How to Dye a Wig Using Acrylic Paint

Co-authored by Kyle Hall Reviewed by Jasmin Todd

Last Updated: November 26, 2023 Approved

You can use acrylic paint to dye your light-colored wig without damaging its fibers. A little bit of acrylic mixed with rubbing alcohol makes an effective dye that will leave your wig looking vibrant and new. Use a spray bottle to quickly and easily apply the paint to your wig. Make sure you have a comb on hand to keep your wig from getting tangled!

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Choosing a Wig

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1
Find a light-colored synthetic wig. Acrylic paint won’t show up on wigs that are dark. Go with a wig that’s blonde, white, silver, or pastel. Acrylic paint also won't damage the fibres of a synthetic wig.^{[1]
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- Don’t try bleaching a synthetic wig so you can dye it with paint. Bleaching will destroy the synthetic fibers in the wig.
- Natural hair wigs should be dyed with real hair dye, not acrylic paint.
You don't want to accidentally ruin an expensive wig. If you're set on dyeing an expensive wig, test the dye on the tips of the wig hairs first. If you don't like how it looks, just cut the ends off the wig.^{[2]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Setting Up

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Work outside if possible. If you have to work inside, open any windows in the room and set up a box fan to blow the paint fumes out of the windows.
You can also use newspaper or an old sheet if you don't have a tarp. Center the table or stand you'll be working on over the tarp.
Find a foam head online or at your local beauty supply store. If you can't get a foam head, use something you have around the house, like a paper towel holder or a large mixing bowl flipped upside down. Keep in mind that whatever you use will get paint on it.
If you’re dyeing a long wig with a lot of hair, you may want to use a ½ teaspoon (2.46 mL) of paint. Squeeze the paint directly into the spray bottle, or use a brush to transfer the paint into the bottle.^{[3]
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The more rubbing alcohol you use, the less opaque the color will be on your wig. If you want your wig to have a vibrant, saturated color, use 2 tablespoons (29.57 mL) of rubbing alcohol instead. For a lighter, more translucent color, use 4 tablespoons (59.14 mL).^{[4]
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Keep shaking the bottle vigorously until the paint and rubbing alcohol are completely mixed.^{[5]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Spraying on the Dye

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You'll be using your hands to work the paint into the wig, and acrylic paint can stain skin.^{[6]
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Spray the section of the wig a few times until there’s a good amount of paint on it. The section should be fully saturated with paint.^{[7]
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Make sure you’re getting the paint on the hair underneath and not just on the surface of the wig. Use your fingers to rub the paint into the roots of the hair as well. Spray on more paint as needed until the entire section of hair is covered.^{[8]
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4
Keep applying paint to sections of the wig until the entire wig is covered. Carefully inspect the wig and look for any spots you missed. Double check the roots. Make sure the tips of the wig hairs are all covered with paint.
- Flip the wig upside down so it’s easier to check the hairs underneath.
- Use an old comb to comb the paint through the wig hairs to help cover any spots you missed.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Finishing Your Wig

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A lot of paint will drip off the wig while it’s drying, so make sure you leave it over a tarp. Check back on your wig after 1 hour. Run your fingers through it; if the paint comes off on them, let it dry for another hour.^{[9]
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Rinse your wig under cold water. Don’t worry if you see paint washing out, that’s normal. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear.^{[10]
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- Make sure you take the time to rinse out all the extra paint from your wig. You don’t want paint getting on your face or clothes when you wear it!
Flip the wig over halfway through the drying process to air out the other side.^{[11]
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Put the wig on a foam head if you have one so it's easier to brush out. Gently run a brush or comb from the roots of your wig to the tips. When you’re finished, your wig should be knot and tangle-free. Now your wig is ready to wear!^{[12]
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Community Q&A

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Question

I have a black wig and I want to dye it white. Is it possible to do this method using white acrylic paint to dye my black wig?

Community Answer

No. You'll end up with a gross gray colored wig. You might have some success if you dye it over and over again, but your best bet is to just buy a white wig.

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Question

Will the acrylic paint wash out and does it come in a lot of colors?

Community Answer

Yes. acrylic paint can be washed out with some effort, and it comes in a variety of colors.

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Will this method also work for glow-in-the-dark paint?

Community Answer

Yes.

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