Acrylic Paint on Plastic – Tips for Coating Polymers

Plastic items are part of our daily lives, from containers to cups, pitchers to plates, and are common to most households. And if yours is a household with kids, you will know that even the most hard-wearing of plastic items start to look shabby after a while. But instead of throwing them in the trash and buying replacements, you can breathe new life into them by painting them. In this article, we are going to discuss painting plastic with acrylic paint, and talk about the best acrylic paint for plastic.

Can You Use Acrylic Paint on Plastic?

Acrylic paint is a wonderful medium that has all the advantages of oil paints and none of the disadvantages. The colors are vibrant, the consistency is thick and smooth, and you can paint in layers just as you would with oil paints. Not only that, but acrylic paints are also available in spray cans which makes your painting job even easier than if you had to use brushes and tubes of paint. But any hobbyist or crafter worth her salt knows that plastic is notoriously difficult to paint. Paint does not adhere easily to the plastic surface because plastic is smooth and non-porous. Right now you are probably asking yourself, “So, will acrylic paint stick to plastic?”

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The answer is no, not if you want to start painting straight away. Unfortunately, the process is not quite as easy as just dipping your brush in paint and starting to paint. There are certain preparations you need to make before you can start painting, but you should not let that put you off. It is not a lengthy or complicated process, nor is it expensive. That being said, there are a few types of plastic that cannot be painted even if you prepare them beforehand. Nothing made of polypropylene can be painted. If you are not sure what polypropylene is, look for the recycling logo, a triangle with the number 5 in the middle of it.

There are other polypropylene items that have different numbers, and these numbers determine whether the plastic can be painted with acrylic paint or not.

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Items numbered 1, 3, 6, and 7 are not polypropylene and therefore can be painted, while polypropylene items 2, 4, and 5 cannot. Some examples of the items you can paint include flower pots, kids’ toys, picnic plates, bowls and cups, storage containers, heavy-duty plastic baskets, and even outdoor furniture. Let us have a look now at the preparations you need to make before you can start painting, after which we will discuss acrylic painting on plastic in detail.

Painting Plastic with Acrylic Paint

As we mentioned earlier, because plastic is smooth and non-porous it cannot be painted directly because the paint will not stick to the plastic’s surface. You have to prepare the surface before you can apply a primer or a base coat. The base coat or primer is paint that has been specifically designed for use on plastic surfaces. Then, once you have painted the plastic item you can use a clear sealant to finish the job, although depending on the item you have painted a sealant may not be necessary.

Step 1: Preparing the Plastic Surface

The first step is to clean the item thoroughly, and you can do this just with soap and water. Allow it to dry completely. Once dry, you need to roughen the plastic surface to enable the paint to adhere to it. A piece of sandpaper between 180- and 220-grit is ideal for this purpose.

Having sanded down the plastic item you will need to wipe away all the dust and debris. Use a damp cloth first, then use some rubbing alcohol.

Step 2: Testing the Paint and Primer Compatibility

For the most part, you can safely assume that the primer and paint you are going to use will be compatible with each other. However, some products may be incompatible so it is always a good idea to check beforehand. Here is how you do it.

• Select a plastic item that is the same or similar to the one you are going to paint.
• Apply the primer and let it dry out completely.
• When the primer is dry, you can apply the acrylic paint, then leave it to dry.

• Once the paint has dried, take a kitchen knife and scratch the surface of the plastic item.
• Place a piece of tape over the scratch mark, smooth it down, then pull it off. If the primer and paint are compatible, no paint will come off. If it does, the primer and paint are not compatible.

Step 3: Applying the Primer

There are other paints other than acrylic paint for plastic available on the market that can be applied directly onto the roughened surface of the plastic item without having to apply the primer first. However, acrylic paint on plastic is the best option and for this, you will need to prime the plastic item. Two coats of primer will be sufficient. Primer is available in spray cans and is very easy to apply. It is advisable to work outdoors or, if this is not possible, then in a room that has good ventilation. Be sure to wear a face mask, gloves, and protective eyewear and stand about 20 inches (50 centimeters) away from the item and spray it evenly.

If there are sections of the item that you do not want to paint, you should mask these out using painter’s tape before you start spraying. Allow the item to dry according to the primer’s instructions, or leave it to dry for a few hours. If you would prefer to paint on the primer, this type is also readily available. It is a slower process than spraying the primer, but equally as effective. Apply the primer evenly and let and each layer dry before you apply the next layer.

Follow the primer’s instructions for painting, although the rule of thumb is to apply at least three coats.

The Best Primer for Plastic: KRYLON ColorMaster Primer

Krylon Inc. was established in 1947, and today, some 70 years later, still remains the largest supplier of aerosol paints in the world. That is seven decades of painting expertise! Their ColorMaster range is available in a variety of colors, including a clear aerosol, that can be used on various surfaces including plastic, metal, and wood. It can be used inside or outside, and it dries smoothly and evenly. Besides gloss and matte finishes, Krylon ColorMaster is also available in a satin finish, as well as semi-gloss and semi-flat.

Source: https://gardencourte.com
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