Maya Ellison
Painting plastic is a great way to revive dated or dull items and make them sparkle with colour. It's also a good way to extend the life of plastic items, which can be an affordable and durable alternative to replacing them. However, plastic is known to be a tricky surface to paint due to its glossy finish, which can cause paint to drip, pool, and blotch, and to peel off once dried. To get a smooth, high-gloss finish, you'll need to prepare the surface, prime it, and apply the paint in a way that allows it to adhere to the plastic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Revive and extend the life of plastics |
| Paint | Standard exterior gloss paint, acrylic paint, enamel paint, metallic or mirror-effect paint, spray paint |
| Paintbrush movement | Short, even strokes for confined or detailed areas; long, straight, sweeping strokes for broad areas |
| Primer | Choose a low-odour, all-purpose exterior primer and sealer suitable for plastics; mould and mildew-resistant |
| Undercoat | Acrylic undercoat for acrylic topcoat, oil-based undercoat for oil-based topcoat |
| Application method | Brush, roller, spray |
| Surface preparation | Clean with detergent, sugar soap, or mineral spirits; sand to a matte finish; dust and wipe with a wet cloth; allow to dry |
| Spray technique | Hold the can 8-12 inches away, at a 45-degree angle; spray lightly across the surface; move your hand in slow, circular motions |
| Drying time | 30 minutes between coats |
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What You'll Learn
Sand the surface
Sanding is a crucial step in preparing a surface for painting. It ensures that the paint adheres properly to the surface. Most plastic surfaces are glossy, and sanding helps to create a rougher, matte finish that paint can stick to more easily.
When sanding plastic, it is important to use the correct type of sandpaper. Fine sandpaper with a grit size of 180-220 is recommended to prevent marring the surface of the plastic. Coarser sandpaper with larger particles can create scratches and damage the plastic. The grit size refers to the coarseness of the sandpaper, with higher numbers indicating finer sandpaper. Sandpaper with a grit size of 80-120 can be used initially to remove any old paint or smooth out imperfections, before switching to the finer sandpaper for the final sanding. It is also important to test the sandpaper on a small, hidden area of the plastic surface before starting to ensure it is suitable for the job.
Sanding can be done by hand or with electric tools, but it is important to be careful not to over-sand the plastic. Plastic is a soft material, and vigorous sanding can create enough friction to melt it. Hand sanding is often the best method for plastic, as it provides more control and can help prevent over-sanding. When sanding by hand, a sanding block can be used to apply even pressure across the surface and make the process easier.
After sanding, it is important to clean the surface to remove any dust or debris created during the process. A vacuum cleaner can be used to remove the majority of the dust, followed by a moist, lint-free rag to wipe away any remaining dust. This step is important to ensure that dust does not become embedded in the paint and ruin the finish. The surface should then be allowed to dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step in the painting process.
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Clean the plastic
To gloss paint plastic, the first step is to clean the plastic surface thoroughly. This is important because it ensures that the paint will adhere properly and creates a professional-looking finish. Here is a step-by-step guide to cleaning plastic before painting:
Firstly, set up your work area. It is recommended to work outdoors, if possible, due to fumes and overspray. Lay down a tarp, plastic sheet, or cardboard to protect the surface you are working on. This will also help contain the mess and make cleanup easier.
Next, you will need to clean the plastic surface. Use a scrub brush or sponge to remove any loose paint, dirt, mildew, or algae. If there is old paint on the plastic, use a dry brush first to remove any flaking or loose paint. Then, use soapy water and a sponge or brush to scrub the surface. You can use a non-scratch sponge or a microfiber cloth, sea sponge, or a sponge made of cellulose, nylon, or polypropylene fiber. If there are set-in stains, pour rubbing alcohol onto them and let it sit for 10 to 20 minutes before scrubbing.
After scrubbing, rinse the plastic piece with regular water to remove any soap suds. Then, wipe it down with a rag or cloth. You can use a clean, dry cloth to absorb any excess moisture and then let the plastic air-dry. To speed up the drying process, place the plastic near a fan or in a well-ventilated area.
Once the plastic is clean and dry, you can move on to the next step, which is sanding. Lightly sand the entire surface with fine-grit sandpaper or a sanding block to create a rough texture. This will help the paint adhere better and create a more durable finish. Pay extra attention to any shiny or glossy areas, as these may need more sanding to create a matte finish. Sanding can be skipped if you are using a spray paint that does not require it, such as Krylon Fusion.
Finally, after sanding, make sure to remove any dust or debris created by the sanding process. Use a dry cloth first to remove most of the dust, and then use a damp cloth or rag with mineral spirits or isopropyl alcohol to wipe down the surface and capture any remaining particles. Ensure the surface is completely clean and dry before moving on to priming and painting.
