Paint question

[Liz]

Wow, I've never posted here before so: Hi!

My son saw one of those rugs with roads and train tracks etc. on it and really liked it. Personally I think they are hideous but I can see that he would have allot of fun with it as he's a confirmed truck/tractor/train guy. So I was thinking about how I could make one that we both would love. At first I thought of painting on vinyl flooring but that wouldn't roll up and store very well as it would always be curled, ya know? So then I think, what about those rush mats they sell in Chinatown?! Great idea!!! Now my question for you craftie people is: what kind of paint do I use? It's got to be tough enough to walk on and flexible enough to not flake off when I roll up the mat. I suppose it could be a dye as long as the colour was fairly vibrant. Any ideas, anyone?

[Throkmorton]

Personally, I would use a slightly watered down acrylic paint, and maybe coat it with a clear coat afterwards to help with the wearing. Have fun!

[AnnaReilly]

I agree - acryllics are the way to go.

If you're going to paint on the grass mats, I would do a coat of acryllic sealer to keep your paint from bleeding, then acryllic craft paint and then a clear coat.

Another idea I have for a base material is canvas. It's not too expensive to get a couple yards at the fabric store. Then I would do a coat of gesso wherever you'll be applying paint (again to stop bleeding) then the acryllic paint and clear coat.

[MamaMonica]

I second the canvas- with gesso first you can put acrylic on there very nicely.

[Liz]

I think the rush matting will lie flatter than canvas, it's stiffer. And it rolls up nicely into a tube, whereas canvas would get scrunched easily then would be even less flat when you roll it out again. I'll give it a try next week and let you know!

Thanks, Liz