How can you tell oils from acrylics when they've settled/ separated?

Question

I know, this seems like a silly question, but I'm having a hard time telling them apart. I thought the oils in particular would have a distinctive smell or that the liquid on top would be oily vs. the goo on the acrylics, but the gunk on top of the acrylics is pretty viscous too. They're all in those unlabeled little plastic pots that come joined together in sets, which is why I'm so thrown.

Answer 1

I use acrylic all the time but don't use oils. Try shaking (or stirring) them up. Acrylics are water soluable and will dilute in water, wash up easily and have really no odor. I'm guessing the oil paint will float if you try putting a drop or two in some water and if you get it on your skin or on a brush, it won't wash off easily because my understanding is that you would need special cleaner for oil because of its ingredients.

Answer 2

Oils wouldn't have much smell either after they set, that's why it's sometimes hard to tell oil and acrylics apart. I also would suggest rubbing it with something like a wet rag first with water, and if nothing dissolves, try turpentine or any oil meduim/solvent. If some color dissolves in water, it is acrylics, and if in turp, it is oil.

Answer 3

Shake em up, touch the surface, run finger under water. I am surprised you cannot smell the difference.