The shiny surface of plastic is difficult for standard primers and paints to adhere to. Plastic primers and paints have excellent adhesion properties to help combat this.
No paint will adhear to Silicone, Nylon or Telflon plastics. Paint stick or not based on its ability to form molecular bonds with the plastic. Cheap craft store acrylic paint will stick very poorly to bare plastic of any kind and will need a special plastic primer to give it a chance to stick to a few plastics.
To paint plastic effectively, you must have a good-quality paint and primer that will both ensure you get long-lasting, beautiful results. When it comes to paint for plastic, our experts always recommend Zinsser Allcoat Exterior as the best, especially for the average DIY'er.
If the plastic is nice and rigid it will stick well to it. If you're worried about the paint chipping/peeling you can definitely use a spray primer first, paint and then seal with a varnish. I would also recommend adding some fabric medium to your paint if the plastic is flexible so it won't crack.
Plastic resists paint adhesion. Some plastics more than others. There are tricks to make it possible but it is still problematic. You can abraid the plastic and/or flame-treat it. It takes experimentation. Instead of trying to get the plastic to accept paint, just start with a wood frame instead.
Prime the Surface
If painting interior plastics, apply a high-adhesion latex stain-blocking primer. For outdoor plastics, spray-prime with specialized primers formulated specifically for adhesion to plastics.
With our Matt Varnish acrylic lacquer, you also have the option of painting your plastic without a primer. Especially on surfaces that are hardly exposed to stress, such as doors or window frames, you can usually do without a sealant.
You'll need to apply a coat of primer, preferably one that bonds well. This will help even out the surface of the plastic and give the paint something to stick to. The spray-on kind would be the easiest to use, but you can get the brush-on kind as well. Let the primer dry completely before proceeding.
ColorBond LVP spray paint for plastic can be used on both hard and soft plastics. ColorBond is a molecular bonding paint that penetrates deep and is used to correct and restore vinyl, and plastic. ColorBond won't flake, crack or peel and is durable while still allowing the original texture to show through.
Acrylic paint is a water-based paint that is popular for use on plastic surfaces. It is easy to clean up, dries quickly, and is available in a wide range of colors. Acrylic paint is also resistant to fading and chalking, making it a great choice for outdoor projects.
These sprays are ideal for use on polypropylene, polystyrene, resin, PVC, fiberglass, and vinyl plastics such as chairs, tables, and planters. TIP: Some plastics made of polyethylene such as plastic storage containers are manufactured in a way that may hinder maximum paint adhesion.
Use an airtight container.
Use airtight glass jars or lidded mason jars to store paint for years.
What paint doesn't wash off plastic? Oil-based and enamel paints are most resistant to washing off plastic, especially when used with a plastic-compatible primer and sealed with a clear coat.
New Unprimed Parts. Painting new unprimed plastic first requires a thorough cleaning of the part: soap and water washing, removing mold release agents, chemical cleaning and inspection are all parts of the pre-sanding cleaning. The part must be sanded and cleaned, then anti-static and/or adhesion promoter is applied.
Strong adhesion
The shiny surface of plastic is difficult for standard primers and paints to adhere to. Plastic primers and paints have excellent adhesion properties to help combat this.
you can typically ROUGH UP the SURFACE of the plastic which in turn should allow for an excellent PRIMER adhesion… upon which a more permanent paint can be used. It is all about the PRIMER.
Yes, all types of paint go bad eventually. A previously opened can of paint lasts 5 years on average if properly sealed and stored.
This is because the ultra smooth surface of the plastic, resin, or metal miniature is too smooth for the paint to adhere to. If you paint with an acrylic paint directly on top of a plastic, resin, or metal model, you won't get a good result and will have a hard time getting the paint to even stick to the surface.
Yes, you can paint over plastic. Make sure you check the paint you intend to use, as most will say what surfaces they are intended for.
From my interpretation of your question, you are looking for a clear primer or adhesion promoter. PlastiCote makes a product they call clear primer and adhesion promoter. Rustoleum makes a clear primer spray as well. Both products are intended for automotive use, but are claimed to work well on most plastics.
The most common cause of paint peeling (or delamination) is due to inadequate surface preparation. In the case of plastics, you also need to consider the surface tension of the plastic and the surface tension of the primer coating (1st layer). The second most common reason for peeling is solvent entrapment.
Wipe all stains with a damp sponge. If any stain remains, apply Soft Scrub with a damp sponge, work in a circular motion and rinse. If stain persists saturate a cotton ball with alcohol and blot the stain and rinse.
Lightly sanding the surface helps to remove any existing gloss, roughen the surface slightly, and create a better bond for the adhesion spray paint. Additionally, applying a primer or sealer to the surface further enhances adhesion by providing a suitable base for the adhesive paint.