Sofia Martinez
Painting plastic to look like aged metal is a simple and inexpensive way to achieve a vintage look. It involves a few straightforward steps, starting with preparing the plastic surface by washing it with mild soap and water and then drying it thoroughly. Next, a primer is applied – a grey or black primer works well, and automobile primer is a good option as it adheres well to plastic. Once the primer is dry, a thin coat of chalkboard paint can be applied and then wiped off, before applying the metallic paint. A silver spray paint is a good option for a strong, durable metal look, and a dry brush technique can be used to create an aged effect.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Paint colour | Silver, light grey, or black |
| Paint type | Spray paint, chalk paint, acrylic paint, or wax |
| Paint brand | Rust-Oleum, FolkArt, or Annie Sloan |
| Paint finish | Matte, highly-reflective, or metallic |
| Paint application | Brush or spray |
| Paint technique | Dry brush, distinct edges, or thin coats |
| Paint process | Multiple coats, light coats, or thick coats |
| Paint adhesion | Primer or masking fluid |
| Paint maintenance | Sealer |
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What You'll Learn
Use a metallic paint colour
To paint plastic to look like aged metal, you can use a metallic paint colour. This can be done with either spray paint or a paintbrush. If you want to create a distressed metal look, you can use a combination of metallic and non-metallic paint.
First, you should prepare the plastic surface. If the plastic is very smooth, use fine-grit sandpaper to roughen the surface. If the plastic is already scratched, you can skip this step. Then, wash the plastic with mild soap and water and let it dry completely.
Next, you'll want to prime the plastic. Spread out newspaper to cover your work area, as well as the walls and floor, as spray paint can spread. Put on safety gear, such as safety glasses and work gloves. Spray two coats of plastic primer onto the plastic surface, allowing 15 minutes of drying time between coats. Let the second coat dry completely for at least an hour. You can use either clear or black primer, depending on your desired effect. Black primer can create a deeper metallic look and help you see thin areas in the paint more easily.
Once the primer is dry, you can apply the metallic paint. If using spray paint, spray one thorough coat of paint onto the plastic surface, followed by a second lighter coat to fill in any thin spots. Allow the paint to dry for up to 24 hours before use. If using a paintbrush, dip the tip of the brush into the paint and dab it onto a paper plate until the paint is dry enough to leave subtle brush strokes. Apply the paint with light strokes that go back and forth, mostly in the same general direction. Focus on the edges and areas that would see a lot of wear.
To create a distressed metal look, you can use a dry brush technique with non-metallic paint over the metallic base. Apply the paint with distinct edges in mostly oval or circular shapes on areas of wear. For an even more distressed look, you can use a tiny bit of Rub N Buff, a wax that contains metallic powder, on the edges and areas that would come into frequent contact with surroundings.
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Create a distressed metal effect
To create a distressed metal effect on plastic, you can follow these steps:
First, decide on the look you want. If you want the plastic to look like it is mostly bare metal with distressed parts, you will need to cover the entire surface in metallic paint. For this, you can use spray paint or a brush. If you want to create a distressed effect in certain places, you can skip this step.
Next, prepare the surface of the plastic. If the plastic is very smooth, use fine-grit sandpaper to roughen the surface. If the plastic is already scratched, you can skip this step. Wash the plastic with mild soap and water, then dry it with a paper towel or let it air dry.
Now, you can apply primer. Primer will help the paint adhere better and can be sprayed or brushed on. You can use gray primer, which will give a matte finish, or black primer, which will help you see thin spots in the paint more easily. Allow the primer to dry for at least one hour.
Once the primer is dry, you can start creating the distressed effect. If you used gray primer, rub a thin coat of chalkboard paint on the surface and immediately wipe it off with a rag. If you used black primer, you can rub silver paint onto the primer with a clean cloth, building up layers until you achieve the desired coverage.
To create a distressed look, use the dry brush technique. Dip a flat brush into your chosen metallic paint so that only the tip has paint on it, then dab the brush on a paper plate until the paint is dry enough to leave subtle brush strokes. Paint along the edges and areas that would see a lot of wear, allowing the brush strokes to go in the same general direction. For an even more distressed look, use a small amount of Rub N' Buff wax, which contains metallic powder, on the edges and areas that would come into frequent contact with surroundings.
Finally, to enhance the distressed effect, you can create artificial chips in the paint. Use masking fluid, rubber cement, petroleum jelly, or mustard to cover the areas you want to chip, then paint over them. Remove the substance to reveal the artificial chip. For a more pronounced effect, use a black wash (black paint diluted with water) over the entire item to deepen the steps between the layers.
