Welcome to the Thomas guide to the best paint for plastic 2023. Thomas has been connecting North American industrial buyers and suppliers for more than 120 years. When you purchase products through our independent recommendations, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Painting a plastic surface can go horribly wrong if the right paint is not used. This is because most plastics contain chemicals that prevent regular paint from adhering to it. To avoid disappointment when attempting a DIY project involving painting plastic, as well as painter’s mask, painter’s tape, overalls, and a protective plastic sheet, you’ll need paint that is suitable for plastic surfaces.
Special paint is required to paint on plastic surfaces and achieve superior results
Image credit: Shutterstock/New Africa
Plastic-friendly paint can come in handy for a number of different DIY projects, from repairing the paintwork on plastic fencing, and upgrading outdoor plastic lawn furniture, to repainting storage containers.
There are even specially formulated paints for interior plastic car parts and miniature toys. Whatever the plastic item that you want to revamp, getting a good quality product will help to make painting plastic a breeze.
The Best Paint for Plastic—Buying Guide
When it comes to choosing the right paint for the plastic painting project at hand, there are a few considerations to keep in mind first.
Considerations for Painting Plastic
Before delving into our top picks, consider some of the useful points and tips put together in this brief buying guide.
Surface size
Perhaps the first important thing to consider is the size of the plastic surface that is going to be painted. Most plastic-friendly paints will be in the form of spray paints which are great for large surface areas. For smaller items though, spray paints might not be as ideal and it would probably be better to use a brush-on paint.
Preparation
Like with any paint project, preparation is key. When choosing a paint, it would be useful to consider whether the plastic surface will need to be prepared first. Some paints require plastic surfaces to be sanded first with fine-grit sandpaper or a liquid sander, which ensures that the paint sticks to the surface well.
It is also always important to ensure the surface is completely dry and clean before attempting to paint on it. Rubbing alcohol can help with this. Finally, safety is very important when it comes to painting, especially as many multi-surface paints are oil-based and contain solvents with high VOCs that can be harmful if inhaled. Always paint in a well-ventilated area, and wear the correct PPE.
Thomas’ Top Picks for the Best Paint for Plastic 2023
Don’t paint plastic furniture with any old paint; grab one of the best paints for plastic from our top picks below.
Best Overall Paint for Plastic: Rust-Oleum Specialty Spray Paint for Plastic | Buy Now
Best Alternative Paint for Plastic: Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch Spray Paint | Buy Now
Best Spray Paint for Plastic: Krylon Fusion All-In-One Spray Paint | Buy Now
Best for Indoor and Outdoor Projects: BEHR Spray Paint and Primer | Buy Now
Best Automotive Plastic Spray Paint: Rust-Oleum Paint for Plastic Spray | Buy Now
Best Detailing Paint for Plastic: Zenacolor Indoor-Outdoor Acrylic Paint Set | Buy Now
Best Paint for Artistic Projects on Plastic: Neon Nights Glow-in-The-Dark Paint| Buy Now
Best Paint Pens for Small Plastic Items: Acrylic Paint Markers Set | Buy Now
Best for Army Toys: The Army Painter Miniature Painting Kit | Buy Now
Best Metallic Paint for Plastic: Krylon Premium Metallic Spray Paint| Buy Now
Best Brush-On Paint Option: Majic PAINTS Interior/Exterior Satin Paint | Buy Now
Best Budget Option: GLIDDEN MAX FLEX All Surface Spray Paint and Primer | Buy Now
Scroll down to read more about these top picks for the best plastic paint for refreshing plastic surfaces, according to many happy buyers.
*Prices listed in this article were as shown in US$ on amazon.com (USA) and homedepot.com as of January 2023
1. Best Overall Paint for Plastic—Rust-Oleum Specialty Spray Paint for Plastic
Rust-Oleum’s oil-based paint spray is specially formulated for use on PVC, polypropylene, vinyl plastics, and more. With its superior adhesion properties, thespray painteasily sticks to a number of different plastic surfaces without the need to apply a primer coat to the plastic prior to painting it. One can cover up to ten square feet, and so will be ideal for outdoor furniture such as tables, chairs, and even plastic fences.
