How to Dye a Wig Using Acrylic Paint

Choosing a Wig

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. 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.

Use a cheap wig if it's your first time dyeing with 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.

Setting Up

Work in a well-ventilated area. 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.

Lay down a tarp so paint doesn’t get on the floor. 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.

Place a foam head on your work table. 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.

Add a ¼ teaspoon (1.23 mL) of acrylic paint to a small spray bottle. 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.

Pour 3 tablespoons (44.36 mL) of rubbing alcohol into the spray bottle. 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).

Put the top on the spray bottle and shake the bottle to mix up the dye. Keep shaking the bottle vigorously until the paint and rubbing alcohol are completely mixed.

Spraying on the Dye

Put on latex gloves so you don’t get paint on your hands. You'll be using your hands to work the paint into the wig, and acrylic paint can stain skin.

Spray paint onto a section of the wig, holding the bottle 6 inches (15.24 cm) away. 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.

Use your fingers to comb the paint through the wig hairs. 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.

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.

Finishing Your Wig

Let your wig air dry for 1-2 hours. 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.

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. 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!

Let the wig dry on a towel for 1-2 hours. Flip the wig over halfway through the drying process to air out the other side.

Brush out the wig. 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!