How to Paint on Plastic Storage Bins

Whether you want to liven up your storage bins, or paint names on preschool cubbyholes, painting plastic storage bins is not difficult. The trick is to prepare the surface first so the paint will stick tightly to the plastic.

Things You'll Need

• Tri-sodium phosphate (TSP)
• Primer
• Paintbrush
• Rust-oleum spray paint
• Model paint
• Art brushes

Instructions

1. Prepare a solution of tri-sodium phosphate (TSP), according to the manufacturer's directions. Wash, rinse and dry the the bin's plastic surface to remove grease and residue.

2. Apply paint primer to the surface of the plastic with a disposable foam paintbrush. Allow the primer to dry thoroughly.

3. Spray Rust-oleum over the surface of the plastic bin. Apply several light coats, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly before proceeding.

4. Paint designs or names on the plastic bins with model paint from a hobby store. Use a high-quality paintbrush that is designed for fine detail.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't want to spray paint the entire bin a different color, use detail brushes to paint a white primer base coat in the design you desire.

References

• Rust-oleum
• Hobby Linc