When you have something made of plastic, it’s easy to believe it will remain the same for a lifetime. However, that just isn’t so. Plastic items can easily become tarnished. Using a good can of spray paint is the simplest way to change the look of your plastic household item with ease.
Plastic spray paint is great for plastic furniture restoration when you don’t have the latest and best paint sprayer for furniture laying around. Maybe you’ve got a garden chair that is starting to fade in color. Perhaps you just bought some new patio furniture and you want to give its own unique style.
It can be used on cabinets that are starting to fade as well. But if you are asking yourself what is the best spray paint for plastic then here we have compiled a list to help you on your way.
Don’t have time to read the full post? Don’t worry! Here are our top 3 Best spray paints for plastic;
- fast-drying
- Brilliant metallic finishes
- use on wood
- Dries in 15 minutes
- 400ml spray cans
- Great coverage
- High pressure paint
- winter proof
- Indoor/outdoor use
- No sanding required
- Dry to touch
- No priming required
Best Spray Paint For Plastic
When painting plastic it can sometimes be hard to find the spray paint that sticks to plastic without scratching off the next day. We’ve compiled a list of the best so you don’t have to search night and day for the right one. Here are the top 5 best spray paints for plastic:
1. Krylon K05151902 ColorMaster
The Krylon K05151902 ColorMaster is a smooth metallic finish. This can handle plastic, along with many other surfaces. The Krylon K05151902 ColorMaster can provide you with a smooth finish on wood, wicker or plastic, it is also one of the best spray paints for metal.
It comes in a few different options depending on what you’re needing: gloss, metallic, satin, matte, flat, semi-flat, semi-gloss, or primer. The Krylon K05151902 ColorMaster comes with an EZ touch spray tip on the canister. It can also be used to spray paint wood.
This spray paint nozzle feature helps to prevent dripping and also helps to give you more control and an easier time spraying. This may not seem that important, however, when you’re doing a lot of painting with a regular can of paint, it can start to run down the can after a while causing not only a mess but also a risk of dripping onto your surface.
This is also a good choice as paint for outdoor plastic as well as indoors.
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Pros
- 15 minutes to dry
- Can use on wood, plastic, wicker or metal
- Doesn’t drip (EZ touch spray tip)
- Smooth metallic finish
- Quick coverage
- Can withstand harsh weather conditions
- Good for indoor/outdoor use
Cons
- Paint won’t stick as well if your plastic’s not prepared properly
- Metallic is not as shiny as you might expect
- Can look grainy or matte if you don’t layer enough coats
- Not as glossy as expected
When using the Krylon K05151902 ColorMaster you may find that you end up with a grainy or matte look when doing just one coat. For some people this is the look they’re wanting, however for some this can be a bit of a problem.
If this is a problem for you and what you’re wanting is a perfect glossy look, just make sure to apply a couple of coats and that should help add the extra shine. Ensure that each coat has at least 15 minutes to dry in between.
2. Rust-Oleum 1910830 Spray Paint
The Rust-Oleum 1910830 is an impressive paint as it has real metal flakes, unlike many others. The metal flakes make the finish look wonderful on plastic but only after you’ve prepared the plastic’s coating.
This can also be used on metal, wood, plaster, or unglazed ceramic. The Rust-Oleum 1910830 comes in gold, silver, copper, and brass giving you some variety. When selecting the right color, keep in mind that the silver is a little bit darker than most.
Also, note that the gold color seems to be the brightest color out of the four choices. It’s always best to do a test spray on a piece of cardboard before you start the job to see the full color.
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Pros
- Bright metallic shine
- Has real metal flakes in it
- Provides depth and contrast
- Dries in 15 minutes
- Comes in gold, silver, copper, and brass
- Reflective
- Works on plastic, metal, wood, plaster, or unglazed ceramic
Cons
- Can’t use a clear topcoat with this
- The silver is duller than the other colors
The Rust-Oleum 1910830 Spray Paint typically dries within 15 minutes. However, when you’re applying multiple coats it’s important to give at least one hour between coats.
Another thing to keep in mind when using this option is that it won’t look as good if you are wanting to use a clear topcoat as clear topcoats tend to weaken this spray paint and can dull the color down.
3. Montana BLACK Set of 12 Graffiti Fluorescent
This set of 12 Montana BLACK Fluorescent Spray Paints is perfect for murals, graffiti art, or really any DIY project with plastic. These 12 vibrant colors come in infrared, infra pink, infra orange, infra violet, infra yellow, and infra green. You get two of each color which is plenty to complete a project or finish an art piece.
These can even be used alongside acrylic without any problems. The best part about these paints is that they can handle harsh weather conditions. This makes them ideal for graffiti as they will last through the winter and heavy rain.
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Pros
- Vibrant colors
- Good for murals or graffiti art
- Matte finish
- High-pressure nitro-combination
- Dries quick
- Can layer easily to add depth
- Works with acrylic
- Non scented aerosol
- Weatherproof
Cons
- Can sometimes clog (easy to avoid if you read below)
The only downside to these is that like many spray paints, they can sometimes get clogged. To avoid this from happening to you, simply just flip the can upside-down after you use it and spray until no more paint comes out.
