Looking to paint acrylic, glass, or a clear plastic? We’ve got some must-know tips to get you started!
I have a love affair with all things see-through. Well, no, that’s not true… just when it comes to home decor. Especially sleek acrylic storage bins.
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I think if you have nice things, you should show them off! Even better, if you keep your nice things nicely organized inside their separate bins, you really want to show them off! Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of items I safely hide behind a well fortified wall of wicker or some other closed up storage, but occasionally there are those pretty items you want to be able to store and see!
That being said, I usually prefer a “window” you can see through as opposed to an entirely clear piece. I’ve added that wow factor to many an acrylic, glass, and plastic storage piece using spray paint. The question I’m always asked is how to paint it for the sturdiest results, so here are a few tips for spray painting acrylic, plastic, or glass…
Here are a few tips for spray painting acrylic, plastic, or glass…
Start With Stellar Tape
For the cleanest possible lines be sure to use a really good painters tape. I prefer the Frog Tape brand, thus far it is the best I’ve tried. If you don’t use a good tape, the lines will be very choppy. Of course, be sure you take your time and press down on the tape edges really well so no paint seeps through. Additionally, be sure to remove the tape immediately after painting. Yes, you need to remove the tape before the paint dries, or you’ll peel bits of dried spray paint off when you remove the tape.
A Nifty Little Trick To Save Your Tape!
A good tape isn’t cheap, so I use it sparingly. Tape off the first line that will be the dividing line between paint and product. Next tape on paper bag or newspaper to cover the rest of the product. Do a good job covering non-paint areas, spray paint hangs in the air and a certain radius will end up with microscopic paint droplets.
Start With The Right Paint, Dispense With the Primer
Primer is usually a good idea (especially important for spraying metal), however in the case of clear plastic, acrylic, or glass, if you can complete the task in a single coat it is better. The problem with more than one coat is allowing paint to dry without immediately removing the tape…once you remove tape off dried spray paint it is likely to peel the paint along with the tape. So choose a high performing acrylic enamel spray paint, or simply look for a paint designed to bond with plastic. Then spray paint in even sweeps across your surface. Be careful not to allow any pooling, and take the time to make sure there are no uneven areas…you only get one chance. Remove the tape right away (yes, while the paint is still tacky)!
Wondering when to use a primer? Well if something is going to get a lot of wear-and-tear you shouldn’t risk going without it. Especially if you can’t sand the surface (for example, you don’t want to scratch your acrylic or glass). Just keep it light and even…it’s better to err on a light coat than overdo it with too many layers or heavy coats that will be liable to peel.
The Protective Coat
Finish with a coat of triple coat clear glaze spray paint. However, don’t spray it on until after you have removed the tape. Be sure to allow the initial coat to dry completely. You want to seal those raw edges where the paint and the product meet.
And presto! You have a stunning, customized end product. Something you would have to pay premium cost to buy, and you’ve just up-cycled existing jars, or taken cheap plastic products to a whole new levels of chic!
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See other amazing things you can make-over with spray paint here>>
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My daughter painted acrylic paint on a large piece of plexiglass that will be a sign at an upcoming wedding. We want to seal it so the paint doesn’t scratch off but don’t want to lose the clarity of the plexiglass. What sealer would you recommend?
Hi there. I have the Ikea Tobias chair, which is made with translucent Polycarbonate plastic. I want to update my chairs, so can I paint using your method?
Hi! I’d like to spray my bamboo roller shades white. Do you think I should spray primer first? they’ll be rolled up and back down here and there so I’d like the paint to be durable.
Hi, I just found you, glad to be here. I am an artist interested in painting on acrylic, however I wanted to sue non-aerosol paint. Is it possible to get good adhesion?
Tips are nice, but if I started paintings things like this, I’d very likely get sidetracked and never actually finish them 🙂
LOL!
Hi Ursula,
Your projects are awesome and thank you for sharing all this valuable information. I have am working on an auction project for my son’s school that involves painting on a clear acrylic table. I had envisioned getting some type of paint that would adhere to the acrylic, pouring it into those plastic squeezable ketchup bottles so the kids can squeeze the paint from the bottles, leaving a colorful dripping painted effect on the the table.
Is there a preferred brand that makes canned acrylic friendly paint, rather than spray paint?–Giving these kids control over spray paint could be a night mare and I thought if they squeezed the plastic bottles of paint it could be much more controlled.
You have recommended sanding the acrylic first. Do you think that it would be necessary to sand first in this case or just prime and then seal after the paint dries?
Thank you so much
How creative! Ooooo, I’m afraid I have never looked into whether there is a canned version. But if you find one, I would definitely prime (not sand, because you wouldn’t want to scratch the acrylic on such a huge project), and seal with a triple thick clear glaze (Rustoleum and Krylon both have one). Good luck!
Hi Ursula , Us girls love your site . We are going to start doing some diy christmas decorations and yard decorations this year. We want to paint on the reverse side of glass and plexiglass what paint do you recommend we use on them and would we use a clear spray paint to coat the back to preserve it .
Sounds like fun!! Over the years I have discovered that most name brand spray paints are pretty comparable and each has a specialty spray paint that works on glass…plexiglass should be easy enough since it has a rough surface. I would pick up one of the specialty acrylic spray paints (Krylon or Rustoleum are great) from a hardware store. I also love Rustoleum’s clear triple glaze spray to seal it.
what krylon paint will stick to a acrylic covette top
Hi Ursula. I am restoring a ‘75 camper. The dividers to the bed part have orange plexi glass in it that I would like to paint. It is not smooth, but has a pattern pressed into it. I also can’t take the panels out, i would have to paint them in an upright position. Any tips on that? Would there be any pooling? Thank you, I would appreciate any tips!
