How to paint PVC and plastic downpipes - Inspire DIY Kent Thomas

[@subodhawanasundera3957]

Thank you so much! This method worked really well. Sanding + acetone gives a really grippy surface for the paint. After 2nd coat, full coverage with solid colour. Thank you! 😊

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Subodha, I was stoked to learn this technique too, I'm glad it helped you out. Kent

[@themostar7426]

Thanks for the video. I went into bunnings and bloke who works there is an ex professional painter. Agreed 💯 with your process. Getting stuck in today cheers again mate.

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Mo Star (great name!) I'm glad it helped mate, let us know how you get on. Cheers, Kent

[@themostar7426]

@@InspireDIY did the first coat using a quality brush. Went on like a dream.

[@chrismorris8474]

Great tip about sanding off the sheen. I wish I had known that before I tried painting my pvc trim and beadboard in my bathroom.

[@InspireDIY]

Yeah it definitely helps to get a good bond between paint and PVC! Thanks Chris👍, Kent

[@jaytopham8514]

Hi Kent. Thanks for a great video. I have been searching for painting advice as I am going to use pieces of down pipe in my garden as a light feature and at the same time the pipe will seperate the garden into different areas. I will sinking the pieces into the soil. I will be painting them and drilling holes in them for the light to show through

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Jay, best of luck with your project - it sounds awesome with the lights inside! I made a lamp like that once, take your time drilling the holes, can I suggest a stepped drill as normal bits and spade bits seemed to always crack the pvc. 🤙Kent

[@jaytopham8514]

Hi ya. Thanks for your reply. I have made a start. I have drilled some holes (with tuition from my husband) and all good so far. I put masking tape on the pipe so drill bit doesn't slip. I purchased some really fine sandpaper, which works a treat and bought some primer and paint for outdoor plastics. All going well so far but we have rain coming in tomorrow, so may not be able to spray paint yet.

[@jeoffer]

Thanks for sharing. I am painting tomorrow and was looking for some advice. I subscribed too.

[@InspireDIY]

Thanks Jeoffer, how did it turn out? Kent

[@jeoffer]

@@InspireDIY As you suggested, I sanded to give the paint something to grip. I first used Zinsser 1-2-3 Undercoat Sealer and let it dry for 24 hours. It says on the paint can it is ready after 1 hour, but I read somewhere you get a better adhesion if you wait longer. I then put Taubman's Endure as the finish coat. That paint is stuck tight and not coming off any time soon.

[@sandrinakeffufal6008]

Thanks so much for this great video, we discovered that you can't simply paint PVC pipe, despite my painter friend assuring me that you can - the paint chips and scrapes off at the tiniest touch. We will try your method for the next pipe!

[@InspireDIY]

Yeah I had the same issue - that’s what inspired me to learn a bit more about it👍 good luck on with the paint job on the next pipe, Kent

[@InspireDIY]

Is your last name really Keffufal? That’s freakin’ awesome!

[@sandrinakeffufal6008]

@@InspireDIY lol no that was my cat's name but makes a good username!

[@folethazucenabanares7447]

Thank you that I found your video because I got an ideas here how to paint the pvc stair railing from the front of my house

[@InspireDIY]

Best of luck with your painting project foleth 👍Kent

[@folethazucenabanares7447]

Yeah thanks to your yt channel I will not do paint by my self I will explain only to my painter how to do it because I was not in Philippines yet

[@yoshilover765]

Brilliant, thanks for your help.

[@InspireDIY]

Glad it helped Leo🤙 Kent

[@malcolmdeare9338]

Great video. Thanks mate!

[@InspireDIY]

Thanks bud🤙appreciate it. Kent

[@Theknotman1964]

Cheers for posting 👍

[@InspireDIY]

You are welcome mate👌

[@5455jm]

Hey Dude, thank you I was not sure if you were in OZ or the land of the long orange Kumara but got confirmation of where at the end when the parrots flew by. Anyway, I am an OZZie transplanted to Kumara land. I have a huge Log home down on the Mahia Peninsula. Drove in yesterday to see all of my storm water downs connected from my gutters to the H2O tank..............but they look like white plastic straws next to my lovely old logs. I googled how to and got you; Liked and subscribed!

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Jeff, thanks for taking the time to tell a story... I love it! And thanks for the feedback, its much appreciated. Kent

[@InspireDIY]

Ps. Well picked... I'm a kiwi living in Ausy.

[@MacFyrestone]

This was so helpful, thank you! Google made it sound like i couldn't use standard paint. I'll probably make sure to prep all my conduit (except a few cm at the end) before installing so I'm not fighting with sanding 1 inch pipe on the wall when im ready to paint next year🤣

[@InspireDIY]

Great idea Fyrestone👌 best of luck. Kent

[@zerosketches6308]

This video really helps a lot! I do have a quick question however. I’m painting a thin pvc pipe for indoor purposes and was wondering if something like acrylic paints would be ok to use after sanding and applying the acetone?

[@InspireDIY]

Yes, for sure! And I’ve found quality acrylics are quite hard wearing too! Let us know how you get on Zero. Good luck, Kent

[@zerosketches6308]

@@InspireDIY Thanks a bunch!

[@lesterblaydes7242]

hey there. if i were to use sandpaper alone prior to water paint for indoor pvc trunking, you reckon the paint would stick?

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Lester, from experience I really think you need to use an acetone to ensure a bond. It would be a shame for your paint job to scratch up easily 🤔 best of luck. Kent

[@DouglasDuhaime]

how thick are these pvc pipes? How did you affix them to the home frame? I'd be super grateful for any insights you can offer on those questions!

