I've just bought a set of black acrylic templates, on which I've added Citadel paint to the primed custom engravings.

I'm playing around with the idea of also painting the edges. My questions are these:

1. Will a spray varnish stick to a glossy black acrylic surface, and will it still look smooth and even?

2. Would the paint need a primer, and would it even stick?

I hope some of you experts will be able to chip in, as my Google Fu doesn't reveal much on painted smooth acrylics.

Not done that myself (I like the look of acrylics) but I don´t see a reason why not. I would do the following:

1. Sand the edges to help the primer to stick.

2. Mask the flat sides to protect the acrylic look.

3. Prime (with whatever you are using).

4. Paint with your favourite paint.

5. Varnish with a ridiculous amount of clear coat spray. I would go for an automotive store to find some real protective thing.

6. Remove masking to reveal your nice black and shiny acrylic.

That would be probably be quite time consuming process, but most likely worth it. Try to find some advice how hockey goalie masks (ice hockey that is) are painted and protected, they have elaborate airbrush jobs and take heavy punishment.

Good luck, let us see the results!

Thanks for the answer! You've touched on a possibility, that I hadn't considered: Varnishing only the edges, before removing the film. I will totally do this, if the following doesn't present a problem:

Is there not a chance that the paint might flake, as the paint is effectively bared to the sides, instead of being covered from end to end? (See picture for lack of a better explanation).

Or is this practically a non-issue, when dealing in layers as thin as these?

Probably it will flake a bit easier, but in use they´ll flake anyway. I wouldn´t worry too much, at least it´s easier to repaint.

Hm, yeah that's what I was afraid of. Thanks a lot for the advice

I'll be keeping them as is, and avoid the mess of chipping paint all togther.