How To Clean Plastic To Prepare for Painting
If you are looking for ways to redecorate on a budget, painting is a relatively inexpensive way to add new life to your home and household items. In the past, paint would peel or crack off the surface of plastic, but advances in paint technology have made sprucing up plastic blinds, planters, outdoor furniture or storage containers essentially foolproof, with long-lasting results. The key to successfully painting plastic goods is to properly clean and prep the plastic surface before painting.
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Things You'll Need
- Drop cloths or newspapers to protect floors
- Ammonia-based cleaner
- Sponge with an abrasive side
- Two soft cloths
- Water
- Nylon brush
- Sandpaper
- Tack cloth
Instructions
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1
Place a drop cloth under the item you are prepping to protect the work area.
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2
Spray surface of plastic with ammonia-based cleaner. Wipe down entire area with smooth side of sponge.
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3
Use scrub side of sponge to gently remove ground-in dirt and grime. Rub in a circular motion. Be careful not to scratch the surface too hard. If the surface is textured, use the nylon brush to clean and remove stains instead of the sponge.
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4
Wipe residue thoroughly from all surfaces with a soft cloth.
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5
Gently begin to rub the surfaces with a light sandpaper. This will help the paint to adhere to the plastic. You can remove sandpaper residue easily with a tack cloth.
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6
Paint the surface only after it is thoroughly cleaned and allowed to dry.
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Tips & Warnings
To ensure the best results for painting, do not skip over the sanding steps. As plastic paint can be a bit expensive, it is best to obtain the smoothest surface possible so that paint adheres correctly with the first coat and lasts longer.
Do not use an electric sander on plastic items as it will damage the surface. Only light sanding is required.
Never use cleaning or paint products in an area that is not properly ventilated.
