Plastic Playhouse Paint Makeover
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Wondering what the best paint for plastic toys is? Look no further! Learn how to paint on plastic outdoor toys easily with good results.
A few weeks ago a neighbor put up on Facebook that she was getting rid of a plastic playhouse that had seen better days. My inner hoarder cannot turn down free things so I told her I would gladly take it. I have to admit that my husband wasn’t convinced this was a good idea but I knew it would provide some entertainment for all three boys in the backyard now that the weather is turning nice and I knew how to paint plastic if needed.
I also learned how to spray paint fabric if you are interested as well!
After we had it set up in the backyard I could tell my husband Randy still wasn’t loving it-we’ve been putting a lot of work into the oudoor living areas lately so when he went back to work Monday I thought I’d surprise him by giving the playhouse a quick makeover to make it a little more aesthetically pleasing!
This wasn’t the first time I’ve painted some Little Tikes plastic toys in our yard. Last summer I spray painted a chair and table set (another one my hubby wasn’t loving due to it’s faded appearance.) That didn’t go so well for me. Although I used spray paint meant for plastic I didn’t get a good result at all. I was determined this time would be different.
How to Paint on Plastic
Wondering what the best paint for plastic toys is? Look no further! Learn how to paint on plastic outdoor toys easily with good results.
Materials
- Plastic Paint Primer
- Plastic Spray Paint
Tools
- Sponge
Instructions
- Thoroughly clean the plastic item you wish to paint. Use a sponge with soap and water to clean all surfaces. Any kind of build up on the plastic can reduce the ability of the paint to adhere to the surface.
- If you suspect any kind of build-up on the plastic use rubbing alcohol to wipe down the surface before painting.
- Spray plastic with a plastic primer and allow to dry.
- Spray the plastic with spray paint specially formulated for plastic. Use light even strokes when spraying. Allow to dry completely between coats. Repeat coats until the desired color and coverage is achieved.
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When I was looking for paint at the hardware store I went in thinking I would buy Krylon Fusion plastic paint because that is what I read was best. It was also what I used on the ill-fated table and chairs though so I wasn’t too disappointed when the store didn’t have it. I found some Valspar Plastic Primer and threw that in the cart but I was not loving the color selection in the Valspar plastic specific spray paint. I wanted the playhouse to match our house colors and I was drawn to a pretty gray-blue in Valspar’s new Color Radiance line. The can said it was good on metal, wood, and plastic so I decided to give it a shot!
The first thing I did was wash down the house with warm soapy water. Then I rinsed it and let it dry. I started spraying the roof black and I could immediately tell the difference with the Valspar paint than the paint I used last year. It sprayed on perfectly-no drips, fantastic coverage…I was sold! I used the color radiance on the roof and house sides but for the door I used the plastic primer and regular red spray paint I already had on hand. Again, with the plastic primer the paint went on great. Oh and by the way, this is NOT a sponsored post, I’m just a spray paint lover and had to share with you guys when I find something that works so well.
The entire playhouse took only one coat which ended up being one can of black, two of blue and that leftover red. (I only partially did the inside of the house-my kids don’t care at all what it looks like, I was just trying to make it less of an eyesore for us!) The finish seems much more durable so far than the table I did with the Fusion spray paint-of course the area at the bottom of the door where it rubs when opening and closing is going to wear off almost immediately but I think that’s to be expected. I’m so excited with how it turned out and I think it’s new look has guaranteed it a bit longer stay in the backyard!
Have you painted plastic before? What are your tips for getting a good result?
If you get the spray paint on your skin, see this post showing how to remove spray paint from skin!
Update 2016 (3 years later): We no longer have this playhouse but passed it along to another family when our children outgrew it and last we heard it was still looking great with some minor touchups over the years!
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I just scored an ugly plastic wagon off Craigslist for my daughter. So glad I found this post- that beastly wagon is about to get a makeover!
Yay! Send me the link if you post your transformation, I’d love to see it!
Hi with valsper primer can I use any sprays paint for the top? My toys are outside. So rust oleum ok? Does it have to say for plastic or? I need different colors then the valsper line offered
I’d look at the Valspar signature line first-they have a ton if colors and you wouldn’t need a primer. Otherwise once you use the primer it doesn’t seem to matter what brand of paint you use over it. I’ve used Valspar, Krylon, and Rustoleum over the plastic primer do far and it’s worked well!
So did u only use the primer on the door or under all the spray paint?
Only on the door because I used a red paint that was not made for plastic.
Love it! I’ve got some plastic dog and cat food storage containers to paint so they blend in my kitchen better. I haven’t been able to find the Valspar plastic primer. Where did you get yours? I bought Krylon but have been afraid to use it as I’ve heard stories of where it didn’t stick to the plastic.
I found mine at Lowes. It was just the Valspar Color Radiance, not the specific plastic paint and it worked perfectly! It’s holding up great too!
Is it still holding up? Did you store it during winter?
Hi Kellie, I gave it to a friend and we moved away last week but it was holding up great other than the one spot where the door rubbed on the frame so I’d definitely go for it if you’re thinking of it. We were in NC and didn’t store it away in the winter. Hope that helps!
