Is Water-based Paint Wooden Toys Safe to Kids?

Kids are known for exploring their world using their mouths rather than their hands, and parents often find themselves concerned about safety. It’s easy to identify any loose parts or obvious choking hazards, but knowing whether paints and dyes are safe is another matter entirely.

Therefore, many parents may ask, is my wooden toy with paint safe for my baby?

The answer is yes! Let me explain to you point by point.China now is the largest manufacturer of toys, more than half of the world’s wooden toys are made in China. Since düfa paint was firstly introduced to China since year 1996, after that water-based paint is then widely applied in the wooden products,

including our wooden toys.

Firstly, What Is Water-Based Paint?

Simply put, water-based paint uses water instead of oil to carry the pigment and binders of the paint. The strong fumes associated with painting is often a leftover memory of oil-based paint, not water-based. Water-based paint does not require turpentine or mineral spirits for clean-up; it washes away easily with soap and water. However, it still offers a durable, lasting finish for both interior and exterior surfaces that can be cleaned if needed.

 Water-based paints contain acrylic and/or vinyl. The terms acrylic and latex are applied to water-based paints used for home painting, but both contain acrylic as a bonder. Some lower quality paints use more vinyl instead of acrylic resin. This can reduce durability and quality compared to 100% acrylic water-based paints.

 

Benefits of Water-Based Paints

When latex was invented in the 1940s, it changed the paint industry. Latex polymers offered a higher quality paint with more durability, giving oil-based paints a run for their money. The technology improved over the years, creating higher levels of reliability with water-based paints and simplicity of use that DIY homeowners and professional painters enjoyed. Some of the benefits of the water-based paints available now include:

• Eco-friendly and easy clean-up. In comparison to oil-based paints, water-based paints are much more eco-friendly. The main carrier is water, which does not require chemicals for removal from brushes, skin, and surfaces.
• Durable surface. While not as durable as oil, water-based paints have drastically improved. Higher quality 100% acrylic paints can last ten years or longer for exterior painting projects.
• Crack and yellow-resistant. Water-based paints do not yellow or crack like oil-based options since there is more flexibility in the paint.
• Stain and mildew resistant. Latex paints are great for interiors. They can be scrubbed and cleaned, resisting stains that can affect other types of paint and they resist mildew growth.
• No fumes. There is no need for a gas-mask when the paint is water-based. There are no fumes like you will find in oil-based paints used in the automobile industry.
• Dries quickly. Most water-based paints dry in less than six hours, making it possible to do two coats in one day.
• Adheres to most surfaces. Wood, cement, brick, galvanized metal and vinyl surfaces all are compatible with water-based paints.

Secondly, How We Paint Wooden Toys in Production?

The painting on the wooden toys are quite different, some only have single color, some have multiple colors. Here’s how we began doing production painting for our toys. Note that the toy must be assembled AFTER the color is applied, not before:

1. After the toy parts have been thoroughly sanded to 220 grit, be sure they are free of as much sawdust as possible by blowing them off with compressed air and using a stiff brush;
2. Using powdered RIT clothing dye of the desired color, make a HOT solution of the color in a big pot (big enough to hold the toy).
3. Put the wooden toy pieces into the electrical rotating can, of which is filled with mixed paint and small wooden beans(for smoothing the toys), normally it will take 1.5~2 hours to achieve the color you want; for some toy which is not suitable to paint by rotating can, we will use spray painting or hand painting, of which the painting quality is better, and cost also higher than rotating painting. Once the desired color is achieved take the toy part out, we have automatic drying system which will hang all the toys in a pallet about 2 meters high and rotating, it take. If any GLUE assembly is needed, go ahead and do it. Once the glue is dry spray the assembly with a NON-AEROSOL (meaning no spray cans) of a good non-toxic clear coat such as Hydro cote. Here’s a link HYDROCOTE brand Wood Finishes .. Apply one coat, allow to dry, scuff down and apply a second coat. Application is easiest using a touch-up spray gun. Allow to dry again;
4. Complete the toy assembly.
5. Clear coat IS REQUIRED or the color will transfer to everything it touches. Make sure to use a WATER-BASED clear and apply it by spray;
6. Any additional details can be hand-painted, or if you are in large production a silk screen setup with non-toxic paints may be used.

