Filtering Acrylic Paint Water

What to do with all that dirty acrylic paint water? If you don't feel comfortable pouring it down the sink, this video shows shares a simple method to filter the acrylic paint particles from your water. Join Artwork Artplay on Facebook, to discover posts and tips on tools, techniques, and mindset to keep your art practice going.

[@raerae6422]

I use an old bed sheet doubled over to filter the floculated paint water. Water comes out perfectly clear. I let the collected paint dry outside, then put it in the bin. It is completely inert then.
The sheet can be reused again and again. No need to wash it either.

[@nitebreak]

super smart, i just bought some “nylon mesh paint strainers” that are disposable and i’m hoping they will work. They haven’t arrived yet, but if they don’t i’m gonna use your method because this videos method is great but I don’t have the space to do it.

[@herbalstudio]

Thank you Alison! You’ve demonstrated and explained the process so clearly and made it simple and easy to follow. It’s so important to consider what happens to the water we use and I hope more people will be encouraged to incorporate responsible methods such as this into their practice.

[@alisonlyons4691]

Gosh this is so helpful Alison. I often feel uncomfortable pouring my water down the drain. I've not seen or heard any other artist address this problem. Thank you......Alioban

[@cydsnest]

WOW! Genius! Thank you so much for sharing this!

[@SusanMJB45]

Thank you !!! That is very helpful.... I need to try it !!!

[@bonniemeads6056]

There is so much product and waste to dispose of. Plus, the effort to do it. And storage. I plan to paint more and need to find appropriate ways of discarding. May try kitty litter first. Thanks for your video.

[@raerae6422]

Its surprisingly easy and fun. No effort at all. Its also kinda magical watching the flocculation occur.
The kitty litter would definitely be more effort.

[@nitebreak]

I’m gonna try using mesh paint filters to see if they work

[@gailk3136]

This is great!! I did have a lot of trouble hearing you

[@Maria-ut8gm]

I’ve read that you can use cat litter which soaks up the water and leaves behind the paint particles. Which you can throw into the trash. Have you tried this. 🤗

[@alisonwatt8570]

I haven't tried that--thanks for the tip!

[@judehayashi5892]

Thank you!!

[@susanstern6303]

Thank you for addressing this. What about for small quantities and washing out brushes. ?

[@alisonwatt8570]

try to get most of the paint off with paper towels, then just pour the small amount of paint water in the bigger bucket, to wait until you have enough to process

[@susanstern6303]

Tx. Did you consider my request for zoom consultations/ lessons?

[@susanstern6303]

Oh. Oooo. I bought lye not lime! Any chance it’s a good substitute! ?

[@alisonwatt8570]

@@susanstern6303 I answered you under another comment you left--did you find it?

[@alisonwatt8570]

@@susanstern6303 It's a different chemical--I'm not sure it would work

[@julieclark6859]

Thanks for this!! I'm going to try it today.

[@leticiacampos1044]

This is great, since the amount of water I use makes me uncomfortable. Would you say it's reusable in the studio? Or would that destabilise the paint? I mostly use acrylics, gouache and watercolour.

[@alisonwatt8570]

I think you could definitely reuse the water. You might want to test it for PH (7.0 is neutral) Should be good.

[@leticiacampos1044]

@@alisonwatt8570 thank you!🖤🖤🖤

[@micheleholdenart]

This is really interesting. Do you reuse the water?

[@alisonwatt8570]

I pour the water on my garden

[@elizabethmillet2451]

Hi thanks for this it’s really useful. I know you said 1/4 cup of each chemical but how many litres/ pints of water would you say your bucket holds?

[@alisonwatt8570]

probably about 10-15 litres

[@elizabethmillet2451]

@@alisonwatt8570 Thank you, I’m going to give it a go

[@Roisin183]

Kia Ora Thank you Alison does it matter if there is soap in the dirty water?

[@alisonwatt8570]

no- soap is pretty harmless. I pour the water on my garden. I don't think a small amount of soap hurts the plants.

[@helenakozlakowski4990]

Hi!! Thanks for the video! I don't see many people addressing this problem... What do you do with the particles? You throw in the trash? Do you use soap in the process of cleaning your brushes? If the water has coconut soap in it, does it change anything in the process? Thanks

[@alisonwatt8570]

I put the solids in the garbage, which then go to a landfill. Not a perfect solution, but hopefully keeps the acrylic particles out of the water system. I don't think coconut soap would change the reaction.

[@12799MaDeuce]

How was this filmed in 2021 but people still don't know how to film horizontally

[@nitebreak]

don’t be mean