This is great! I have an old plastic doll house that got put outside when I outgrew it. My grandma brought it to me about 2 years ago and it’s been sitting in our back yard ever since. I’ve been thinking about cleaning it up, repainting it bringing it inside for my girls now that they’re a little older (2)
I’d love to see how it turns out if you do it Jessica!
I am finally attempting this for Christmas. Lol. I will absolutely share once it’. DOne. I couldn’t find my pin for thus so I had to Google and made sure to read the comments so I had the blog I wanted. 🙂
Good luck Jessica!
https://www.facebook.com/jessica.king.581/posts/10100677711388223
Here’s the link to the dollhouse I Just did. My forearm and point finger and thumb are SO SORE. LOL. It was worth it. My girls say it’s “beautiful”. I wasn’t having much luck with the tight curves with the trim, so it’s not perfect, but it’s good and they love it. And it definitely looks a LOT better than it did before I painted it.
This looks wonderful! I’ve got a old plastic swing set with a slide like the ones at babies r us. Do you think the spray paint would work on that? Or would it just come off as she climbed on it and went down the slide?? If you think it’ll work, I’d love to do hers!!
I’m honestly not sure but I’d think it would be worth a try?!
I love this idea and just got a second hand Little Tikes house and it is faded. I would love to repaint it and your before and after pictures are amazing! I would love to know how many coats did you do? Also, how did you wrap/cover/etc.. the shutters and doors to get a clean finish. Thanks!
Hi Tiffanie, I only used one coat (can you believe it!?) I didn’t tape off the smaller areas-I actually used a piece of posterboard held in my left hand to cover them as I sprayed. It worked pretty well and the few areas I had overspray were easily touched up afterwards-that paint coverage is amazing. Hope that helps! -Melissa
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=401786306517413&set=pb.148450328517680.-2207520000.1365847002&type=3&theater I painted my nephews battery powered lawnmower pics start there
Super cute!!
Looks great. What does your husband think of it now?
Its tolerable for him now! He’s not a huge fan of plastic outdoor toys but the boys sure love them!
looks wonderful! i can’t wait to hear how it holds up against the elements!
I had no idea you could do that! It looks fabulous!
That is so ridiculously CUTE! Going to do a double take at all the garage sale yard toys now!
Oh wow, it looks great! I remember our playhouse was SUPER faded from the sun and stuff. And how cute that it’s like a mini version of your house!
Great makeover! It’s amazing what a little spray paint can do!
Holy cow! That looks amazing! Nice work.
What a difference! I didn’t even know you could do something like that! Makes a person rethink all the sad toys you see at garage sales!
That is a great makeover! Spray paint is amazing, isn’t it!
Looks great! I just picked up some plastic spray paint last week to try and redo the one I got at a yard sale last year. Yours turned out wonderful. 🙂
I have almost this exact same playhouse and spray painted the roof brown and door red. I did it 3-years-ago and it’s held up perfectly. I wasn’t sure what to expect.
which spray paint did you use?
It was Valspar Color Radiance
I know you said Valspar color radiance but what was the color
I’m sorry, I don’t remember Caroline, it was 3 years ago and I no longer have the playhouse. Sorry not to be more help!
I read that the spray paint on your play house held up for 3 years, was it out in the sun? Or under a roof? I am just curious to see how everyone’s playhouse have done after a few years. I am doing one for my nieces, along with a power wheels and I want to make sure that all of my work won’t be in vein, ;D Also, have you had the playhouse exposed to a lot of water from either weather, sprinklers, kids or just being hosed off? I wanted to paint a little slide for a kiddie pool but again…. I don’t want it to be in vein.
Thanks,
Shannon
Hi Shannon! I used this for a year at my own home before passing it on to another family. Per Facebook photos, it’s still doing amazing! All out in the sun as well. The main water has been rain.
Did you use the plastic primer on the entire house?
Only on the parts that I was using spray paint not made for plastic Kayla. Hope that helps! ~Melissa
Vain – not – vein
Exactly what were you trying to achieve by correcting someone’s spelling on a post from nearly for years ago?
four
Danielle, what paint did you use?
I have an old kids slide made out of plastic and it’s faded and not slick now. after you painted your house would you say that the finish is smooth enough for a slide ?
I think the finish was smooth enough and I never had a problem with color transfer but I can’t say for sure
I love the little house makeover – wish I’d known about this when my boys were younger because we had one of those icky faded playhouse. Pinned this great tutorial!
I’ve painted many outdoor items with the Sherwin William Chinese Red we bought for our barn’s vinyl faux hay mow doors. The first step for any hard to paint item is Sherwin Williams Adhesion Primer. After that, simply brushing on any good quality paint leaves no streaks and lasts for years. (Brushing applies more paint than spray cans; airless painting should be left to pros unless you’ve used one for many years.)
[Edit: Obviously the first step to painting anything is to clean it, making sure no soap residue is left.]
You don’t see all those painter’s trucks outside Sherwin Williams stores for no reason; when you guarantee your work, you don’t want to be back too soon (or ever). I believe Sherwin Williams has a new primer for surfaces that require an extra adhesion product, but Adhesion Primer is what I’m familiar with.
(I’m looking forward to reading your how to paint outdoor furniture. Even though our quality welded aluminum patio furniture is used in the shade, and covered at night, it has still faded after 30 years… but nothing available today can compare to what we bought in the 1980s.)