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 Visit local thrift store for outdated plastic items such as wall hanging, frames, and figurines.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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Aloha, i like to create gifts with beads, vintage jewelry , decopauge, all types of embellishments on everything. I like to protect and shine the beads and jewelry. I have used clear top coat nail polish for the look I want. Sometimes it clouds and/or yellows. Any ideas . Also sometimes the sprays turn whitish. Help!!! I just want a nice clear glossy look. Mahalo, cathe pomaika’i
That’s a good question and not sure I’m qualified to answer it. I did some searching and there are claims that polycrylic won’t yellow, and Mod Podge also claims they won’t yellow. You may be better off speaking with an expert at a hobby shop. Honestly though, my first thought is those little Testors model paints – the clear coat – like this https://amzn.to/2xTVmOc
Was looking to paint a Big blue trashcan at the Ronald McDonald House, I want to add some art to it so it would be more inviting for our Pop Tab collections . This can stays indoors but I would hate for the paint to chop off easily. What paint do you suggest I use for this? ( not a great artist, but wanting to make it better!)
Hi Kattie :) You can use any multi-surface acrylic paint. Just be sure the surface is clean and dry before you begin. Allow the design to dry and cure for at least 2 hours, then spray with a clear sealer (any one of these will do the job http://amzn.to/2HKTyqN). Have a look above at the PRODUCT TIPS section and check out #4 for product suggestions for creating your design.
Hi Amanda,
I need to paint on clear plastic jars and plastic terra cotta like containers. What paint do you recommend for full coverage on the these especially not to be able see through the clear jars.
Any of the products in #2 above in Product Tips would be great for this :)
My daughter is doing a mural with plastic bottle caps. Which kind of paint do you recommend we use? Thank you
A multi-surface paint is your best bet, use multiple thin coats. You can find it at crafts stores, Martha Stewart, Plaid and DecoArt all carry a line.
I want to paint some plastic bottles and use them a Mother’s Day presents for my kindergarten class. What type of paint should I use?
Hi Polly. In the article please look for the section called Product Tips. #4 is the section you will want to have a look at :)
Will painted plastic withstand the motion of feet from someone sitting in a computer chair with a painted plastic base?
I am not sure if it would. It may for a while with a few coats of sealer, but it may need to be touched up over time.
What kind of sealer would you recommend? In my case, for a vintage plastic toy that was my sister’s that I am refurbishing for a baby shower gift for her to give to her daughter. I would be brushing the paint on. But I was thinking a spray for the sealer.
Hi Erin. You can use any acrylic spray sealer, the more important aspect is the type of paint being applied to the plastic so it doesn’t peel. I have used several brands, including Krylon, Rustoleum Plaid and Aleene’s. Here’s several to choose from, just make sure you check the finish (depending on whether you want glossy or matte). http://amzn.to/2EpHD1c
Hello Gay & Amanda ( ♥️ Your site…esp. all the crafty tips – Being overseas and so far away from family & friends is hard enough but even more difficult to source craft items – Amanda would love to mail you private if possible)
So, Gay I was thinking about your dilemma – are you wanting to paint one of those ugly plastic carpet protectors that the desk chairs roll on? If so what about contact paper and then perhaps a coat of sealer or the clear contact paper for windows on top to protect the contact paper…that way you could paint and then cover – either/or ?Hope this helps!
Hi, Amanda,
A well-respected newsletter about children suggests that 2-4 month old infants can get a head start developing hand-eye coordination if this is done: “Paint some bright red polka dots on the white shield of a pacifier,” then mount the painted pacifier in the center of an 8″ diameter circle of white cardboard. The whole thing is tied to an upright crib rail about 8″ above the baby’s shoulder.
The idea is that the baby likes the look of this set-up (you can see why!) and swipes at it first with his fist, then with his open hand. The idea is NOT that the baby ever gets hold of it — you remove it before that happens. Also, you only have this available to the baby if an adult is nearby.
Any tips for painting on this kind of plastic (pacifiers)? Sandpaper versus liquid sander, spray paint versus brush, brush type, sealant?
Personally I wouldn’t recommend this because there’s always a chance the pacifier could end up in baby’s hands. Most commercial acrylic craft paints are non-toxic, but they aren’t approved by the FDA because the process for approval is so costly. Therefore manufacturers simply don’t do it.
In this particular situation the paint does not need to last for a truly long time. So just use the handle end of a paint brush, dip it in the paint and add polka dots to the plastic. Use a couple coats of sealer over it. This pacifier would never be used for any other purpose other than this so there’s no need to worry about the paint wearing off or not lasting over time.