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 Visit a local thrift store for outdated plastic items such as wall hanging, frames, and figurines.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
, old sheet or newspapers
- 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
- Faux Stained Glass Luminary
- 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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pam walkup says
i have ten tupperware clear storage containers from 1990. They have a yellow tint to them that looks awful. Is there a paint i can use to spruce them up? or any ideas as what i can do with them to get rid of that yellowish stain?
Amanda Formaro says
Unfortunately because they 1) will be washed often, and 2) will be used with food, I can’t recommend painting them. After searching, I found a thread on a message board where people were talking about possible solutions for cleaning them. Here it is http://www.vendio.com/mesg/read.html?num=2&thread=407465 Good luck!
Agnes Hamilton says
I purchased plastic lemons but they are too bright yellow. How can I make them less vivid yellow?
Amanda Formaro says
Are you looking to just paint them a different color or dull the existing color?
Lynn says
Hi there!
I’m wanting to do some organizing and am on a limited budget. I’ve picked up some storage containers for both foods (like Tupperware type items) as well as their $1 storage bins to hold snacks and other items. We don’t have a pantry in our small kitchen, so my husband has made a pantry-like sliding door furniture piece that works great! While the bins will mostly be covered by the wooden sliding doors, I’d like for them to look nice and match the colors of our kitchen, instead of the bright blue, green, and pink!
My question for this is: in the case of the food containers, if I have a plastics jar with plastic lid, Am I able to spray paint the lid and still be able to wash it (preferably in the dishwasher)? And are you aware of any of the solutions for this would be food safe? I’m not quite as concerned about the storage bins, but in the case of using them for vegetables or fruits on the counter, I’d still like to be able to wash them and know they aren’t going to contaminate the foods with which they are in contact. Help! :)
Amanda Formaro says
I don’t think paint is the solution in this case. I’m not positive what type of storage containers you’re talking about, can you find a link to them and leave it here in the comments so I can have a look?
ann says
I would either find colors that match or if its open containers make a fabric liner so the items inside don’t touch the plastic surface.
Delphina says
I tried painting a Step 2 car as a super Mario Kart for my son’s Halloween costume its 3 colors. I sanded, primered painted one color let dry a day and mask off do the next color dry same thing do the last color let dry and why I come to take off the tape it completely go ruined! Chunks peeled off. I thought i did everything correctly but my Paint was the Rustolium Enamel and I even have a clear coat as well some peeled if clear was applied. Need help please! My paint won’t stick how many days do I need to let each color dry?
Amanda Formaro says
What was the temperature like outside where you were painting? If it was humid at all or if the temps were too cold the paint won’t cure properly.
cassie says
Hi Amanda:
For painting the underside of the seat and the back of a transparent plastic chair so that the painting can be seen from above the chair, is there a primer and a sealer that I can use that will not obscure the painting?
THanks!
Cassie
Amanda Formaro says
Hi Cassie! There are tons of clear sealers, as for primer, Rustoleum makes a clear spray primer. A quick google search revealed this (FYI I am not familiar with the store) https://www.zoro.com/rust-oleum-spray-primer-clear-11-oz-251572/i/G3548291/feature-product?gclid=Cj0KCQjwof3cBRD9ARIsAP8x70P29RZ4xl1EFvGwlkdmqKLmsMA_yNd8AO0Ya8zYU1twKvKehitB5owaAhSMEALw_wcB
Elizabeth Dansel says
Has anyone ever painted a Step 2 Push Car? I’m wondering if I need to sand it down first or use one of these: Klean-Strip/Krud Kutter Prepaint Cleaner before painted with one of the recommended spray paints above.
Amanda Formaro says
Is it similar to a Cozy Coupe? If it’s that plastic type car, you probably won’t need to sand it, but the Krud Kutter would be a good idea. Here’s a video of someone painting a Cozy Coupe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anHgF0Dfggc
Maria says
Hello, I have bought myself a couple PVC Mannequin heads for my hats and I
would like to paint them but not sure what paints are suitable and would I need to
prime them first. Someone suggested Rustoleum Plastic primer spray and then use
acrylic paint but am worried incase I ruin them. What would you suggest?Ma
Thank you!
Amanda Formaro says
That’s what I would suggest as well! A plastic primer is perfect and after that acrylic paints will work great ;)
Cathe anderson says
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
Amanda Formaro says
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
Kattie says
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!)
Amanda Formaro says
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.
Bobbie says
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.
Amanda Formaro says
Any of the products in #2 above in Product Tips would be great for this :)
Cindy Hernandez says
My daughter is doing a mural with plastic bottle caps. Which kind of paint do you recommend we use? Thank you
Amanda Formaro says
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.
Polly says
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?
Amanda Formaro says
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 :)
Gay Negus says
Will painted plastic withstand the motion of feet from someone sitting in a computer chair with a painted plastic base?
Amanda Formaro says
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.
Erin Scanlan says
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.
Amanda Formaro says
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
Elisabeth says
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!
PattP says
The plastic chair mat will flex and have too much pressure on the surface to use contact paper or paint, even with sealer, especially if it is on carpet. If the mat is clear, you could use spray paint for plastic on the underside, and if it’s the kind for flat floors, not carpet, it may eventually rub off, but should last quite a bit longer than painting it on top. Be sure to clean well and dry before painting. You won’t be able to use primer if you want to see the color underneath. I’d probably let it cure as long as a month before putting it down. The most curing will happen soon, but paint can become harder and tougher over time.
Marian says
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?
Amanda Formaro says
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.