Oh how fun! What an amazing project. There shouldn’t be any pooling, but that wholly depends on how careful you are with your spray painting technique. Lol! I have made mistakes in my impatient haste before that caused a couple drips. Just be sure you keep even sweeps from a distance, and clear the nozzle before each use by spraying away from the plexi glass first… also make sure the spray is ‘normal’ (sometimes a new can of paint is defective with a weird texture, so check it first!). Good luck!
Hi Ursula! Thank you for posting this DIY. I’ve had the most difficult time trying to find something related to what I want to do, but I finally came across your website. I’m hoping you can give me some advice on re-painting a pair of 100% acrylic resin earrings. I love them, however they were only sold in a yellow/green color and I would like to spray paint them gold. The finish on them is glossy/shiny, so I want to be sure I get the correct materials and see if I need to sand them down or anything. Any advice on primers or spray paints? Any of your guidance would help immensely and be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!!!
If you decide to go with a primer I would consider KILZ spray primer. Even more important is that you use a protective spray paint AFTER your gold paint dries completely. I would use a clear enamel or glaze spray paint over top. I like this one for my acrylic based projects: (this is an affiliate link) https://rstyle.me/n/c3dirtb5v3f
I love your diy. Thank you so much for sharing. I have an acrylic chair from Ikea. I wonder if I could use this technique on it… Im tryin to get rid of some scratches. Wouldnt need to be water proof, but i wonder if the spray paint would come off easily from sitting on the chair… Thank you!
There are fantastic spray paints designed specifically for plastic furniture, so you should be fine if applied correctly. 😉 Just remember, with enough wear and tear over time (especially with a high use item like furniture) you always have the risk of it scratching off with time.
You made a good point about how having a “window” that you can see through would be a good way to make your piece stand out. It would definitely make sense when working with something clear like acrylic, plastic and glass. I bet that getting a piece custom made by a fabricator could be a good way to make sure you had that window design factored in.
Hey Ursula
Great Stuff!!! Please advise what paint can be used to paint over perspex.
Thanx Lucy
Hi! Lovely tutorial. Could you tell me the brand of clear spray paint you used to seal these?
I’m trying to get the back painted glass effect with plastic. The painted side of the plastic will be the back and I’ll be looking at the paint through the plastic from the opposite side. Will your technique give me the same smooth look as back painted glass?
Hi Roy, spray paint is a smooth application as long as you are even with your distribution…so smooth is no problem. As a matter of fact, painting the back side of plastic is a great way to go to ensure there will be no possibility of scratches! 🙂 I don’t know what you are making, but I think you are on the right track!
I’m restoring the clarity to the plastic lens of my car headlights. I’ve done multiple sandings, finishing with a 2000 fine grit. It’s ready for protection. But it demands a clear coat finish to fill in the remaining minute scratches. This clear coat must be right for plastics, offer UV protection, non-yellowing, and a fine spray. Does your Krylon recommendation match all these needs?
Hi,
Since your project is on a car, and will be outdoors at all times, I would recommend taking a look at the Krylon website to see if it will stand up to those particular needs. You have to remember, anything I have used it on has been indoor projects and furniture. Typically if a project is an outdoor it is furniture related and often sealed with a non-yellowing polyurethane or a glazing spray paint. 😉
I enjoyed your comments. I would like to have an acrylic sheet behind my fish pond,
in my entry, with a light behind it and have fish painted on the acrylic. Do you have any ideas. Thank you.
Hi! I was wandering what brand of spray paint you use on acrylic?
I personally prefer Krylon brand. They have quite the array of choices! 🙂
i applied vinyl to glass and sprayed over it.but as i peel off the vinyl the paint along the edges of the vinyl peel off leaving an uneven line.how do i avoid this?please help me on this.
You definitely want to peel back the tape/vinyl while the paint is still wet. It prevents it from pulling the paint off along with it. 😉 Good luck!
Thanks! This looks great. Can these items be washed or will the paint come off? If so, is there any method to paint plastic/acrylic so that it’s wash-proof?
No, they are not washable. The closest you can get (that I know of currently), is using a gilding paint (for example a gold liquid gilding). Water washes right over it, but I don’t know if it is truly wash/scrub proof. I have gently washed/rinsed it by hand however!
My problem is drips! On plastic or glass the paint slides down it it seems. Even when I use it sparingly – any tips and will sealing it prevent it from scratching off? Every time I paint plastic it scrapes right off and looks icky
To prevent drips you need to keep the proper distance when spraying, and keep the spray bottle moving so it doesn’t pool in any one spot. When it comes to this, practice makes perfect! 🙂
I seal it with a clear polyurethane spray.
If I paint something gold or copper that will be handled regularly I use a liquid gold/copper. It doesn’t scrape off, and almost seems water/wash proof.
Hi Ursula – I did your DIY!! You can see them here – Thanks again for your DIY!
http://www.minted.com/julep/2015/11/04/diy-fabric-wallpapered-bookshelf/
Perfectly stunning! The project, the magazine holders, and the photography! Thanks for sharing! <3
Love this DIY. I was wondering where the clear magazines were from? Thanks!
Thank you! They clear magazine files are from Target. They are part of Target’s “Room Essentials” line.
Thanks! I can’t wait to try this!