How do I seal acrylic so it doesn't fade or chip in the wash?

[koolaidria]

I'm making a dress for my 20th birthday, and I have a number of issues (so if you want to help follow the link at the bottom), but here's what I need from you guys.

I wrote in Clothing board:

"2. If I'm keeping this, how do I treat it so I can wash it and wear it again? I need at LEAST 3 wears out of this. I'm using acrylic, and a bit of black sharpie to fix where my black outline stinks. I may go get a black paint pen, not sure... What can I do to prevent fading and flaking? Should I take this particular issue to the image reproduction board?"




I was told by one person it should be fine to just put in the wash and nothing shoud flake or fade at all, but she's from the sewing board. I want to check with you guys. Yall paint on fabric all the time! And I know this isn't stenciling or 'image reproduction' but I thought of all the boards this was the best one to help me out.

***

Post in Clothing board with other issues:
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=359189.0;topicseen

[kimbleshi]

The sharpie should stay quite well but the acrylic will flake off! (It definitely did on my trousers and t-shirts).
Not sure how to stop that from happening I'm afraid

[Selnith]

i found that it depends on how thick the paint it, i know there's nothing you can do about that now, if it's thick it'll flake in the wash, if it's very thin then it may survive a gentle wash

[leighi123]

I've had good luck with ironing the heck out of it to 'set' the paint or putting it in the hot dryer.

 I'd also hand wash it.  It will still come off eventually...

[Onyxnox]

I am going to presume that you painted it already :C

If you have not yet, or for the future, you can buy fabric paints which can be heat set for more durability.  OR even better, you can buy a fabric paint medium (Delta, Golden, and other companies make it).  It is a paint additive that is not too expensive that can be added to acrylic paint to turn it into fabric paint, and can also be heat set for more durability for washing.  From when I painted shirts when I was younger, plain acrylic was just a bit too stiff and cracked/flaked with use.

[cityofwolves]

spray over it with clear coat

[Eliea]

I second using fabric medium mixed with acrylic. It works well, washes great and so far hasn't flaked on me.
I paint, let totally dry, and iron on the front, let cool, then turn item inside out and iron the back.
Then when you wash, wash the item inside out, on gentle and dry in the dryer alone on low heat.
Works great for me!