Available in a number of different colors, this spray has a gloss finish that will spruce up any old piece of furniture. “Great color, durable too,” wrote one happy reviewer. “Covered up two plastic resin side tables. They look great and it was very easy to spray them with this paint,” they added.
2. Best Alternative Paint for Plastic—Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch Paint Spray
Another great option for painting plastic is Rust-Oleum’s 2X Ultra Cover Paint spray. The paint acts as both a primer and a paint, and is ideal for multiple surfaces including plastic. The oil-based formula provides a long-lasting finish and is available in a range of colors and finishes too, including high gloss, semi-gloss, and matte.
“Surprised at how quickly this primer/paint combo adheres to surfaces,” wrote one satisfied customer. “Really happy with the coverage. I ordered a few more to finish the project. Highly recommend.”
3. Best Spray Paint for Plastic—Krylon Fusion All-In-One Spray Paint
Made for a number of different surface types, including PVC, the Krylon Fusion All-In-One spray will be able to tackle those difficult-to-cover plastic surfaces with its fast-drying formula. The anti-rust properties of the paint make it particularly ideal for outdoor furniture, and the paint can be easily applied, from any direction, with the large spray tip.
“This worked perfectly to give new life to my eight-year-old patio set,” wrote one happy customer. “It bonded well and has a nice shine,” they explained, and “the set now looks brand new.”
4. Best for Indoor and Outdoor Projects—BEHR Spray Paint and Primer
Due to its chemical-resistant, oil-based formula, the BEHR PREMIUM spray paint is another excellent, reasonably priced paint, that will adhere to many surfaces, including wood, plastic, glass, and even concrete. Reviewers particularly appreciated the ergonomically-designed bottle, which makes painting plastic a little bit easier.
One shopper advised to “follow directions, and as always have your prep work done and it does exactly what it’s supposed to.” They also added that “for the price, I’d say it’s extremely high quality.”
5. Best Automotive Plastic Spray Paint—Rust-Oleum Paint for Plastic Spray
Made to freshen up worn and dull-looking plastic car parts, Rust-Oleum’s paint for plastic is the perfect paint for many DIY car paint jobs. The spray is designed specifically for indoor and outdoor automotive plastics, so anything from the car lenses to the interior plastic door panels can be restored.
“The results are as good as any factory paint job,” wrote one satisfied shopper. “Saved me a ton of cash. Nice and shiny, fantastic coverage, and no need to even wet sand the final coat as they came out perfectly smooth and flawless.”
6. Best Detailing Paint for Plastic—Zenacolor Indoor-Outdoor Acrylic Paint Set
Anyone who has lived in their own home understands the agony of having a small area of plastic materials peel off and only needing to find the correct color to fix it. But do you always have the necessary materials on hand? You're covered with Zenacolor Indoor-Outdoor acrylic paint set.
These acrylic paints are certified by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) as safe and durable for use on a wide variety of surfaces, including plastic, in addition to being scuff-proof and suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Acrylic paints are available in 20 vibrant colors that will not fade over time, have a high viscosity for flawless coverage, and can be mixed to create the exact color for your detailing needs. This craft paint set includes three brushes of varying sizes.
Summing up customers’ sentiments, this user commented, “The quality of this paint is what made me incredibly happy with my purchase. Dries super quickly and only one coat is needed, unlike some paints that I've purchased. The colors are true to what is pictured, if not better! and so far all colors have held up to the elements (Rain, Heat, Humidity) Extremely Satisfied and would recommend and purchase again.”
7. Best Paint for Artistic Projects on Plastic—Neon Nights Glow-in-The-Dark Paint
The Neon Nights Glow-in-the-Dark paint setis a fantastic addition to your gift list for the artist in your life, whether they are you or a friend. This neon paint is ideal for any arts and crafts project because it is visible both during the day and at night. Keep in mind that this glow paint can be used on most materials, including plastics but not on your skin or face, so don’t get any ideas about wearing it on you when the next big festival comes to town!
These phosphorescent neon acrylic paints charge quickly in sunlight and emit a brilliant, eye-catching glow that is sure to capture the attention of anyone who sees them, and contain eight individual bottles of color: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, and white, each holding 0.7 fluid ounces so that you can paint to your heart’s content.
