Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Preparing the Plastic Surface for Painting
• Method 2 of 3: Primer and paint plastic garden furniture
• Method 3 of 3: Painting plastic indoor furniture
• Warnings

Plastic furniture is usually very easy to paint. Plastic sun loungers and other garden furniture are especially paintable. Indoor plastic furniture can also be repainted, but requires higher quality paint. Follow the instructions in the article, and soon you will be able to relax on the freshly painted trendy furniture!

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Preparing the Plastic Surface for Painting

1. 1 Clean your furniture. Fill a bucket with hot water. Add an ammonia-based cleaner to it to remove mold or mildew from old furniture. Run a sponge over the entire surface of the object to be painted. Spray the furniture with a hose. Use a pressure boosting attachment, if you have one. Make sure to spray every corner of the furniture from different angles to get the proper rinsing.
   • To clean a new plastic product, wipe it with a cloth dampened in paint thinner.
   • If the furniture is not too dirty, use an all-purpose cleaner such as dishwashing detergent.
   • Dry the furniture with a cotton towel and air dry. Do not continue until the furniture is completely dry.
2. 2 Protect other surfaces. Choose an area with good ventilation to paint your furniture. For this purpose, a garage with an open door or a flat surface on the street is ideal. Lay material on the floor that is safe to splash with paint, such as newspaper or tarp. Use masking tape to cover areas of furniture that you do not plan to repaint.
   • For example, if you only want to paint the countertop, glue the top of each leg over.
3. 3 Sand the surface of the furniture. If the object to be painted has already been repainted, it will need to be lightly sanded. Sanding the plastic surface will give the primer and paint better adhesion to the furniture. Use fine sandpaper or a sanding sponge and gently rub over the entire surface of the furniture.
   • Check the sanding result on an inconspicuous area of ​​the furniture. If visible scratches start to appear on the furniture, reduce the pressure on the object or use a finer grit sander.
   • After sanding, wipe the surface of the furniture with a dust-collecting cloth to remove dust.
   • If the furniture was originally smooth, go for a primer.Old furniture that has been exposed to the sun may be ready to paint after cleaning and drying. New plastic furniture probably won't be damaged by a light sanding.

Method 2 of 3: Primer and paint plastic garden furniture

1. 1 Consider priming your surface. A clean, dry and smooth surface is perfectly suitable for applying a primer. Although there is a special spray paint primer for plastic surfaces, use a primer alone if you want to paint furniture in shades that plastic materials cannot. Choose a primer for plastics and outdoor applications.
   • You will find it in a spray can at your local hardware store. Shake the can and spray the primer all over the surface to be painted.
   • Apply the primer in even reciprocating movements, holding the can nozzle 30–45 cm from the surface of the object.
2. 2 Apply a coat of spray paint. Use a combination paint-primer for plastic or pre-coat the surface with a primer for plastic. It is recommended to use satin paint for painting plastic surfaces. Hold the can upright, holding the nozzle 30 cm from the surface. Spray evenly over the entire surface with wide strokes.
3. 3 Let the first coat dry completely. When the paint is dry, assess the need for another coat. The decision is up to you. If you've used aerosol primer paint, you'll likely need to apply at least one more coat. If you are happy with the results of the painting, leave the furniture to dry for 24 hours before further use. Do not peel off the masking tape until the item is completely dry!

Method 3 of 3: Painting plastic indoor furniture

1. 1 Sand the surface of the furniture. Prepare the surface of your furniture by rinsing it with warm water and an all-purpose cleaner. When the furniture is dry, smooth out any visible scuffs on the plastic surface with fine-grained sandpaper. Sand the rest of the furniture for a better primer adhesion.
2. 2 Use a latex paint primer. Apply a single coat of latex paint primer. This will ensure that the paint adheres to the furniture. Since paint adheres less well to plastics than to other materials, the adhesion primer plays an important role in the wear resistance of the top coat.
3. 3 Use 100% acrylic latex interior paint. If you are painting a piece of furniture that will sit in your home, choose a paint that is less likely to give off odor or fumes. In addition, this type of ink is more stain resistant and therefore easier to clean.
   • Give your furniture a satin or semi-gloss finish.
   • This type of paint has more shades in liquid form. Ask the salesperson at your local hardware store for a sample of the paint you like. It should be enough to cover the plastic chair.
   • Use a synthetic brush or soak in water overnight before using.

Warnings

• Wear safety goggles and a respirator when sanding, priming or painting. If you are using spray paint, be sure to wear a respirator.