Painting plastic may seem simple, but it requires careful preparation to ensure long-lasting results. Since plastic surfaces tend to repel paint, skipping key steps like sanding or priming can lead to peeling or chipping over time. Choosing the right type of paint is just as important—whether it’s special plastic paint, spray paint, acrylic, or oil-based paint. In this guide, we’ll explore the best paints for plastic and provide step-by-step instructions to help you achieve a smooth, durable finish.
How to Paint Over Plastic
Before painting a plastic toy or item, keep in mind that plastic tends to repel many types of paint. This makes it challenging for the paint to adhere permanently to the surface. Therefore, painting plastic requires a good preparation process. If the preparation steps are skipped, the paint may peel over time.
Painting plastic is often seen as a simple task. However, to ensure the paint adheres well to the surface and lasts long, sanding or priming the plastic is necessary. First, let’s start with the types of paint suitable for plastic.
What Kind of Paint Will Stick to Plastic?
No matter which paint you choose for plastic, sanding or applying a primer is a great precaution. Here are the types of paint you can use to paint plastic:
- Special Plastic Paint: The best paints for plastic are specially designed plastic paints, usually available in spray form. As mentioned earlier, plastic tends to repel paint. For this reason, your first choice for painting plastic should be a paint specifically formulated for plastic. If you’re planning to paint an important plastic item, special plastic paint is an excellent option. However, if it’s difficult to find plastic-specific paint in your area, there are also some great alternatives for painting plastic.
- Spray Paints: Spray paints are among the best options for painting plastic. They dry quickly and are easy to apply. You can use general-purpose spray paints to paint small plastic toys, decorations, and other plastic items. (However, cellulose-based spray paints are not suitable for plastic.) Keep in mind that painting plastic items indoors with spray paint can be inconvenient, so using spray paint outdoors is a good precaution.
- Acrylic Paints: Acrylic paints are ideal for painting large plastic objects. They provide an economical solution for covering large plastic surfaces, typically don’t leave brush marks, and effectively coat broad areas. If you’re planning to paint large plastic items, general-purpose acrylic paints are a good choice. However, don’t forget to sand or prime the plastic surface before painting.
- Oil-Based Paints: Oil-based paints are among the most suitable options for painting plastic. However, most of them have a glossy finish, which means they may leave roller or brush marks during application. Additionally, since oil-based paint hardens when dry, it can crack on flexible plastic surfaces. For this reason, oil-based paint is better suited for painting rigid plastic items. “Related article: Is oil or water based stain better?”
How to Spray Paint Plastic?
Spray paint is one of the best options for painting plastic. Your first choice should be spray paint specifically designed for plastic. However, if you can’t find one, you can also use general-purpose spray paints. “Tip: Make sure the spray paint is not cellulose-based.”
Before spray painting plastic, it’s recommended to apply a coat of spray primer or lightly sand the surface with fine sandpaper. Apply a thin coat of spray primer and wait about 30 minutes for it to dry. Then, spray two thin coats of paint onto the plastic surface, allowing 30 minutes between each coat. To prevent scratches and extend the durability of the paint, apply one or two coats of spray varnish after painting. “If you make a mistake while painting, this might help: How to remove spray paint from plastic?”
How to Paint Plastic with Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paints are suitable for painting large plastic surfaces and PVC. However, priming or sanding the plastic beforehand will help the paint adhere better to the surface. You can use general-purpose acrylic paint or chalk paint for plastic.
Before applying acrylic paint, you can use a coat of water-based primer, general-purpose primer, or bonding primer. If you don’t have a primer, replace this step with sanding and lightly sand the plastic surface.
After applying the primer, wait at least 4 hours for it to dry. Then, apply two coats of acrylic paint, allowing at least 4 hours between coats. To make the paint more durable on the plastic surface, apply an acrylic varnish at least 4 hours after the final coat of paint. “If you make a mistake, this might help: How to remove acrylic paint from plastic?”
How to Paint Plastic with Oil-Based Paint
Oil-based paints are only suitable for painting rigid plastics because they harden after drying. Since oil-based paint becomes stiff, it can crack on flexible plastic surfaces.
To paint plastic with oil-based paint, apply a coat of synthetic primer one day before painting. Let the primer dry for 24 hours. Then, apply two coats of oil-based paint, allowing 24 hours between each coat. “Related article: How to use enamel paint?”
Frequently Asked Questions
The most frequently asked questions about painting plastic are listed below. Feel free to use the comment section for any additional questions.
How do you permanently paint plastic?
To permanently paint plastic, sanding is necessary beforehand. Additionally, using a primer can help ensure the paint adheres permanently to the plastic.
What is the best spray paint for plastic?
Choose spray paints specifically formulated for plastics or general-purpose spray paints for painting plastic.
Can I paint plastic with acrylic paint?
Yes, you can paint plastic with acrylic paint. Multi-surface and chalk paint acrylics are the best options.
What paint stays in plastic?
Spray paints and acrylic paints adhere well to plastic. Additionally, oil-based paints work on hard plastics.
