Flex Seal is one of the convenient liquid rubber sealants. You can use this sealant on almost all types of surfaces.
For example, you can seal wood, metal, ceramic, concrete, cement, plastic, glass, etc., surfaces. But the flex seal might not match the color and texture of all surfaces.
That’s why many people want to paint over the flex seal. So, you might be confused about whether you can paint over flex seal or not.
Well, you have to know whether paint can stick to the flex seal or not. Moreover, knowing about the consequences, safety, and durability of paint over flex seal is essential.
Can you paint over the flex seal?
You can paint over the flex seal. But flex seals have different types. You can’t paint over all types of flex seals. Flex Seal Spray, Flex Seal Glue, Flex Tape, etc., can be painted over. But you can’t paint over Flex Seal Shot and Liquid Flex Seal. All flex sealants are not compatible with paint.
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However, flex seals can be of many types. People use different types of flex seals because of their versatility.
But each type of flex seal has different compatibilities with paints. So, you have to know which flex seal you can paint over and which you can’t. Let’s talk about some types of flex seals.
Flex seal liquid rubber:
You can’t paint over flex seal liquid rubber. Because flex seal liquid rubber is not compatible with paint. Moreover, when you paint over it, the paint will not stick to the surface well. The paint will not be durable. So, you should not paint over flex seal liquid rubber.
Flex seal caulk:
You can paint over the flex seal caulk. Because the flex seal is suitable to be painted over. When you apply flex seal caulk over a surface, you can’t paint over it immediately.
You have to wait to allow the caulk to cure completely. Otherwise, the paint will not stick to the surface. So, you can paint over the cured flex seal caulk.
Flex seal paste/Flex seal putty:
You can also paint over flex seal paste or putty. Because this type of flex seal is suitable for painting. But you have to make sure that the flex seal is cured completely. Otherwise, the paint will not adhere to the surface.
Flex seal tape:
Flex seal tape is also suitable for painting. Flex seal tape dries quickly. So, the paint will not be greasy over the flex seal. Moreover, the flex seal tape can hold up paint when the seal is cured.
All products of flex seal are not paintable. For flex seal tape is paintable because it can penetrate moisture. So, when you apply paint over the seal, it will absorb paint and make the paint durable.
Flex seal clear spray:
You can paint over the flex seal with clear spray. Because the paint dries fast. So, the cured surface becomes suitable to be painted over. Moreover, almost all types of paints are compatible with the flex seal clear spray.
Moreover, if you want to add colors to the clear spray, you can add colors. So, Flex Seal Clear Spray is pretty convenient and versatile.
White flex seal:
You can also paint over the white flex seal. Though all flex products are not paintable, the white flex seal is suitable for painting. Moreover, you can also add color to the white flex seal and make it decorative.
Can you paint over flex seal after it dries? How long before you can paint over FLEX Seal?
Yes, you can paint over the flex seal after it dries. You should not apply paint over the flex seal immediately after applying the flex seal. Because if you don’t let the flex seal dry, then paint over it will be greasy.
After a couple of days, the paint will chip off the surface. So, you have to let the flex seal cure fully. Then you can paint over the flex seal. But make sure that the flex seal is not a flex seal shot or liquid flex seal. Because these two types of flex seals are not suitable to be painted.
You have to wait at least 24 hours to let the flex seal cure. Generally, 24 to 48 hours are needed to cure the flex seal. If you are in a hurry, you can apply paint after 24 hours.
But if you don’t allow enough time to cure the seal, the paint will not stick well to the surface. Moreover, the paint will become flaky and the durability will be reduced.
Why can’t you paint over some flex seal products?
All flex seal products are not paintable. For example, you should not paint over liquid flex seal and flex seat shot. Now that you know you can’t paint over some flex seal product, you might want to know the reasons. Let’s see why you can’t use paint over some flex seal products.
Paint repellent:
Some flex seal products are not paintable. Because these products are paint repellent. If you paint over these seal products, the paint will not adhere to the surface.
Moreover, flex seal liquid and flex seal shot have thick layers. These thick layers repel paint while allowing it to adhere to the surface.
Silicone-based product:
Some flex seal products are silicone-based. Generally, these silicone-based products are made of silicone so that the sealant can create a bond with other surfaces. But silicone-based products are not compatible with paint.
So, if you paint over these products, the paint will not be durable. So, you can’t paint over some flex seal products.
Greasy paint:
Flex seal liquid and shot are generally liquid-based sealants. These sealants take time to cure. Moreover, if you paint over these flex seals, the paint will not stick well. The painted surface will be greasy.
Moreover, the paint will not dry well on these surfaces. After some days, the paint might chip off. So, you can’t paint all the flex seal products.
Moisture-proof products:
Some flex seal products are water and moisture-proof. So, these flex seals don’t let any ingredient penetrate through them. When you apply paint over these seals, the paint will not penetrate through the paint.
So, since the flex seals don’t absorb the paint, the paint will not stick to the surface.
What kind of paint do you use on FLEX Seal? What will adhere to FLEX Seal?
You can paint most of the paints on the flex seal if the flex seal is suitable to paint. But all types of paint will not adhere to the flex seal. So, let’s see what kind of paint will adhere to the flex seal.
Urethane:
If you want to paint over a flex seal, urethane is one of the best. Urethane paint will dry quickly on the sealant. Moreover, the urethane will stick to the surface because urethane is compatible with most surfaces. So, you can use urethane paint on the flex seal.
Acrylic:
Acrylic is another suitable paint for flex seal. Generally, acrylic is compatible with most surfaces. When you apply acrylic paint over a flex seal, the paint will stick to the seal. So, acrylic is a good choice for painting the flex seal.
Acrylic latex:
Acrylic latex is another versatile paint that will adhere to a flex seal. Moreover, this paint has a vast number of colors and textures. So, you can choose according to your choice. Besides, acrylic latex is compatible with flex seals.
How to paint over flex seal?
Some products of flex seals are not suitable for painting. So, whenever you want to paint over the flex seal, you have to do it properly. So, let’s see how you can paint over the flex seal properly.
- You have to clean the flex seal surface first to remove dirt, dust, grease, and residue.
- Use soapy water to clean the surface and a damp cloth to remove it.
- Using fine-grit sandpaper, sand the flex seal surface.
- Finally, wipe away the sandpaper dust from the surface.
- Use a primer that is appropriate for the paint you intend to use.
- If you want good adhesion, apply two coats of primer.
- Apply the paint over the flex seal.
- You can also seal the paint to increase its durability.
Final Thoughts
You can paint over the flex seal if it is suitable. Sometimes, flex seals are not suitable for painting. For example, flex seal shot and flex seal liquid are not compatible with paint. But you can paint over the other flex seals like flex seal paste, flex seal spray, flex seal clear spray, etc.