We evaluated paints for plastic based on their adhesion ability, range of colors and finishes, smoothness of application, and ease of use. Here are our favorite paints for plastic. Krylon Fusion All-in-One’s wide colors selection ranges from neutrals to brights to black and white. Choose from matte, satin, or gloss finishes. Several specialty finishes include clear, metallic, hammered, and textured. All dry to the touch in around 20 minutes without running, dripping, or bubbling, and are dry to handle within two hours. The paint sprays at whatever angle you need, even when holding the can upside down. The larger-than-average spray button makes it an easy finger press. Use Fusion All-in-One for interior or exterior projects, but always spray it in a well-ventilated area. One 12-ounce can covers up to 25 feet. As most paints that adhere to plastic, the base of this paint is an alkyd, which is similar to oil, so any cleanup requires a solvent, not plain water. Price at time of publish: $12 Behr Premium includes primer right in the formulation, so no need for lengthy prep sessions before you start painting. It dries quickly as well; expect your project to be dry to the touch within 15 minutes. You can use the paint for interior or exterior projects, but always use it in a well-ventilated area. A 12-ounce can covers up to 15 feet. As this is an oil-based paint, you need a solvent for any cleanup. Price at time of publish: $6 You can choose from many colors, as well as multiple finishes, including flat, gloss, satin, pearl, metallic, and hammered. All dry to the touch within 30 minutes. This is an oil-based paint, so you need a solvent for any required cleanup, although spray paint typically doesn’t require much. Each 12-ounce can covers up to 15 feet. Price at time of publish: $13 With a sheen that resembles real metal plating, the paint excellently adheres and covers plastic, along with many other materials, including wood, paper, ceramic, glass, wicker, metal, and plaster. It dries to the touch in just 15 minutes and is ready to be handled in an hour or so. Each can covers up to 20 square feet. Price at time of publish: $13 The kit contains two 31-ounce cans of high-quality paint that requires no primer yet provides excellent adhesion and coverage over laminate, wood, and metal surfaces. It’s enough paint to cover up to 100 square feet, which is sufficient for most average-sized kitchens, and it’s low-VOC, water-based, low-odor, and safe for use inside the house. You also get a roller frame, two roller covers, a two-inch paintbrush, two stir sticks, and full instructions. Price at time of publish: $115 The paint sprayer’s large, conical nozzle makes it easy to angle the can to reach tight angles or areas inside the car. You can choose from several colors, including most of the common colors used for car interiors, including black, tan, gray, white, silver, and red. It won’t give you that new-car smell, but this paint is a good way to improve the looks of your ride. Price at time of publish: $20 These high-quality acrylic paints cover plastic very smoothly, but you need to prime the plastic prior to painting. Once that’s done, however, your hardest task is deciding which color to use first: The set includes 39 colors, ranging from neutrals to brights; five metallics; four Quickshade Washes for adding shadowy tints of color; and two effects paints. (One is the color of rust, and the other is titled “Glistening Blood.”) You also get a high-quality paintbrush and a guide to painting miniatures. A great way to start or add to a hobby. Price at time of publish: $150 The primer is built right into the formula, so no need to waste time priming before you paint. It dries to the touch in just 10 minutes, so you can redecorate in the morning and display your creation in the afternoon. The paint covers excellently and adheres without fading, flaking, chipping, or rusting over plastic, wood, metal, wicker, paper, glass, and ceramics. Price at time of publish: $9 Along with plastic, this spray paint adheres beautifully to wood, wicker, and metal, so you can use it for a multitude of painting projects. The primer is built in, meaning less prep time before getting started. The large, angled nozzle sprays in any direction—even upside down—without tiring your hand. It dries to the touch in 20 minutes, and one can covers up to 12 square feet. Price at time of publish: $7 The durable, scratch-proof finish doesn’t fade, and it is suited to interior or exterior use. So go ahead and paint furniture, fences, toys, decor, and just about anything else you can think of, with one of the 10 beautiful, satin-finish colors. Each comes in a 32-ounce can, so you should have plenty of paint for your project. Along with plastic, you can use this paint on wood, tile, ceramic, metal, glass, brick, masonry, and drywall. Price at time of publish: $15 With a wide range of bright colors, neutrals, black, white, and even metallics, this is a great way to add some fun to decor in a child’s bedroom, liven up holiday ornaments, decorate a thrift-store find, or even add some whimsy to plastic furniture. Because the glitter can wear off with use, though, it’s best to apply a finishing coat of Krylon’s Glitter Blast Clear Sealer if you expect the painted item to get much wear and tear. The paint dries to the touch in 20 minutes and is fully dry in 24 hours. Price at time of publish: $9 for Sapphire Shimmer Blue, 5.75 oz
Color
Think of any color, and chances are, a spray paint matches that hue. You can find paints for plastic in just about any color you might desire, including white, black, neutrals, primary colors, super-brights, on-trend colors, and metallics that look just like real metal. In fact, the hardest part of choosing a paint for use over plastic is deciding on the color you like best.
Sheen
Paints for plastics come in a variety of different sheens—also called “finishes”—ranging from ultra-matte to high-gloss. Of course, you also can find in-between sheens, such as satin, semi-gloss, and eggshell. Some spray paints feature specialty sheens, including pearl, textured, hammered, and metallic. Your choice of sheen is a matter of preference and style, but typically, it’s easier to wipe glossy surfaces clean, while matte paint does a better job of covering imperfect or rough surfaces.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Michelle Ullman, the tool expert for The Spruce. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs around the house and yard.
As for the form of paint, most paints for use on plastic are spray paints, which do a good job of laying down an even coat of color over materials with smooth surfaces such as plastic. Still, you can opt for brush-on paints for plastic if you prefer. For this roundup, Michelle considered dozens of spray paints that work on plastics and evaluated each for performance, ease of use, durability, and color range. She also considered feedback from customers, as well as her own experiences carrying out numerous DIY projects.
