Painting Acrylic on Nylon Ripstop

By John Pollack
Painting on kites isn’t a replacement for applique, nor is
it something new. Kitemakers have been painting on kites
for hundreds of years, but painting on nylon has presented
problems. What makes painting on nylon in this way special
is its lasting quality. A few years ago, I was seeking a method
of painting on kite material would result in a more permanent
kite then one made from painted paper. After several trials and
errors, I came on this method that allows the acrylic paint to
adhere and remain flexible on the fabric. I have since found
that I am not the only artist/ kitemaker that has been using this
method, but it has made a big difference in the appearance of
my kites.
The product that has made the difference is GAC 900, an
acrylic medium made by Golden Acrylics. GAC 900 is made to
produce fabric paints from acrylic paints. When this product is
added to acrylic paint in a 50/ 50 ratio and heat set when dry,
the paint remains flexible.

Be sure that the fabric is two inches wider in both directions

than the stretcher bars described below.
The GAC 900 works with any brand of acrylic, but I do advise
the use of quality brands. Recently I have been using Golden
fluid acrylics and have liked the results. I suggest Golden
Acrylics, Liquitex Artist Color, M. Graham and Co., Winsor and
Newton or Grumbacher.
I have been using this method of painting on nylon for about
I recommend selecting colors that are the most transparent;
three years, and it has allowed me to create images on kites
the colors will glow when light is coming through it from the
that are paintings. I can change the value of a color within an
back. Opaque colors will lose their intensity, as not as much
area or even change the color itself. I can create the illusion of
light will shine through them. Most paint brands will have
form and contrast. If I use the right colors and paint them in the
information on the transparency of their colors.
right order, I can even create and image that is translucent and
glows whether the sun is striking it from the front or the back. Colors I suggest include Cadmium Yellow Light, Hansa Yellow,
Magenta, Quinacridone Crimson, Alizarin Crimson, Phthalo
Supplies Blue, Prussian Blue and Dioxazine Purple.
I prefer to paint on three quarter ounce ripstop fabric but In addition to GAC 900, the other paint additive you’ll need
on larger kites I have used one-and-a-half-ounce white ripstop is a clear polymer medium varnish (matte or gloss) to make the
nylon. I have not experimented with specific brands of fabric. colors more transparent and as a final varnish.
 the transfer, simply lay the white fabric outside edges of the frame. Do this by
Other necessary materials over the image, tape in place to avoid tacking the center of one side, then move
or equipment: movement and draw the image onto to the center of the opposite side, then
the fabric using a fine point permanent one of the remaining sides and then its
Artist canvas stretcher frames - four
marker. The marker lines will remain opposite side. Continue by tacking about
are needed (two of each length) to make
when completing the preparation of the every four to six inches from the center to
a rectangular frame (available at art
fabric. the corners and by moving from one side
supply stores)
to the opposite side as described with
Acrylic paint brushes, your choice of
size Preparation of Fabric the first tacking. As this is done the fabric
should be pulled snug but not tight. The
Palette or small plastic plates for paint Method One: Wash the fabric using a fabric will shrink as it dries. Be careful not
mixing strong detergent like Oxyclean or other to stretch it too tight as some fabrics do
Palette knife or plastic spoon for grease-removing agents. Run the fabric stretch and shrink quite a bit.
stirring paint through four to six wash cycles before
Containers for water- plastic cups, etc. letting the machine run through the rinse The first coat of paint is going to
Paper towels cycle. I suggest that the fabric be run partially penetrate the surface of the
Hair dryer and extension cord through the rinse cycle at least two times fabric. Stretching the fabric on a frame
Iron and ironing board to remove the soap. This will remove as described above will result in fewer
Staple gun or tacks not only any oils but also some of the problems. If using method one of
coating on the fabric. The advantage of preparing the fabric, the fabric may be
stretched right after washing. If using
Creating Your Image this method is that the pores of the fabric
method two, get the fabric wet and wring
have been opened and the first coating of
One of the beauties of painting on a paint will permeate the fabric and create it out with your hands.
kite is that one is not limited by the type better adhesion. The disadvantage of If the fabric is not going to be stretched
of image that can be created. One can this method is that the fabric will slightly on a frame, the working surface must be
