WHAT YOU WILL NEED
• A rock(s)
• Small Paint Brushes OR Paint Pens
• Base Coat (Primer) (Acrylic or Latex Paint)
• Acrylic Craft Paints
• A sealant (spray on Acrylic Outdoor Sealant or a brush on sealant)
• An old container/glass/mug for paint water (fill half way with water)
• Newspaper or a drop cloth to protect your work area
• Apron or clothing you don't mind getting paint on
• Paper towels or Baby wipes
• Q-tips (optional) (to quickly correct mistakes/accidents while painting)
• Hair dry (optional) (for quickly drying paint)
STEP ONE: PICK & WASH
Pick a rock that you want to paint. Try to find one that is smooth and has a flat or flatter surface. If it has a lot of pits in the rock it will be more difficult to paint.
Wash the entire rock in warm soapy water. Rinse well and let it completely dry before painting.
STEP TWO: SET UP
Prep your work area. Lay down newspaper or a drop cloth to protect your work space. Get your supplies set up. Paint, brushes, water cup, rocks, etc. Make sure to have paper towels, baby wipes and q-tips on hand for quick clean up.
STEP THREE: BASE COAT YOUR ROCK
It is good to base coat your rocks so that the paint will show up better. You can base coat (prime) your rocks with white acrylic paint. You can also use White Gesso if you have some on hand. Gesso has a built-in primer that is great for priming rocks. However, Gesso is a bit more pricy than regular acrylic paint. So, whatever you like to use. Some people use white chalk paint and others even white house paint from the paint store.
Apply one coat to the side of the rock you want to paint. You can apply a second coat after it dries if it is needed. You can also base coat the entire rock if you plan on painting both sides. Be sure to let each side thoroughly dry before flipping over. Hair dryers work great for quickly drying the paint.
STEP FOUR: PAINT YOUR ROCK (THE FUN PART)
Once your rock's base coat is completely dry, you are ready to paint! Get creative and fun. Paint the design(s) you picked out or just make up a design as you paint. Looking at pictures of what you want to paint can help guide you in your creative journey. If you make a mistake use a damp q-tip to quickly remove the paint. If you are truly unhappy with your design, you can wash off all the paint and start over. OR just base-coat the rock again and start over.
Be sure to wash out all your brushes in warm soapy water as soon as you finish your painting session.
STEP FIVE: SEALING YOUR ROCK
After you are finished painting your rock, let it dry completely. I usually let them dry overnight or a day or so. Now it's time to seal your rock(s).
Find a safe spot to seal your rocks. Safe from children, animals and rain. Lay down protective newspaper/ cloth/ garbage bag.
SPRAY ON:
If you are using a spray on sealant, you should do it outdoors or in a well-ventilated area such as a garage. Follow the directions on the can as it depends on which brand/type of sealant you are using. Spray on your first coat very lightly about 14 inches away from your rocks. Allow the first coat to dry completely before applying the second coat. Also, if spraying outdoors, do not spray or leave your rocks in the direct sun. A shaded spot is best. After your first coat is completely dry, apply your second coat. Two coats are generally ample. However, you can do three coats is you want extra protection.
BRUSH ON:
I prefer the brush on sealants because I don't like the fumes of spray paint. When using a brush on indoors, it is recommended to use in a well-ventilated area. I use Behr Wetlook Sealer from Home Depot. I apply two coats to my rocks. I generally allow 2-3 hours of dry time between coats. I use a box fan to help speed the drying and to ensure they are completely dry before adding a second coat. Be sure to read and follow the instruction on the back of the type of sealant you choose to use. Application and drying times will vary from product to product.
Simply brush on a thin layer of the sealant using a paint brush or a foam brush. I use foam brushes as they are inexpensive and apply a nice coat without brush marks. Allow the rock to dry completely. Then apply the second coat and allow it to completely dry before handling.
Be sure to wash out your brush/foam brush with warm soapy water immediately after use or it will ruin the brush.
STEP SIX: ENJOY YOUR ROCK
Once your rock(s) have been sealed and are completely dry, you can now handle them. Go out and hide your rock to brighten someone's day, gift it to someone special or keep it and enjoy!
For more info on sealants click here
For more info on types of supplies click here
For info on how to make your own rocks to paint click here
HAPPY ROCKING!
