Want to spruce up your plastic patio chairs or those plain flower pots? Maybe your kids have outgrown some of their plastic play animals and you’d like to repurpose them. Whatever the case, just because it’s plastic does not mean it’s a lost cause. Here are the basics of painting on plastic.
What Can I Paint?
- Outdoor furniture
- Bottles and jars
- Storage containers
- Closet organizers
- Easter eggs
- Toys
- Trash cans
- Light switch covers
- Flowerpots
- Mirrors and frames
- Figurines
- Plastic foliage and flowers
- Décor accents
- Furniture
Tip: Check your storage shed for those outdoor items you no longer use. Visit local thrift store for outdated plastic items such as wall hanging, frames, and figurines. Turn that trash into treasure with a fresh coat of paint.
There are affiliate links in this post. That means if you buy something from my recommended link, I will earn a small commission, but it won’t cost you anything additional.
Materials
Drop cloth
Fine grit sandpaper
Sponge
Dish soap
Rubbing alcohol
Clean towel
Painter’s tape
Spray paint designed for plastic
Craft paint designed for plastic
How to Paint Plastic
Prep your item:
Clean your item thoroughly with warm water and mild dish soap. Be sure to remove any grime or greasy residue. Rinse with clean water and dry with a soft cloth or towel. Wipe down the entire surface with rubbing alcohol and allow to dry.
Spread out a drop cloth or old sheet in a well-ventilated area, and set your item in the center.
Use a fine grit sandpaper to remove any and all shiny surfaces from your item. Be careful not to press too hard so as not to scratch the surface. Plastic is nonporous and removing its shiny surface will help your paint to adhere. Use a soft, clean brush or cloth to remove all dust from the sanding process.
Paint your item:
- Once your object’s surface is completely clean and dry, block off areas you don’t want painted with painter’s tape.
- Before painting, read the directions on your can of spray paint. Generally, you’ll need to thoroughly shake the can before starting, and in-between applications.
- To ensure you have a good can of paint, or even that it’s the right color, do a test spray on a piece of cardboard, newspaper or your drop cloth.
- To apply, position the nozzle toward your object, and spray a light, thin layer of paint. With this first layer, your object should not be fully covered. Give each layer a few minutes to dry before adding the next one. It should take multiple thin, even layers to refresh your item’s color without over-painting.
- Allow your item to dry completely before displaying or using.
Product Tips:
- As an alternative to sandpaper you can purchase a product called liquid sander. Home Depot carries one called Klean-Strip
. It cleans and removed shiny surfaces at the same time, helping to create a suitable surface for new paint. This product can be used indoors. There’s also one called Krud Kutter Prepaint Cleaner
which cleans the surface and can be painted over after just ten minutes
- Use paints that are specifically formulated to adhere to plastics. There are several available on the market such as Krylon Fusion for Plastic®
, Valspar® Plastic Spray Paint
, and Rust-Oleum Specialty Paint For Plastic Spray
.
- If using regular spray paint then your item will need to be primed. Use a specially formulated primer such as Rust-Oleum Specialty Plastic Primer Spray
or Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Plastic Primer
.
- If you are painting smaller objects or need to add small details, you may find it easier to brush on your paint. Martha Stewart Crafts™ Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Paint
and Americana Multi-Surface Satin Paint
can be used on plastic, and DecoArt Glass Stains
are formulated to dry clear, making them ideal for recycled plastic bottles, clear cake stands and other see through plastic items.
Need some project ideas?
Here are a few creative painted plastic projects you might like:
- Plastic Spoon Garden Markers
- Painted Resin Patio Chairs
- Plastic Spoon Mirror
- Outdoor Child Table Makeover
- Painting Plastic Flower Pots
These pretty painted plastic pots come from my friend Pauline’s blog.
You might also like this post. My friend Suzy shares how to get the crackle effect using white glue.
Shannon over at Rosyscription has some awesome tips for using glass paint and how to choose which one you need.
Amanda Formaro
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Hi
I Want to paint milk bottles for my son’s market day at school.
What is the best paint to use that will not peel of?
In my experience a spray paint is your best bet, at least for the first coat. After the initial coat you could decorate with a multi surface acrylic.
Helping my friend redo a plastic carousel horse and we need to repaint it. It will be very hard to do with a spray can, what do you suggest for us to use.
Any multi surface acrylic (should be linked in this article) should work. Just make sure you prep the surface and use good paint brushes.
