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.

Four pictures of before and after of a plastic playhouse paint makeover

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!

good bad painted plastic collage

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.

Yield: 1

How to Paint on Plastic

Four pictures of before and after of a plastic playhouse paint makeover

Wondering what the best paint for plastic toys is? Look no further! Learn how to paint on plastic outdoor toys easily with good results.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Active Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $15

Materials

  • Plastic Paint Primer
  • Plastic Spray Paint

Tools

  • Sponge

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. If you suspect any kind of build-up on the plastic use rubbing alcohol to wipe down the surface before painting.
  3. Spray plastic with a plastic primer and allow to dry.
  4. 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!

our home

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.

Four pictures of before and after of a plastic playhouse paint makeover

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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150 Comments

  1. Would this; hold; up; on little tikes climbers with a slide? I bought a used faded one but don’t want paint rubbing off on my daughter.

    1. Hi Kelly, the only part that faded on mine was the door right where it rubbed on the hinge area. I can’t say for sure if it would rub off on a slide.

  2. I needed to thank you for this great read!! I certainly enjoyed every little bit of it.

    I have got you saved as a favorite to check out new
    things you post…

  3. What about painting a car bed.Want to paint it pink and purple. Any ideas on the safest paint to use that’ll also bring the best paint job.

    1. I’m not sure, I’ve only found the one Valspar brand to get good results but I don’t know if there would be any risk on a bed.

  4. Just finished Little Tikes easel, (super cute!!), I feel like I need a protective top coat. I read about decoupage. Any other ideas? I took mine all apart, due to drastic color change, stepped on one part and broke it. Opps! They have replacement parts I am going to order, but it wasn’t worth the time/effort!

  5. I’m working on a Little Tikes Slide today. Not sure how it will hold up since my girls will be continuing to climb the stairs and go down the slide but I’m going to try it out!

    1. I want to do a slide as well…how did it hold up with all the activity? Did you use the Valspar?

  6. Hey! So glad I found this! A friend just gave me a toy box today, but it is red and blue and I want to paint it to match my daughter’s room. I will definitely look for the Valspar spray paint and plastic primer, but a lot of the other articles I read on spray painting plastic said it needed to be sanded first? I’m guessing you didn’t do that? I hope it comes out good, I just worry that it will be hard to cover blue and red with purple and pink!!

    1. I highly suggest the specific Valspar line in the post-the Signature-it works fantastic even without the primer and acme in gorgeous colors! Good luck! (and I didn’t sand first I just cleaned it first)

  7. This looks great!!! I’ve been wanting to try this, and a few days ago I picked up one of these faded playhouses on the side of the road…I can’t wait to give it a makeover!!! 🙂 I’m definitely going to go with Valspar…Thanks for taking the trial/error process away for me haha!

  8. I have a similar playhouse and between the 4-5 cans of spray paint I will need, it runs to about $130-$150 (about $30 per can), which is about $30 less than buying a new playhouse. Now, I understand in your case the cost was irrelavant as you were restoring something from your childhood, but just wanted to check if I’m looking at wrong products or if it cost you about the same.

  9. I have a Barbie Cruise Ship that I bought at a thrift store. I would like to turn it into a haunted ship. (I think it would be a wonderful Christmas gift for my grand kids, they love Scooby Doo.) Do you think the same painting technique would work, and hold up to the play the toy would get? I would paint it dark brown or black.

    1. I think it would hold up, ours has only rubbed off on the door where the two pieces slide against each other and it’s been four months of outdoors abuse!

  10. I just painted a little tikes outdoor playhouse. As I was moving it inside 3 hours later after painting it to dry over night the paint was coming off “really” easy. Two of the shutters barely touched one another and the paint come off. I used Valspar paint for plastic. I said on the can that no primer is needed. Any thoughts of what I can or need to do?

    1. Was it the Signature line of Valspar Paint? M paint did rub off where my door met the side of the doorway but that was the only area I had problems with…and I doubt there is any paint that could withstand that friction. Please let me know if you try something else!

  11. Melissa,
    Love your project! Curious to know 5+ months later how the paint is holding up and if you’d do anything differently if you had to do it over?

    1. It still looks great Christina! The only part showing wear is the door where the plastic rubs together but I saw that immediately. I’d do it all again-it took an eye sore and made it something cute for the yard!!

  12. I spray painted a little tikes bed today and didn’t have the best results. Although I used the Rustoleum spray paint specifically for plastic, there are places that the paint easily scratches off. I put a clear finish coat on it but I’m not sure that’s going to do it. Would you recommend painting primer over what I’ve done and then a trying the Valspar?

    1. I’m not entirely sure Rachel…I’d be worried that since the Rustoleum didn’t adhere well that everything you put over it will come off too. Is there a way to scrub off the Rustoleum first? Sorry not to have better advice!

    2. I tried using some Krylon Fusion on an old kitchen. It didn’t really work though I did everything that was recommended…washing it down, drying, wiping down w/mineral spirits. The stove top was a darker color & I was worried about the paint noticeably scratching off so I added 2 layers of decoupage on it, as well as to the inside of the fridge door where I had painted some of the molded food items (these don’t remove from the door, just the shape of milk, etc), and the window where I painted a happy scene since the sticker had come off. It has held up really well where decoupaged. If it will be indoors, I’d recommend trying that to keep your paint on if you have any scraping. I suspect decoupage wouldn’t hold up too well outdoors though. Consider if you want matte or glossy finish before you choose your type of decoupage to match your paint job 🙂

  13. how did you get the doors and window shutters off to paint them? I have tried but I can’t get them off.

    1. I didn’t take them off Lara, I used a piece of posterboard to cover the areas nearby when I sprayed them.

  14. painting it sounds great but what about when it gets dirty will the pain hold up when washing it off with hose or power washer

  15. I Am Working On A Cozy Coupe. I Have Used The Plastic Primer. After It Dried, I Shut The Door And The Primer Came Off When It Rubbed Up Against The Frame. How Do I Get It To Not Run Off?

    1. I don’t know of any way it’s possible to not get to rub off on those places where the pieces rub against each other.

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