make an image that is nothing but shapes shrink and pucker. prepared for a mess. As stated above,
and colors, one that is an abstracted
Method Two: In a well-ventilated area, the first coat of paint is going to partially
form, one that is expressionistic, or one
scrub the surface of the fabric using penetrate the fabric. This can result in
that is more representational or realistic.
denatured alcohol. Allow this to dry. paint going onto the surface under the
Remember that the kite will be flying 100
The advantage of this method is that fabric. Having the fabric on a glass surface
to 300 feet away from you. Don’ t get
carried away with small objects or too the fabric does not shrink and retains its
much detail. smooth flat surface. The disadvantage
of this method is that the paint does not
Think about composition when creating penetrate the surface of the material
the image. Make sure that your image has as much, and you must have a well-
Unity, Dominance, Balance, Movement ventilated area to use the alcohol.
and Contrast. When painting the image
be sure that you pay attention to color Stretching of Fabric
harmony and value.
Assemble the stretcher frames to make
Draw your image actual size on paper a rectangle frame and make sure that
and make corrections and additions as the corners are square. Lay the slightly
the image develops. After the image is damp fabric on a stretcher bar frame and
completed transfer it to the fabric. To do start stapling or tacking the fabric to the
makes clean-up easier. Drying time is also and look at the image from a distance. 50 degrees as the painted surface would
longer if the fabric is resting on a surface. Does the image stand out? If not, try become more brittle. I recommend that
increasing the contrast. the painted surface only be used on a kite
Painting Suggestions that can be carefully rolled. A wrinkled-
Final Coating up skin when the kite is stored may result
The first coat of paint will penetrate in damage to the image.
the surface. If a more precise painted When the image has been completed,
look is desired, or if there are problems in you may want to give the fabric a final
the colors bleeding, coat the fabric with protective coating of a 50/50 mixture
a 50/50 mixture of GAC 900 and Clear of GAC 900 and Clear Polymer Medium/
Polymer Medium and allow it to dry. Varnish and allow it to dry.
This will seal the surface of the fabric.
Colors may be thinned and made more This will add more weight to the kite
transparent either by adding a little water skin, and you may want to do this only if
or by adding a 50/ 50 mixture of GAC 900 the painted areas are very thin. Use only
and Clear Polymer Medium. Each will Polymer Varnishes for the final coating.
have its own look. The water results in Some other varnishes made for acrylic
the paint developing spots of color. The paints appear to be less flexible and more
polymer medium results in a smoother brittle.
gradation of color.
Heat Setting
Be sure to keep your layers of paint
thin. Thick paint on the surface of the I recommend the use the heat setting
fabric would be less flexible and could processes described in the Golden
crack or peel. Use paints thinly like would Acrylic information, available at www.
be done with watercolors. The white of goldenpaints.com. They advise using
the fabric, like in watercolor, is the white one of the heat setting methods if the
fabric is to be washed. Although it might
be unusual to wash a kite, a kite does go
through a lot of abuse. I use a hot iron
with a Teflon pad and iron directly on the
back of the painted fabric. One should be
aware of any hazards that could result
in putting heat to this painted nylon
surface. An iron that is too hot may melt
the fabric.
Golden Acrylics advises that the heat
setting process will release low levels of
formaldehyde; therefore, it is imperative
that adequate ventilation be provided.
You can also use a household clothes
dryer, set on high, for 40-50 minutes.

After Painting
The surface of the paint does remain
somewhat tacky even when dry and
used to make tints of the color. To make wants to adhere to the table surface
a color lighter, paint it on thinner. Adding when face down during sewing. This is not
white to the paint will result in making it too bad but it does help to hold the fabric
opaquer and the color may get lost when up when it is going through the sewing
the kite is in the air. Paint from light to machine. Sand also wants to stick to the
dark. Painting one color over another will surface of the painting. Carry a large
make the first darker even if the second soft brush when you are at the beach.
color is lighter. Pay attention to contrasts Try to avoid the surface of the painting
as the image is painted. If two connecting scraping against any abrasive surface. A
areas are different in color but the same Golden Acrylics representative advised
in value, the image will get lost. Step back not to fly the kite in temperature below