All our wooden toys have passed the chemical testing before delivery to our customers, such as phthalates content,formaldehyde release, cadmium(Cd), Pentachlorophenol(PCP) and TCP, Colorants, etc.

Thirdly, How to Safely Paint Wooden Toys at Home?

One day you may find some old wooden toys at a yard sale or you received some hand-me-down blocks from a friend. For whatever reason, you’ve found yourself wanting to freshen up a wooden toy with a nice, new coat of paint. But is it safe to paint your child’s toys? Especially toys for babies or toddlers that get sucked and chewed on? You’re wise to ask because the answer is sometimes “no.” Today we’re sharing tips for how to safely paint wooden toys.

Before you start the project – 

Check for lead

Examine the toy and try to assess whether the toy is antique (pre-1978)? Being that the toy would be over forty years old at this point it shouldn’t be too hard to see if it’s possibly unsafe. If yes, then you need to be very careful. If there’s an existing coat of paint, it’s highly likely to be lead paint and completely unsafe for your child. If you’re unsure, get a lead test kit from your local hardware store. While lead paint in your home is best either professionally removed or covered, lead paint on a toy is an unsolvable problem (if you were hoping your child could play with it).

Have the right supplies

Ensure you’re using a health-focused paint. ECOS Products come with ingredient lists and are certified for use on toys.

How to safely paint wooden toys:

Every time you paint there’s always some prep work –

• Protect your work surface (by putting down old newsprint or some other covering).
• Lightly sand the toy just to rough the finish and scuff it up. This helps the paint adhere to the toy.
• Clean off the dust with a tack cloth or damp rag.
• Make sure the wood is completely dry before applying any paint. If you’re unsure, let it sit overnight.

Now for the fun part –

• Apply a thin (but ample – don’t scrimp) coat of paint. You can also purchase them in 2-ounce sample sizes that are perfect for small projects like this. Choose one of our designer colors or we can color match to any of competitor’s colors, too! For an easy-to-clean surface, use a semi-gloss or gloss finish. For a more translucent look that will allow the wood grain to show through you can dilute the paint with water so it acts more like a stain.
• After allowing it to dry fully, apply a second coat.
• The paint will take 7-10 days to fully cure and harden, so have patience before letting your little one start playing!
• For some inspiration, we’re sharing this short video about a small wooden toy company from Croatia called Margaret toys. These simple designs with fun bright colors are just what we envision you could do to give a new life to some old wooden blocks!

One more question, Can you wash wooden toys with soap and water?

Wooden toys require gentle cleaning.

In most cases, a damp cloth will be all that’s needed to clean your wooden toys. For toys that are very dirty, you can use a solution of water and soap — either gentle dish soap or castle soap. You only need one or two drops of soap in a bowl or skinful of water.

The End about Tooky

Tooky is a leading 18 years wooden toy supplier based in China. Below is our main 7 values. If you are interested in importing wooden toys, feel free to CONTACT us.

1) Products-Over 500 fine selected products + over 40 quarterly new launches. 

2) Free customized designs-9 experienced product managers, they will convert toy into with your brand characteristics

3) Customized package-4 packaging experts offer not only safe package, but legal labeling for market access

4) Test report-Not sure of testing standards? You can leave test with us till we get a final “pass” report as market requires

5) Lifestyle pictures-Never feel helpless about marketing! Will offer you lifestyle pictures if you need

6) Short videos-Check with our sales for “Short Video Paid-Service & Discount Program”

7) Exclusivity program-After spending a tremendous amount of resources on marketing and advertising, we may see competitors sharing our fruits of labor by carrying very similar products. How to obtain some kind of protections? An “exclusivity program” needed to be put in place, check with our sales.

Any comments, pls contact with me sales21@trade-internet.com