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Apply paint with the dry brush technique
To achieve the dry brush technique, start by taking a flat brush and dipping only the very tip into your chosen paint. You can use a brush with synthetic bristles, which tend to be more suitable for this technique. Next, dab the brush onto a paper plate until the paint is dry enough or spread thinly along the bristles. This step is crucial, as it ensures that you can apply the paint with subtle brush strokes that leave behind the marks of the bristles.
When you begin painting, use light, gentle strokes that go back and forth along the edges and areas that would typically experience wear and tear. It is generally best to maintain the same direction with your brush strokes for a more uniform finish. Be careful not to overdo it, as less is more with this technique.
If you're aiming for a specific type of wear, such as the appearance of years of rubbing against clothing or other surfaces, you can use a small amount of Rub N Buff. This product is perfect for creating realistic metal effects and can be applied to edges and areas that would frequently come into contact with other objects.
For a more textured look, you can also try using a stiff-bristled brush and a pouncing technique. This involves dipping the brush into the paint and then gently pressing it onto the surface, lifting it slightly, and repeating to create a dappled effect. This can be useful for creating the appearance of aged metal with a more uneven surface.
Remember, when using the dry brush technique, it's important to work in layers, gradually building up the desired effect. You can always add more paint, but it's harder to remove it once applied. So, take your time, and don't be afraid to experiment to achieve the perfect aged metal look.
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Use a black wash to add depth
To make a plastic item look like distressed metal, you can use a black wash to add depth to the paint job. This is done by diluting black paint with water in a 1:4 ratio. This mixture is then applied over the entire item, which helps to make the steps between the layers of paint more deep and pronounced. This technique can be used to make plastic look like old or rusty metal.
The black wash technique can be used in conjunction with other methods to create a distressed metal look. For example, you can create artificial chips in the paint by using masking fluid or other materials such as rubber cement, petroleum jelly, or mustard. By applying thick coats of paint and then peeling away the layers, you can create a quarry-type effect. Changing the colours of each layer, especially between the primer and topcoat, will enhance the overall effect.
Additionally, you can use a spray bottle to create a random patina pattern. This technique works best on flat, level items. Spray the item with water to create a generous amount of beading, and then apply a flat black spray paint over the surface. Once the paint is dry, you can absorb the water with a paper towel. This method creates a realistic rusted metal appearance.
Another option for creating a distressed metal look is to use reactive metal paints, which contain metal flakes that can be activated to produce rust or other oxidised patina effects. By combining these various techniques, such as the black wash, artificial chipping, and patina creation, you can achieve a highly convincing aged metal appearance on plastic items.
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Prime with grey or black primer
To achieve the look of aged metal on a plastic surface, priming with grey or black primer is an essential step. The primer will not only help the subsequent paint layers adhere better, but it will also create the base for the desired metallic effect.
When choosing a primer colour, consider the final look you wish to achieve. Grey primer, such as the Rust-Oleum Automotive Filler Primer Spray Paint, can be an excellent choice for a matte finish. It sticks well to plastic and provides a neutral base for the metallic paint. If you opt for grey primer, ensure the paint is thoroughly dry before proceeding to the next step.
On the other hand, black primer can enhance the depth of the metallic finish. It provides a darker base that allows the silver paint to stand out, creating a more pronounced metal effect. Black primer also helps in identifying thin spots in the paint, making it easier to achieve even coverage.
To apply the primer, it is recommended to use the spray paint method. Cover your work area, including the walls and floor, with newspaper to protect them from the spray. Don safety gear, such as safety glasses and work gloves, to protect yourself from the paint particles. Spray two complete coats of plastic primer onto the surface, allowing 15 minutes between each coat. Let the second coat of primer dry completely for at least an hour before moving on to the next step.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use either silver or light grey paint to make plastic look like aged metal. You can also use black paint to create a deeper metallic look.
You will need paintbrushes, fine-grit sandpaper, mild soap, paper towels, safety glasses, work gloves, newspaper, and primer.
If the plastic surface is smooth, use fine-grit sandpaper to roughen it up. Then, wash the plastic with mild soap and water and let it air-dry completely.
First, spread out newspaper to cover your work area, as spray paint can spread to walls and floors. Next, spray two coats of primer onto the plastic surface, waiting 15 minutes between coats. Let the second coat of primer dry completely for at least an hour. Then, spray one thorough coat of silver paint, waiting an hour before applying a second lighter coat to fill in any thin spots. Allow the paint to dry for up to 24 hours.
To create a distressed metal effect, use a dry brush technique with metallic paint. Apply the paint with distinct edges in oval or circular shapes on areas that would see a lot of wear, such as edges and prominent features. For an aged metal effect, rub black wax onto the painted surface with a lint-free cloth.
