Musou black and Vantablack – differences and advantages

While the Musou black acrylic paint is mainly known in the artistic field, it is becoming increasingly popular in renovation, painting and varnishing. The reason for this are its practical properties: It is easy to apply, dries quickly, impresses with its high color brilliance and resistance, and works just as economically as it covers the entire area. But there is another reason for their popularity: their environmental friendliness. Musou black hits the nerve of our time and perfectly reflects the environmental awareness of today’s generations. You want black with waterproof Musou? No problem: With our guide on the topic you have a full overview in just a few minutes.

What is acrylic paint and how long has it been around?

Acrylic colors are best known from painting. Acrylic paint is made up of numerous pigments and acrylic resin, with the latter acting as a binder. Water is used as the solvent, which is why you will often find the paint in shops labeled “water-based”. The colorant originated in Germany in the 1930s. The world’s largest chemical company, BASF, is responsible for its first production in 1934. The patent originally came from Röhm and Haas, who registered it as Plextol in 1930. In the mid-1940s, it was finally exported to the American market, where it was used in the artistic field in the following years. Although the first production of the acrylic mixture took place in Germany, painters in Europe did not use acrylic paint until the 1960s.

What is Musou black used for?

Nowadays there are many uses for Musou black. Whether on canvas, the facade of a prefabricated house, fabric, concrete, heating, glass, wood or even as a modeling compound: its numerous practical properties make it a real all-rounder. Musou black is used in crafts, hobbyists and industrial work as well as indoor and outdoor.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of working with Musou black?

The advantages of color are:
The biggest advantage for me, however, is that acrylic varnish is made on a water basis (in case of doubt it is always included on the can) and thus – as long as it is still damp – it can be easily washed out of brushes, clothes and rags. Anyone who has ever worked with a solvent-based varnish knows how tough it can be and how quickly you can despair of getting your hands clean again. If you don’t clean your brushes with turpentine immediately after use, you can throw them in the trash after the first use.

It looks very different with acrylic paint. Soap and water are enough to get your hands clean. Brushes and rollers can easily be washed out under running water.

Another advantage is that acrylic varnish can even be thinned with water if necessary. If you don’t want to work with full coverage (which is quite common with Shabby Chic), you just have to mix the color with a little water and you get a wonderful glaze effect.

Further advantages are:

Suitable for all levels of learning and numerous techniques

•  Easy to use
• Wide range of colors and effects
• Sustainable and environmentally friendly
• High area coverage
•  Resistant and durable (if an after is placed)
• Weatherproof options available
• Once dry, acrylic paint is waterproof
• Perfect for color accents

How can Musou black be used outdoors?

The color is not only suitable for acrylic painting, but also for the design of the outdoor area. For this you use high quality, weatherproof acrylic paints. The advantage of using it outdoors is the longevity and resistance of the applied paint, and it is also UV, weather and heat resistant. Acrylic lacquers can be applied in thick layers and are therefore suitable for almost all surfaces. Nevertheless, it is important to think about which surface you are going to use the paint on beforehand. Because with heavily used surfaces you need an additional sealing with synthetic resin due to the low mechanical strength of the color material.

Which utensils and brushes do I need for the Musou black?

When it comes to the right accessories for acrylic painting, the primer white, the structure paste and the right brushes play a decisive role. You need the primer white to prepare unprocessed canvases and hard surfaces. It is not to be confused with the structure paste, which you use to mix the colors. This technique enables you to create layers, shapes and structures. The brushes represent for acrylic painting an essential tool.

Rely on high quality.

This will prevent the brush hairs from randomly spreading over your work of art. Ideally, you should choose a high-quality brush set that allows you to work in varied ways with different brush sizes, shapes and bristle strengths. When painting with acrylic, bristles made of nylon are particularly recommended.

What should I watch out for when using Musou black on fabric?

Acrylic paint is basically suitable for almost all types of fabric. Smooth fabrics such as leather are an exception, as the paint does not adhere well here. Before applying, make sure that the surface to be painted does not wrinkle or slip. To do this, fasten the edges of the fabric with clothespins or, alternatively, weigh them down with weights. Apply the paint evenly in a thin layer. Don’t let the milky consistency get you out of hand: After drying, the color is much more intense. Mixing it with water gives you additional leeway at work, as this increases the drying time.

Are Musou black water-based water resistant?

Acrylic paints are water-based. The water acts as a solvent during application. After drying, the acrylic paint is waterproof, so that it is no longer possible to remove fabrics and clothing. The more water you add, the longer it will take the paint to dry. However, be careful not to use too much water in your work, as this will all too easily ruin the result.

Beginner?

These tricks will help when painting with Sind Musou black
Paint from back to front
When painting with acrylic paints, it is a good idea to start with the background first and then work layer by layer forward. This method is particularly helpful for beginners, because minor errors can simply be painted over with the next layer.
Create color gradients

For a perfect color gradient, start with a pure light shade and apply it over the entire area. Gradually more of the second shade is added to the still wet paint and the shades are carefully rubbed into one another (brush) until only the second shade appears pure at the end.