Maya Ellison
Giving plastic a metal feel and appearance can be achieved through a simple paint job. This method can be used to transform plastic items such as buckets and pails into decorative pieces that resemble aged metal. The process involves lightly sanding the plastic surface to dull its shine, applying a base coat of light gray paint, and then adding texture by allowing the paint to dry in different directions. For a more aged appearance, black furniture wax can be rubbed onto the surface with a lint-free cloth. Alternatively, a metallic silver paint can be dry-brushed over the gray base to create a shiny, newer metal look.
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What You'll Learn
Sanding plastic to prepare it for painting
Painting plastic can be a simple process to freshen dated or dull items and make them shine with colour. However, it is important to prepare the surface before painting. Sanding is an essential step as paint adheres better to rougher, matte surfaces than to glossy plastics.
Firstly, scrub the plastic with a rag or sponge and soapy water. Rinse the surface with clean water, ensuring no suds remain. Then, sand the object surface. Do not vigorously sand the plastic, especially when using an electric sander, as this may create enough friction to melt the plastic. Sand by hand where possible. Sand the plastic to a matte finish, keeping the spray light to avoid drips.
After sanding, wipe the plastic with mineral spirits or isopropyl alcohol to remove the fine plastic dust produced by the sanding. Take the plastic to a well-ventilated area and drip the spirits or alcohol onto a clean rag, wiping down the surface until it is clean and dust-free.
When it comes to the grit of sandpaper to use, a 120 grit is considered extremely rough for a painted surface. It is recommended to start at a 600 grit minimum and finish with a 1000 grit minimum.
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Using grey paint to create a base coat
To give plastic a metallic look and feel, you can use paint to create a base coat and add texture. Firstly, it is important to prepare the plastic surface. You can lightly sand some plastic surfaces to dull the shine and give it a quick scuff. This technique works well on plastic furniture.
Once the surface is prepared, you can start creating the base coat. For this project, a light grey paint was chosen – Rustoleum Chalked Paint in Aged Grey. Using a good-quality paintbrush, apply the first coat of paint to the plastic surface. It is important to let this first coat dry completely before moving on to the next step. The paint does not need to be perfectly smooth, as you want to create some extra texture to achieve an authentic metal look.
After the first coat has dried, apply the second coat of paint in a different direction to the first. This will create a unique texture, giving the plastic a more natural, aged appearance. Again, let this second coat dry overnight. The paint's texture will add to the overall effect, making it look like an old metal bucket.
If you prefer a newer-looking metal finish, you can lightly dry brush some metallic silver paint over the grey base coat to add some shine. This will give the plastic a more modern, metallic appearance. However, if you are aiming for an older, more weathered look, you can skip this step and move on to the next stage of the process.
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Brushing on metallic silver paint to add shine
Painting plastic with metallic silver paint is a simple way to make it look like metal. This method is inexpensive and can transform the appearance of plastic items such as bins, buckets, and containers.
To begin, it is important to prepare the plastic surface. If the plastic is smooth, use fine grit sandpaper to roughen the surface. However, if the plastic is already scratched, you can skip this step. Next, wash the plastic with mild soap and water, and allow it to dry completely.
Once the plastic is prepared, it's time to prime it. Choose a primer that adheres well to plastic, such as gray automobile primer, and apply two coats to ensure adequate coverage. Allow the primer to dry completely between coats, and before moving on to the next step.
Now, it's time to add the metallic shine. Choose a silver paint designed for use on plastic, such as FolkArt Metallic Acrylic Paint in Silver Sterling. Load a small amount of paint onto a foam brush and wipe off the excess. Then, using a light touch, dry brush the silver paint onto the primed surface. This technique will add a subtle shine and create the appearance of vintage metal.
If you desire a more pronounced shine, you can apply a second coat of silver paint. Additionally, you can experiment with different techniques, such as using a clean cloth to rub the silver paint onto the primer, building up layers until you achieve the desired coverage. Remember to work in a well-ventilated area when using spray paint or other strong-smelling substances.
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Waxing over the paint to create an aged look
Painting plastic to make it look like metal is a simple process that can be done in a few steps. Firstly, you'll want to lightly sand the plastic surface to dull the shine and give it a quick scuff. Then, you can begin painting. It's recommended to use a light grey paint and apply two coats, letting the paint dry overnight between coats. You don't need to worry about the paint being perfectly smooth, as you want there to be some extra texture to make it look like an old metal bucket.
Now, to create an aged look, you can use a technique called waxing. This involves applying a dark wax, such as Dark Chalk Paint® Wax, over the painted surface. Before applying the dark wax, it's important to first apply a coat of clear wax, such as Clear Chalk Paint® Wax, to seal the paint and prevent staining. The clear wax also allows you to adjust the darkness of the dark wax by wiping away excess wax with a cloth.
Once the clear wax coat is applied, you can start working on the dark wax. Apply the dark wax liberally, moving the brush in different directions and creating texture. You can play with the darkness by adding more or less wax and wiping away excess with a cloth. If you want a more antiqued look, you can use brown wax instead of black wax.
Finally, once you're happy with the look, ensure that the whole piece has had at least one coat of clear wax to seal in your finish. Allow the wax to cure and harden before using the item. It will be touch-dry within 24 hours but will take up to two weeks to fully harden.
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Using paint to transform plastic buckets
Painting plastic buckets can transform them into decorative pieces that resemble metal. This simple process can be done in a few steps, but it does require some preparation. Firstly, it is important to clean the plastic bucket thoroughly. Use a scrubbing brush and washing-up liquid to remove any dirt or oil. If the bucket is new, wipe it down with alcohol or liquid sandpaper to get rid of any surface oils.
Once the bucket is clean, you can begin the painting process. It is recommended to use a solvent-based paint as it has stronger bonding characteristics. You can use water-based or acrylic paints if you first apply a coat of oil or shellac-based primer. This primer will help the paint adhere to the plastic. If you want to avoid the priming step, you can use spray paint specifically designed for plastic, which can be found at car accessory suppliers.
When choosing a paint colour, opt for a light grey shade to create the base for the metal look. Apply two coats of paint, allowing sufficient drying time between coats, preferably overnight. Don't worry about achieving a perfectly smooth finish, as some texture will add to the aged metal effect.
To enhance the metallic appearance, you can lightly dry brush some metallic silver paint over the grey base. This will add a subtle shine, giving the bucket a more modern metal look. If you prefer an older, more aged metal appearance, you can rub black furniture wax onto the bucket with a lint-free cloth.
With these simple steps, you can easily transform an ordinary plastic bucket into a decorative piece that mimics the look of metal. It's a creative way to upcycle and add unique touches to your space without breaking the bank.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use light grey paint, such as Rustoleum Chalked Paint in Aged Gray, and brush on two coats, letting the paint dry overnight between coats.
You can lightly dry brush some metallic silver paint over the grey to add some shine.
You can lightly sand some plastic surfaces to dull the shine and give it a quick scuff, like plastic furniture.
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