Plastic is one of the trickiest materials to paint on because they are prone to flaking paint even when you think you have the coating securely adhered.
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Are you struggling to paint plastic surfaces and want to make sure the paint stays on?
Plastics can be painted without sacrificing durability if the surface is properly prepared and specialized products are used. With that being said, you need to prime the plastic and then use acrylic paint or specialized paint like Krylon Fusion All-In-One Spray Paint.
This guide explains the techniques used to successfully paint plastic and which paints are best to use for great results.
Why is plastic hard to paint?
Plastic is difficult to paint because it is non-porous, smooth and often slippery. This makes it difficult for paint to adhere properly, leading to chipping, peeling or fading.
Is plastic different from other surfaces?
Well, yes! Painting plastic is different than painting wood or metal surfaces, as the paint needs to adhere more strongly to plastic. If a primer is not used, the paint will not stick and will easily chip away.
So, the reason you need to use the right paint is because you want it to stick. Painting plastic can be a bit tricky since most of the time, paint doesn’t stay on it for very long.
Can you apply acrylic paint to plastic without a primer?
If you want to get right down to painting, the answer is “no.”
Regrettably, it’s not as simple as just picking up a paintbrush and starting to paint.
Do not be discouraged by the fact that you need to do some preliminary work before you can begin painting.
Before using acrylic paint on plastic, you have to prime the plastic surface! Primer is used to create a smooth surface that allows the paint to adhere. Without this, the paint won’t stick and will easily chip off.
It does not take a lot of time or effort, and it does not cost a lot of money.
However, despite your best efforts, not all plastics are paintable. You can’t paint anything polypropylene-made.
Polypropylene can be identified by its recycling logo, which features a triangle with the number 5 in its center.
What type of paint can use you to paint plastic?
Paint that is made to coat plastic surfaces is best for plastic. The most popular paints are water-based acrylic paints and specialized paint like Krylon Fusion All-In-One Spray Paint.
But, there are two categories of paints to use:
Acrylic paint
This type of paint is oil-based and will provide better coverage and adhesion on plastic. It takes longer to dry and you need to be careful not to use too much as it may cause flaking or peeling.
Acrylic paint is also more durable than other types of paint and will last longer.
Acrylic paint is made of pigment suspended in acrylic polymer emulsion and is water-resistant when dry.
As I mentioned above, you have to use primer before applying the coat of acrylic paint onto a plastic surface.
Special plastic paint
Krylon Fusion All-In-One Spray Paint
Krylon Fusion All-In-One Spray Paint is a specialized plastic paint that works on all types of plastics, including polyethylene and PVC. This is a spray paint and it comes in a can.
It dries quickly and provides excellent coverage with no flaking or peeling. It also has a high gloss finish and is resistant to fading, chipping and cracking.
Rust-Oleum 211338 Specialty Spray Paint for Plastic
Rust-Oleum spray paint for plastic is used to paint things like plastic chairs and tables. It sprays on evenly and provides a smooth, high-gloss finish that resists chipping and cracking.
It is also fade-resistant and will not flake or peel when dry.
Why can’t I use any random paint over plastic?
Using regular paint on plastic without properly preparing the surface and using an appropriate primer will result in a poor finish. The paint won’t stick to the plastic and you’ll end up with a messy, uneven surface.
That’s why it is important to use paints specifically designed for plastic and to make sure that you use a primer before painting.
How do I prepare my plastic surface before painting?
You should begin by cleaning the surface and removing any dirt or debris. After that, you should sand the area using a fine-grit sandpaper to ensure proper adhesion of the paint.
Once you’ve prepped your plastic surface, you can apply primer to it before painting. Primer helps enhance paint adhesion and prevents any flaking or chipping once the project is finished.
Use a primer before painting plastic
To improve adhesion, it is recommended to clean the surface thoroughly and prime it with a plastic primer before painting.
When painting plastic objects, use a primer like Rust-Oleum 209460 Plastic Primer Spray because it’s an absolute necessity! Without it, your paint may start chipping off very quickly. The primer ensures that the paint will stick to the plastic and last for a long time.
Apply a high-adhesion latex stain-blocking primer to interior walls (especially those tiled with plastic tile or finished with other plastic products).
Use a high-quality interior latex paint for walls in the bathroom or kitchen that won’t be constantly wet. Walls in a shower or similar environment should not be painted.
If you want to make sure your paint job lasts as long as possible without peeling or cracking, have your local paint store recommend primers and paints designed for plastic. You’ll have a lot of leeway in how you use them to decorate your outdoor spaces.
Final thoughts
So, as you can tell, you can definitely paint over plastic but you have to take certain considerations into account.
It’s important to use a paint specifically designed for plastic, such as Krylon Fusion All-In-One Spray Paint or Rust-Oleum Specialty Spray Paint for Plastic. Acrylic is another option but use a primer first.
Now you can start painting plastic objects around your home without worrying about chips and flakes!
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