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How to paint outdoor plastic furniture?

Hi Brains Trust

I'd like to upcycle this outdoor bench with paint. Is there a specific paint that's best for this? Could I use Rust-oleum Chalked paint? Still deciding whether to go bright and bold or pastel, but leaning towards pastel today 🙂 Would I need to prime first?

I've also got a couple of chairs that I'd like to paint as well.

Thanks!

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Comments

EricL

Hello @DIYMum

This looks like a fantastic revamp project to be undertaking. However, painting plastic is one of the trickiest things to do. I suggest giving the plastic seat a thorough washdown with dishwashing liquid in combination with a Mr Clean Handheld Iron Scrub Brush. Your goal is to remove all the dirt and debris that's attached itself to the seat.

Once the chair has dried off, I suggest using Dulux 325g Duramax Plastic Primer Spray Paint. Once the primer has hardened you can spray paint it with any colour you like. I also recommend using Rust-Oleum 340g 2X Ultra Cover Paint+Prime Satin Blossom White Spray Paint. It has the primer mixed in so you can use this spray paint directly onto the plastic.

My number one tip for your project is to make sure to expose the seat to the sun so that the paint will harden under UV exposure. If you only air dry the seat in the shade, the paint will take a long time to reach its maximum strength. Please note that the products that I've mentioned will work on many plastic surfaces, but it is always important to test them for compatibility.

Here is a handy link: How to use spray cans

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

DIYMum

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/19449#Comment_19449

Thanks @EricL! I'll pop into my local Bunnings and check out the colours available in the Rust-Oleum 2X Ultra Cover Paint+Prime as it does both jobs at once. Weather may be against me doing it this weekend though 😒

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/72392#Comment_72392

Keep us updated @DIYMum, and please reach out if you need further assistance.

Mitchell

DIYMum

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/99568#Comment_99568

Finally had some good weather and have been able to get this project finished 🙂 For the bench seat I used Rust-Oleum 2x ultra cover primer (https://www.bunnings.com.au/rust-oleum-340g-2x-ultra-cover-flat-white-primer-spray-paint_p1580676), followed by two coats of Rust-Oleum chalked in blush pink (https://www.bunnings.com.au/rust-oleum-887ml-chalked-ultra-matt-paint_p1580860) using a spray gun and sealed with Rust-Oleum 2x Ultra Cover Satin (https://www.bunnings.com.au/rust-oleum-298g-2x-ultra-cover-satin-clear-spray-paint_p1580817). For the charis I went with Rust-Oleum 2x Ultra Cover Paint+Prime Seaside (https://www.bunnings.com.au/rust-oleum-340g-2x-ultra-cover-paint-prime-gloss-seaside-spray-paint_p1580687).

Really pleased with the way they turned out!

Thanks for your suggestions and advice 🙂

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/116693#Comment_116693

Hello @DIYMum

Thank goodness you finally got some sunshine. That paint over project looks fantastic, it's covered it very well as it has totally smothered the dull grey colour of the plastic. The smaller chairs remind me of a Mediterranean beach, I bet these will look good near the pool. I'm really impressed as you've taken that extra step of using a clearcoat sealer for the top coat of the chairs. That paint job will definitely last all because of that extra step you took.

How many days did it take to finish the entire set?

Again, thank you so much for sharing those pictures and the materials you used for your paint over project.

I look forward to seeing your next creation.

Eric

DIYMum

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/126442#Comment_126442

Thanks @EricL! I guess all up allowing for drying between coats it took 4-5 days - I gave it the extra drying time given it's not really very warm here at the moment, but the actual spraying didn't take very long at all 🙂

Ha, I just had the pool taken out so these will be going around a fire pit - yet another backyard project to tackle, but need to wait until spring now to get the lawn in.

suethomo

Hi. I’m going to paint some resin plastic deck chairs that I bought second hand. When you touch them they feel powdery like they’ve deteriorated in the sun. Should I sand them back at all or just clean and paint?

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/26625#Comment_26625

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @suethomo. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about painting plastic.

You'd need to remove the powdery coating. I suggest giving them a good scrub with a Scotch pad and Sugar Soap. If that doesn't remove the powdery residue, then you'll need to sand the chairs until you reach uncompromised plastic.

Remember to use the Dulux 325g Duramax Plastic Primer Spray Paint. as it will give you the best chance of the topcoat adhering.

I can't wait to see your results.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

SharonL888777

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/19449#Comment_19449

I'd like to paint some Polypropylene garden boxes, there are quite a few so i dont want to use a spray can

https://www.vidaxl.com.au/e/vidaxl-raised-bed-40x40x23-cm-polypropylene/8720286091982.html is there a more economical way?

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/76277#Comment_76277

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @SharonL888777. It's lovely to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about painting plastic garden boxes.

If you want to avoid spray paint, you could prep the polypropylene with Flood 500ml ESP Easy Surface Paint Preparation. That would then give any coat of paint the best chance of sticking to the surface. You'd be able to use a standard exterior paint, but remember that it's not especially durable, so it would be best to keep a little of your chosen colour on hand for touchups.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

SharonL888777

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/102023#Comment_102023

Thank you 😉

flussy

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/19449#Comment_19449

Can I do that on my gazebo

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/80320#Comment_80320

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @flussy. It's brilliant to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about painting a gazebo.

Let me mention @DIYMum to get their thoughts.

What is your gazebo made from? If it's plastic, a similar approach would likely work, but if it's a different material, if you can provide details, we can work out the best method.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

Doreen6

I also have a Question for Recycle Plastic Storage seat we bought from Bunnings. I am wanting to seal it with a clear sealant to make it easier to clean. It has a lot of grooves to give it the wood look which I love the look, but these grooves keep filling with dust. Can you please help.

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/60672#Comment_60672

Hi @Doreen6,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

Have you got a photo of your plastic storage seat that you could share? Let me know if you need a hand with this, I am happy to help if required.

It really depends on how deep the grooves are for the wood look as to whether it would be successful or not. Clear coatings that are suitable for use on plastic are typically applied quite thin, so as long as the grooves aren't too deep, it should help.

This Rust-Oleum 2X Ultra Cover Gloss Clear Spray Paint can be used on plastics, and it is suitable for outdoor use. This could be worth a try.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

Doreen6

This is usually on the front verandah which gets the afternoon sun. Before I put it back, I would like to coat it, so the little lines on each plank that makes it look like wood doesn't fill with dust and becomes smoother. At the moment if someone sits on it with light clothes, they may get a bit grubby. Also, these little grove things catch on some lightweight dress and when I try to wipe it with a cloth it pulls threads and ruins them. I love the look, what it holds and sitting on it. I just need your help/advice please on making it smooth but keeping the look.

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/60685#Comment_60685

Hi @Doreen6,

As mentioned earlier, clear coatings are usually quite thin, and I couldn't guarantee that they would fill the grooves in the way you are hoping. Unfortunately, I am not aware of a product that would be 100% suitable for this application.

This Rust-Oleum 2X Ultra Cover Satin Clear Spray Paint and the gloss variant I mentioned earlier are worth a try, but they are quite thin, so you may need to apply a few coats to best fill in those grooves. They are suitable for use outdoors, but they are quite a soft coating, so you can't expect them to last long-term like an exterior paint or something like that.

Perhaps you could paint your chair with a colour-matched external paint. It would be a much thicker coating that would do a better job of filling in the grooves. You may lose a bit of the texture, but ultimately, they would be better for this purpose long term.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

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