By doing this it will remove any particle left in the spray tip and will prevent it from drying up and clogging the nozzle.
4. Krylon K05528007 Colormaxx Spray Paint
The Krylon K05528007 Colormaxx comes in a wide range of unique and trendy colors. These colors are really easy to blend in with your home decor if you’re wanting something to catch the eye and pop.
However, if you’re needing a solid typical color that is generic to the usual color wheel, then this option isn’t for you. It can be used inside or outside as The Krylon K05528007 Colormaxx Spray Paint colors are fade resistant. You won’t have to worry about the look changing over time even through harsh weather.
The big button spray tip helps to give you that extra control when you’re spraying tricky plastic parts and the control that you get from this allows for a good range to also be covered.
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Pros
- Several trendy colors to choose from
- Big button spray tip
- Fade-resistant colors
- Indoor/outdoor durability
- Dries in 10 minutes
- Good for plastic, metal, wood, paper mache, glass, fabric, paper, ceramic, and plaster
Cons
- Can sometimes drip (if you do several layers)
- Unique colors, hard to match if using typical shades
If you’re needing to do several coats the Krylon K05528007 Colormaxx Spray Paint might not be for you, since it can sometimes drip if too many layers are applied. To avoid this just make sure to wait at least 10 minutes, if not longer for multiple layers, between coats and always do your prep work before applying.
5. Krylon K02732007 Fusion All-In-One Spray Paint
The Krylon K02732007 Fusion is a unique one since it doesn’t require the same preparation that most of the other sprays do. This particular option doesn’t need the surface of the plastic to be sanded down or scuffed up before applying.
You’re able to skip that prep work and save a lot of time without having to lessen the quality of the finish. The Krylon K02732007 Fusion is able to dry in 25 minutes or less and it can be used inside or outside since it’s weatherproof.
This also conveniently comes in different finishes of black, gloss, satin, flat, hammered, matte, and textured, making it easy to find the right option that you need for your project.
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Pros
- Gloss black, satin black, flat black, hammered black, matte black, and textured black finishes
- Dries in 25 minutes or less
- Indoor/outdoor
- Durable
- Easy spray tip
- Strong adhesion
- Bonds to plastic
- Plastic doesn’t need to be sanded down before application
Cons
- Might need more than one application
- Paint could bubble up if you do too many coats
The Krylon K02732007 Fusions’ ability to bond to plastic is better than some of the other sprays making it on our list for the best paint for plastic and easiest to use. However, if you are doing several coats you may want to scuff up the surface to avoid the paint from creating bubble air pockets.
However, you won’t run into this issue with one coat as it bonds really well but worth bearing this in mind if you’re planning a project that requires several coats.
Buyers Guide: How to Paint Plastic with Spray Paint
Sand Down the Old Coat First
It’s important to keep in mind that the preparation before spraying is what can make all the difference in it lasting or not. If you are repainting a plastic item, you will need to make sure that you strip the old paint first before applying the new.
You’ll want to sand your plastic down or scruff up the top coating. By doing this beforehand it will help the paint to adhere better because removes the protective layer that the plastic has on it. Using sanding paper, a scotch bright pad or the rough side of a sponge will do the trick.
Protect Your Eyes & Mouth
Once you’ve done the work to sand it down you’ll want to head to a well-ventilated area, preferably outside. This will make sure you not only don’t get overspray anywhere inside the home but will also allow the fumes to disperse so you don’t breathe in any nasty chemicals.
Spray paint is just as toxic as most other types you can find nowadays. Just because it’s easier to layer on doesn’t mean it isn’t as potent.
Make sure you cover your eyes with goggles before starting. It is recommended you use a respirator that covers your mouth as well to make sure you aren’t breathing the chemicals or paint particles in.
Remember to wear clothes that you don’t mind getting mucky, having a “renovation outfit” to throw on is a good idea if you’ll be doing lots of spray DIY projects at home.
Test Your Paint Before You Start
After you’re geared up, put a cloth or tarp down underneath whatever item you’re painting. The final thing you’ll want to do is a test spray. Get a piece of cardboard and spray away.
If you want to be extra cautious and have the time, you can wait until it fully dries to see how it coats. This will also give you a good idea of the true color.
Take Your Time, Layer by Layer
At this point, you’ll be all ready to start. Make sure you take your time to make sure you’re applying the paint evenly. Depending on the type of plastic you’re painting it may require a few different layers before the color is fully set.
Start with 1 layer. You’ll be able to see if it needs another based on how it sets. It can take anything from 30 minutes to an hour for the paint to fully dry, depending on not only the type of plastic but also the paint you’re using.
Bonus Tip: Apply a Primer
If you want to give your plastic item a sheen look, then you can apply a top coat seal or primer afterwards. It’s a great way to add that extra touch of professionalism and it will help fortify the paint to make it last longer.
