Sofia Martinez
Painting the inside of plastic Christmas balls is a fun and easy DIY project that can be done by both adults and children. It is a great way to create unique, colourful, and inexpensive ornaments for your Christmas tree or to give as gifts. There are several ways to paint plastic Christmas balls, including using acrylic paint, spray paint, or glitter. The process typically involves removing the cap of the ornament, squirting paint inside, swirling it around to coat the entire surface, and then letting it dry. Some people also recommend using hairspray or primer before adding paint to help it adhere better.
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What You'll Learn
Using hairspray as a base coat
Painting the inside of a plastic Christmas ball is a fun and simple DIY project. However, getting the paint to stick to the plastic can be challenging. One solution to this problem is to use hairspray as a base coat.
First, remove the cap from your plastic Christmas ball. Then, put some liquid hairspray inside the ornament and swirl it around so that the hairspray coats the entire inside surface. Pour out any excess hairspray and let the ornament dry completely. This step will give the paint a better surface to adhere to.
Once the hairspray is dry, you can add your paint. Squirt some paint into the ornament—acrylic paint works well for this project—and swirl it around until the entire inside surface is coated. If you see any air bubbles, hold the ornament so that the bubble is at the bottom, and then give it a little flick so that the bubble rises to the surface.
After the inside is completely covered, place the ornament upside down on a bottle or in a muffin tin to dry. Excess paint will run out of the opening, so be sure to rest the ornament on something that you don't mind getting paint on.
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Pour painting
To begin the pour painting process, prepare your work surface by covering it with newspaper, cardboard, or a large tray. You can also use paper or plastic cups to hold your ornaments. Remove the metal cap from your clear plastic ball ornament and set it aside. If you want to add some sparkle to your ornament, sprinkle some glitter inside the opening before you begin painting.
Next, squirt a small amount of acrylic paint into the ornament. You can use two or three colours and add them one at a time. Slowly tilt and roll the ornament around so that the paint coats the entire inside. You can also gently tap the ornament against your palm to help spread the paint. If you are making these ornaments with toddlers or preschoolers, it is best to use clear plastic ball ornaments instead of glass ones for safety reasons.
Once the inside of the ornament is completely coated, invert it and let the excess paint drip out. You can place the ornament upside down on a paper cup to catch the excess paint. Leave the ornament to dry overnight or until the paint is completely dry. Finally, put the metal cap back on the ornament, and your pour-painted Christmas ornament is ready!
For better paint adhesion, you can try coating the inside of the ornament with hairspray before adding the paint. This will give the paint a better surface to stick to and help prevent streaking or flaking.
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Using a skewer to swirl paint
Painting the inside of a plastic Christmas ball is a fun and easy project that can be done by anyone. The process is simple: you remove the top of the ornament, add paint, swirl it around to coat the inside, and let it dry. However, some people have reported issues with the paint not adhering properly to the plastic surface.
One way to address this issue is to use a skewer to swirl the paint. This method can help ensure that the paint is evenly distributed and thoroughly coats the entire inside surface of the ornament. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Prepare the Ornament
Start by removing the top of the ornament and setting it aside. You can also prepare the inside of the ornament by cleaning it with rubbing alcohol or vinegar. This will ensure that the surface is free of any oils or residue that may interfere with the paint adhesion.
Step 2: Add Paint
Choose the acrylic paint colours you want to use. It is recommended to use a fresh bottle of paint or a thicker paint for better coverage. Add a small amount of paint to the ornament, one colour at a time. You can add the paint directly in the centre of the ornament or in a line down the side.
Step 3: Swirl with a Skewer
Take a skewer or the handle of a brush and gently swirl the paint inside the ornament. Be careful not to overmix, as you want the colours to swirl together without completely mixing and changing colour. Continue swirling until the paint no longer flows.
Step 4: Tilt and Rotate the Ornament
Hold the ornament at a 45-degree angle and slowly turn and rotate it. This will allow the paint to flow and coat the inside of the ornament. You can also try rolling the ornament between your hands to distribute the paint.
Step 5: Check for Coverage
Once the paint has stopped flowing, check for any remaining clear parts of the ornament. If there are still uncoated areas, repeat steps 2-4 until the entire inside surface is coated.
Step 6: Allow to Dry
Place the ornament upside down on a surface that you don't mind getting paint on, such as a plastic water bottle, to allow excess paint to drip out. Let the ornament dry thoroughly before replacing the top and displaying it.
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Drying time
For the paint to dry, the ornaments are usually left upside down for the excess paint to drip out. This can take about 10 minutes. After this, the ornaments are placed in a muffin tin or egg carton to dry completely. Some people also use a plastic water bottle or a paintbrush holder to rest the ornaments upside down.
If you are using glass balls, you can place them upside down in an old cupcake pan and put them in the oven at 200 degrees for 30 minutes to an hour. However, this method is not recommended for plastic balls.
Some people have reported that their ornaments were still wet inside after a few days, while others have said that the paint started streaking or "melting" after a couple of days. Therefore, it is recommended to let the ornaments dry for at least two days before closing them up.
The type of paint used can also affect drying time. Acrylic paint, for example, may take longer to dry and may require a couple of days for the excess paint to drip out completely. Additionally, the paint may not adhere well to plastic surfaces, and a layer of hairspray before painting may be necessary.
Overall, the drying time for painted plastic Christmas balls can range from a couple of hours to a few days, depending on the paint type, the number of layers, and the drying method. It is important to allow sufficient time for the paint to dry completely to avoid any streaking or melting issues.
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Spray painting
Before you start spray painting, you need to prepare the surface of the plastic Christmas ball properly. Wash the ball with soap and water to remove any dirt, dust, and grit. Let it dry completely. Next, sand the entire surface of the ball with sandpaper (grit number 400-600). Wash the ball again to remove any grit from the sanding process and let it dry.
Now, you can apply a coat of primer to the ornament. You can use a spray primer like Kilz spray primer or a plastic adhesion promoter like SEM Plastic Adhesion Promoter. Once the primer is dry, you can start spray painting. Use a spray paint designed for plastic, such as Krylon Fusion Spray Paint for Plastic. Apply multiple thin coats, letting each coat dry before applying the next. You can also use Krylon spray paints in various colours and finishes, such as Krylon Brilliant Metallic in Gold Leaf, Krylon Glitter Blast in Golden Glow, and Krylon Fine Texture Stone Finish in Sandstone.
When spray painting, wear gloves and suspend the ball on a small stand to keep it still. Once the final coat of paint is dry, you can put the hanger or cap back into the top of the ornament.
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Frequently asked questions
Acrylic paint is the best option for painting the inside of a plastic Christmas ball. You can also use spray paint for the outside of the ornament.
It is recommended to use a new bottle of paint to ensure the paint adheres to the plastic. You can also try coating the inside of the ornament with hairspray and letting it dry before adding the paint.
First, remove the ornament top. Squirt some paint into the ornament and cover the top with your thumb. Shake the ornament until full coverage is achieved. Set the ornament in a muffin tin or egg carton to dry completely.
