to be added decoration.  For example, there are some epoxies that are formulated to form a really strong bond with many plastic resins.</p>
<p>Use proper surface preparation.  It can also help to include shallow recesses in the mold for the &quot;paint&quot; spots so that the paint spot doesn't have a raised edge.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-03-20T21:02:51.520Z
2022-03-20T21:16:36.610Z
2022-03-20T21:16:36.610Z
fixer1234
<p>Water colours will certainly wash off, if you are able to apply them in the first place.</p>
<p>As suggested in the comments, acrylics might work, but that likely depends on the bond with the substrate. You can ground the plastic, and/or roughen it up slightly with some sandpaper.  Acrylics will need a coating or sealer to make it waterproof.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-02-18T19:39:22.857Z
2022-02-18T19:39:22.857Z
Joachim
<p>Acrylics should do the trick and you can seal it with a polyurethane varnish to help protect the colors from wearing away - it also gives a lovely glossy finish.</p>
<p>Look up tutorials on painting and sealing polymer clay, they should give you more in depth info if you need.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-02-17T07:20:29.297Z
Hi Mareli, it's usually good advice to look up tutorials online, but on this platform we like to have isolated answers, independent of external resources. If you have found tutorials online that really suit the situation, you can of course link to them as additional information, but it's usually good to then comment on why you think it is appropriate. Please take our [Tour] to familiarize yourself some more with our platform. Welcome to Arts & Crafts!
Joachim
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-02-17T06:56:43.857Z
2022-02-17T06:56:43.857Z
Mareli Basson
<p>I am making a small paperweight liquid toy, and I have no idea which type of paint to use to paint the buoyant object inside in order for it to not lose its colours while moving inside.</p>
<p>This is an example:</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/3REyx.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/3REyx.jpg" alt="toy boat" /></a></p>
<p>If I use water based paint on the boat object (the same paint that is used to paint on paper), would it fade away or wash out because it is moving inside the oil and water?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-01-11T11:53:54.963Z
What's the model made of? That will affect what paint to use.  But watercolours won't be a good choice (acrylics *might* be, and are water-based)
Chris H
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-01-11T21:14:05.080Z
I am thinking about using Casting Resin, does it adhere well? and will it fade away with time and friction inside the oil/water and the borders?
Your Dearest Fan
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-01-11T21:38:16.543Z
I haven't tried it myself, but apparently acrylic paint is a good choice on casting resins.  Now we know what the model is made of, someone who knows more may be able to help.  Something occurred to me - does your resin actually float? Many are denser than water and will sink.  Of course a hollow model would be fine, if completely sealed.
Chris H
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-01-11T21:42:05.853Z
it is a hollow model, but I did not try yet, I only tried a plastic one and it floats, thank you for your input.
Your Dearest Fan
<paint><watercolor>
Does water colour paint on miniatures wash out a when it is freely moving inside water or oil?
Your Dearest Fan
# Does water colour paint on miniatures wash out a when it is freely moving inside water or oil?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-01-10)

I am making a small paperweight liquid toy, and I have no idea which type of paint to use to paint the buoyant object inside in order for it to not lose its colours while moving inside.

This is an example:

[![toy boat](https://i.sstatic.net/3REyx.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/3REyx.jpg)

If I use water based paint on the boat object (the same paint that is used to paint on paper), would it fade away or wash out because it is moving inside the oil and water?

**Tags:** paint, watercolor

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: What's the model made of? That will affect what paint to use.  But watercolours won't be a good choice (acrylics *might* be, and are water-based)  
> **username_0**: I am thinking about using Casting Resin, does it adhere well? and will it fade away with time and friction inside the oil/water and the borders?  
> **username_1**: I haven't tried it myself, but apparently acrylic paint is a good choice on casting resins.  Now we know what the model is made of, someone who knows more may be able to help.  Something occurred to me - does username_0 resin actually float? Many are denser than water and will sink.  Of course a hollow model would be fine, if completely sealed.  
> **username_0**: it is a hollow model, but I did not try yet, I only tried a plastic one and it floats, thank you for username_0 input.  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2022-03-20. Score: 3

Water and oil are both problem liquids. Water-based finishes (not water colors, which are inherently unsuitable, but acrylics, for example), improve their water resistance as they dry and cure, but they can often degrade if submerged in water for a very long time. Oil can affect the adhesion of the paint, and can break down some finishes over very long exposure. The model repeatedly moving through the liquid would also help to strip off any degraded finish.

The image used in the example looks like the colors are in layers. If that will mostly be the case, you could cast the model in layers using colored resin, which would avoid the problems of adding a finish.

If there are areas that don't lend themselves to that, you could paint those with colored resin of the same type, or another resin or adhesive designed to bond with it (you can add colorants to resins and adhesives). Use a material that integrates with the model, or forms a bond as strong as the resin, itself.

Using the same resin is ideal; otherwise, think in terms of materials that will weld themselves to the surface and can be made the color you want, rather than looking at paint or finishes designed to be added decoration. For example, there are some epoxies that are formulated to form a really strong bond with many plastic resins.

Use proper surface preparation. It can also help to include shallow recesses in the mold for the "paint" spots so that the paint spot doesn't have a raised edge.


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2022-02-18. Score: 0

Water colours will certainly wash off, if you are able to apply them in the first place.

As suggested in the comments, acrylics might work, but that likely depends on the bond with the substrate. You can ground the plastic, and/or roughen it up slightly with some sandpaper. Acrylics will need a coating or sealer to make it waterproof.


---

### Answer by username_4 on 2022-02-17. Score: 0

Acrylics should do the trick and you can seal it with a polyurethane varnish to help protect the colors from wearing away - it also gives a lovely glossy finish.

Look up tutorials on painting and sealing polymer clay, they should give you more in depth info if you need.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Hi username_4, it's usually good advice to look up tutorials online, but on this platform we like to have isolated answers, independent of external resources. If you have found tutorials online that really suit the situation, you can of course link to them as additional information, but it's usually good to then comment on why you think it is appropriate. Please take our [Tour] to familiarize yourself some more with our platform. Welcome to Arts & Crafts!  

---