Hi Amanda! I had some problems getting my acrylic craft paint adhering to the plastic container I was painting. I was brush painting and it took several coats and still looked “streaky”. Then I mod podged it only to realize if you touch it before it dries, it comes right off! :( Besides spray paint, is there a way to get it to adhere and look better? Thanks!
Hi Debbie :) It’s best to use a paint that is either deemed “multi-surface” or specific to plastic. There are several mentioned and linked in the post. You can also check the “prep” section of the post that mentions roughing up the surface with sandpaper first so the plastic has something to “grab” on to. Good luck with your project! :)
Can I use fabric paint on clear plastic quart containers?
Fabric paint is not formulated in the same way that multi-surface or plastic paint is. The safer bet is to get the appropriate paint for that surface. :)
Hi Amanda!! For fathers day I bought a plastic platter spray painted it white and then decorated with acrylic paint then sealed it with acrylic sealer I was just wondering will this be food safe or not??
Hi Tamara. No it’s not food safe I’m afraid. Most paint companies are making non-toxic paint these days, however the process of being approved for food safety is expensive so most of them do not go through the process. Therefore they cannot be deemed food safe (even if they may be). Safest bet is to get a clear Melamine or acrylic platter to place over the top of it.
Have you ever heard of painting on eyeglasses? I have a few spares and wanted to spruce them up. I thought they would be great to leave in my craft room. What kind of paint is appropriate?
Hi, Renee! It depends on the material the frames are made of. Most sunglasses have plastic frames. If that’s the case, you can use a multi-surface acrylic paint to add designs to the frames. If you want to completely paint the frames, tape off the lens or removes them completely, then use a spray paint made specifically for plastic. You will want to make sure you allow them to dry thoroughly before wearing, I suggest a solid 48 hours. Good luck!
is it work on plastic bags !!?
Painting on plastic bags is not really feasible since the bag will be moving constantly.
I bought some plastic water bottles at the dollar tree and I want to paint the lids matte black. Is it safe to drink from painted lids? I was hoping to use spray paint. Which kind is safe to use?
Hi, Alyssa! I’m not sure I understand what type of water bottle you’re talking about. If you are referring to the portion of the bottle that lips will touch, I wouldn’t recommend painting that part.
Can I paint wine bottles with acrylic paint ???please reply fast !!!
Hi Merlyn, yes you can. Wash the wine bottles well and give them a good rinse in rubbing alcohol. Make sure they are completely dry before painting. Paint thin coats and allow them to dry for at least 30 minutes in between each coat. Make sure you don’t touch the glass with your fingers if possible because the oils from your skin can repel the paint. Good luck!
I am painting an equestrian helmet for my Granddaughter, I’m an artist, I use acylic paint on canvas, but this will be a first for me with the helmet. The helmet is plastic I was thinking about using a spray paint to do the basic then do my art work with my acylic paint, then can I go over it with a clear gloss sealer? Dose acrylic go together with spray paint? Thanks Candra
Yes you can use acrylic over spray paint, just be sure to allow the spray paint to dry thoroughly between coats and before adding the acrylic. :)
I would like to decorate clear plastic drink cups for a baby shower. Preferably with glitter / painted dots. Is this possible? Thank you in advance 😊
Hi Connie. yes this can be done. First rule of thumb when painting cups that people will drink from is to not paint up near the rim. So make sure your designs are at least an inch below the rim. Paint the outside of the cups with a round sponge applicator to mke dots, or you can use the handle end of a large craft paintbrush dipped in paint. Look for a multi-surface glitter paint, Martha Stewart makes a nice line. Here are some examples http://amzn.to/2noiwW4 – just please keep in mind that washing the cups can cause the paint to peel after several washings. But if you are just using them for a baby shower you should be just fine!
Any suggestions on painting a Little Tykes Cottage or those heavy plastic dog houses? I am attempting to spruce up my backyard and my dog shelters are in need of a make over:)
Oh yes, those have definitely been done successfully. :) You can use any of the outdoor plastic spray paints, some should be listed in the post. You can see some of them here too – http://amzn.to/2nogQMa Just make sure you clean the surface really well first. Let the clean surface dry thoroughly and apply several light coats, not one or two thick ones. Thick applications of spray paint tend to run and don’t dry well. Be sure to follow the instructions on the back of the can as each manufacturer may have different instructions. Good luck!
Can I paint plastic flower pots with craft paint instead of spray paint
Ys, as long as it’s a multi-surface paint or a paint specific to plastic. There are a couple linked in the post :)