The general consensus of this set is that it is a valuable addition to your plastic plaint set, but as one customer underlined, “...after highlight-painting the raised edges of our outdoor nativity scene angel figurine and installing a USB powered LED UV-lamp shining down on her, the effect was pretty dramatic,” you can even use it to win your neighborhood’s decoration contest!
Specifications
Surface: Plastics, canvas, wall, wood, metal, stone
8. Best Paint Pens for Small Plastic Items—IRIS & OLIVIA Acrylic Paint Markers Set
If working with much smaller plastic surfaces, it may be best to opt for acrylic pens. The IRIS & OLIVIA acrylic paint marker set features 12 highly pigmented acrylic paint pens that stick well to many surfaces, and are perfect for precision painting work like painting onto plastic cups or glasses. The pens are easy to use and do not require excessive shaking or pressing down of the tip to get the paint out.
“Love these markers,” wrote one happy customer. “They worked great for painting plastic doll shoes, some of the colors are thicker or heavier than others. For example, the yellow takes several coats to show up bright but overall they are just what I was looking for.”
Specifications
Surface: Clothes, rock markers, ceramic, glass, plastic, wood, metal
9. Best for Army Toys—The Army Painter Miniature Painting Kit
Painting plastic miniatures, toys, and game pieces will require a much more specialized set of paints like the Army Painter Miniature painting kit. This set has an impressive selection of high-quality acrylic paints, with a variety of colors. The kit includes a selection of war paint colors, metallics, effect paints, and a detail paint brush along with a useful painting guide.
Suitable for both experienced and novice wargame painters, the easy-to-apply paint requires no primer and comes in a cleverly designed bottle that allows the exact amount of paint to be administered, minimizing waste. “Really good set,” wrote one reviewer. “I'm new to Warhammer and painting miniatures. I got a starter set of Citadel paints which I thought were pretty decent, but this set of paints applies much better and much smoother.”
10. Best Metallic Paints for Plastic—Krylon Premium Metallic Spray Paint
With the Krylon Premium metallic spray, a dull plastic item can be transformed into something really expensive looking for a fraction of the price of having to buy it new and can add those all-important finishing touches to any interior decor project. Whether it’s mirror frames, light switches, sockets, or door handles, the Krylon metallic spray adheres well to most surface types and leaves a deep, high-gloss finish resembling actual metallic plating.
Reviewers mentioned that, for the best results, it is better to use thin coats instead of attempting to paint one thick layer. “Easy to use and the color was exactly what I wanted,” wrote one happy reviewer. “Shockingly good,” wrote another reviewer, who used the paint to faux-chrome plastic car trim pieces.
11. Best Brush-On Paint Option—Majic PAINTS Interior/Exterior Satin Paint
Painting with a spray can be a little tricky for a novice DIYer. Using Majic PAINTS brush-on paint, however, allows for a little more control when painting, taking some of the pressure off. The RePurpose acrylic paint is also ideal for those who prefer to see brush marks on the painted plastic item, for a more rustic look and feel.
With its superior adhesion properties, the product is suitable for most plastics, and, without the need to sand or prime, it can be applied in an easy, one-step process. “Very good, high-quality paint,” wrote one happy buyer. “I painted a piece of furniture with this and couldn’t believe how beautiful the finish came out.”
12. Best Budget Option—GLIDDEN MAX FLEX All Surface Spray Paint and Primer
If you’re looking for a budget paint option that will provide a flawless finish to any plastic object, the GLIDDEN MAX-FLEX paint, with its unique spray pattern, is an ideal choice. This paint not only leaves a factory-like finish, but it is extremely durable and provides excellent coverage. This product requires slightly more prep work compared to other paints but will dry in a rapid five minutes without drips or streaks.
“This Glidden spray paint is of the highest quality,” wrote one reviewer. “It applies just as it claims, with no dripping or running. One coat is all that is needed due to the added primer, and the satin finish gives the coat that subtle sheen that catches the sunlight just right.”
To summarize, if you are looking for a great overall paint specifically made for plastic, we recommend Rust Oleum’s Speciality spray paint for plastic (US$8.78, Amazon). Alternatively, for a brush-on option for those not as confident when it comes to using a spray can, Majic PAINTS satin paint is great for a number of different surfaces, in addition to plastic (US$14.99, Amazon).
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