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Choose the right primer
When choosing the right primer for your project, it is important to consider the surface you are working with, the type of paint you are using, and the desired finish. While some surfaces do not require priming, such as previously painted surfaces in good condition, priming is necessary for bare substrates that have not been previously painted or coated.
For plastic surfaces, a high-quality bonding primer is recommended. The shiny surface of plastic can be difficult for standard primers to adhere to, so a bonding primer will ensure that the paint sticks to the surface. INSL-X STIX Waterborne Bonding Primer is specifically designed for plastic, tile, and glossy surfaces, providing maximum adhesion. Benjamin Moore's STIX® Waterborne Bonding Primer is another option for hard-to-coat surfaces like PVC.
If you are painting over a previously painted surface, it is important to identify the type of coating used. A simple test can be done by rubbing a cotton ball dipped in isopropyl alcohol on the surface. If the paint comes off, it is acrylic-based, and if it does not, it is alkyd-based. Acrylic and oil-based primers will accept both acrylic and oil-based topcoats. However, it is generally not recommended to use an acrylic finish over a previously painted oil-based topcoat without proper surface preparation.
The type of primer you choose will also depend on the desired finish. If you are painting a lighter color over a darker one, priming is essential to prevent the previous color from showing through. In this case, a white primer is recommended. If you want the base coat to be similar to your final color, a tinted primer or adding paint to a white primer can be considered. For high-humidity areas, a durable primer with a biocide, such as Zinsser Bullseye 1-2-3 primer, is advisable to protect against fungal degradation.
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Apply the paint
When applying the paint, you should follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you are using a brush, use short, even strokes for confined or detailed areas, and long, straight, sweeping strokes for broader areas. If you are using a spray, ensure you are holding the can between 8 and 12 inches away from the plastic, with the can tilted at about a 45-degree angle. Move your hand in slow, circular motions and apply a light, even coat to the surface.
If you are using a brush, continue applying paint until you have covered the entire surface. If you are using a spray, apply a light coat to the entire surface, then move forward to cover any spray dust with fresh paint.
Allow the paint to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions. This could be anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours. Apply additional coats as needed—a high-gloss finish will likely require multiple coats of paint.
If you are using a spray, be sure to shake the can after every couple of sprays to keep the paint mixed. Avoid using the very last part of the can, as this tends to splatter.
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Allow to dry
Allowing your paint to dry is a crucial step in the painting process. It ensures that your paint job dries and cures properly, resulting in a smooth and aesthetically pleasing finish. The time it takes for paint to dry depends on various factors, such as the type of paint, the number of coats, and the environment.
For instance, if you are using a spray paint, it is important to apply a light, even coat to the surface and allow it to dry for at least 30 minutes before applying additional coats. Spray paint requires a light application, and achieving a high-gloss finish often necessitates multiple coats of paint. By allowing each coat to dry thoroughly before applying the next one, you prevent issues like tackiness or uneven surfaces.
If you are using a paintbrush, move the brush in short, even strokes for detailed areas and long, straight, sweeping strokes for broader areas. Continue applying paint until the entire surface is covered. Achieving a high-gloss finish with a paintbrush also typically requires more than one coat. Again, allow each coat to dry thoroughly before applying the next one.
The type of paint you use will also impact the drying time. Oil-based paint, for example, can take around 6 to 8 hours to dry to the touch and is usually ready for recoating after 24 hours. On the other hand, latex paint is known for its quick drying times, typically drying to the touch within an hour and ready for recoating in about four hours.
Additionally, environmental factors such as temperature, ventilation, and humidity can influence the drying time. For instance, high humidity can cause moisture to settle on the painted surface, leading to prolonged drying times and potential issues like tackiness or uneven finishes. In contrast, dry heat helps paint dry and cure faster.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to paint plastic is to use spray paint. This is because it is difficult to paint plastic with a brush or roller without the paint dripping, pooling, and blotching.
First, clean the plastic with a suitable detergent or sugar soap to remove any dirt or mould. Then, sand the plastic with fine-grit sandpaper to create a rougher surface that the paint can adhere to. Finally, wipe the plastic with mineral spirits or isopropyl alcohol to remove any remaining dust.
To achieve a high-gloss finish, you should use a spray or bottled paint that is designed to yield a high-gloss finish. Acrylic paint is recommended for a shiny finish on plastic items such as action figures. Enamel paints and paints intended for model cars and planes will also create a shiny finish.
To prevent paint from peeling, it is important to use a primer before painting. This will help the paint adhere to the plastic. It is also important to apply several light coats of paint, rather than one heavy coat.