[@olivechopper]

Hey Douglas. These are standard 90mm PVC DWV (drain-waste-vent) pipe, fixed to brick with saddle clips, wall plugs and stainless steel screws. I’d imaging most hardware places have them👍 best of luck with your project mate. Kent

[@DouglasDuhaime]

@@olivechopper thanks so much! I bought schedule 80 PVC yesterday because I'm a neophyte--will return it and get the DWV pipe, which looks much lighter!

[@olivechopper]

Good on you Douglas👍 Kent

[@JillThwaites-o1i]

Im having trouble finding acetone here in UK. Would white spirit work the same way?

[@InspireDIY]

Hey user, alternative (still effective) is to sand the pvc pipe well with ‘240 grit’ to remove the sheen and create a rough surface for a primer to stick to, next wash it down with sugar soap and let it dry, use a quality primer and then top coat allowing each coat to cure between. Best of luck with your project👍Kent

[@electrotsmishar]

Thank you. Actually, I made a cube sized battery case for my electronics using PVC board. Can I use those 2$ spray paints using this method?

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Syed, yeah you can, I’ve noticed that solvent based spray paints work quite well after this prep, the water based paints aren’t great with high touch areas as the paint is not as durable 👍 best of luck. Kent

[@electrotsmishar]

@@InspireDIY Thank you. Really appreciate it. Will try

[@porfiriosilva2255]

@@InspireDIY QA🙂

[@zeeali2722]

Need this after our builders used a brown underground pipe for the outside, honestly.

[@InspireDIY]

Yeah, definitely a coat of paint would improve the look of that, well done Zeeshan 👍Kent

[@realisticrenovating]

Great tips as always!! 👌

[@InspireDIY]

Thanks Jo😉

[@avsclarke]

Hi Kent! Long time viewer, first time messaging. Great video mate, quality viewing. Quick question though, why do you insist on keeping your shirt on for these videos? Just wondered… Asking for a mate.

[@InspireDIY]

haha you funny bastard. nice to catch up with you the other day, tell your mate to check out the only fans for the no pants version. kt

[@elianareyes9749]

Hi, is the acetone used also the same as the one used in removing nail polish?

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Eliana, yup 👍 same stuff!

[@davidbroadfoot1864]

@@InspireDIY No, it's not the same. Older nail-polish remover used to be acetone-based, but now many are not. Even the acetone-based ones are not pure acetone. They contain about 10% fatty ingredients like lanolin or caster oil ... not good for preparing paint surfaces.

[@InspireDIY]

Ok, good to know David🤔 might need to check the label for ‘active ingredient’ and purity before purchasing 👌 good stuff mate. Kent

[@fernandamejia-salazar]

Hi there. I would like to paint a gas pipe (med of metal) that runs on the ceiling of my apartment. I cannot use spray paint and I have no clue what type of paint to use and if the pipe would requiere any prep before painitng. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

[@InspireDIY]

Hey María, if it’s bare metal then a ‘primer’ that suits metal would be the best option as it it designed to adhere, then a top coat of paint in your colour choice would be great. I would brush it👍 be careful up the ladder too. Best of luck, Kent

[@fernandamejia-salazar]

@@InspireDIY Thanks!

[@robertboyd321]

thanks for the tips, also you can go over it with that Red pvc pipe glue primer first & then most paints stick to it. It worked for me anyway using an acrylic spray pack that is not supposed to adhere to pvc.

[@InspireDIY]

Great suggestion Robert👍

[@FirehawkVFX]

Doesn’t acetone affect the integrity of pvc? From what I’ve read this is not good.

[@harrybutler770]

Thanks for the video Kent, I've just used Acetone only in the past and found the paint sticks fine. No criticism intended for your method of roughing up the surface first, but the Acetone seems to etch the surface allowing the paint to literally key in, maybe making the sanding step unnecessary.

[@InspireDIY]

Thanks for the comment Harry, this is good to know! And if it works well and saves time then I'm all for it! Cheers, Kent

[@Eileen_12311]

Our company specializes in producing all kinds of whitening agents,such as OB OB-1 KSN KCB etc.Any demand please feel free to contact with me,my dear friend

[@InspireDIY]

Hi Eileen, pls make contact via email, found in inspire diy’s home page, thanks, Kent

[@goodtobecaring4035]

Brill

[@goodtobecaring4035]

@@InspireDIY good attitude mate

[@Ctnborn]

Hi, Would you know how to strip that paint if you needed to?

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Deano, that’s a great question.. any suggestions? Kent

[@hanreality.7266]

Sand it off

[@markmahy8089]

Brake fluid (nasty) or maybe Easy Off oven cleaner.

[@xidnea3729]

If I use Dulux weathershield, do I still need sand and wipe the pipe off using Acetone?

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Xidnea, great question… the problem is the jury’s still out on this one 🙂 pvc manufacturers and paint techs say to scuff/sand and prime, but when I’ve been looking on home renovation forums and the like, it seems like people cut this step out with some success. In saying that, I’d still sand and use acetone because I hate to do things twice😂 Best of luck, let us know how you get on. Kent

[@christinemyers6176]

What about using a quality paint & primer in one??

[@olivechopper]

Hey Christine, I do recommend a quality ’all in one’ paint in the vid, only thing is I haven’t had much joy without doing that annoying prep stage as it lends itself to peeling off the plastic finish. Good luck with your project 👍 Kent

[@kpkp42]

The dark paint helps to hide it, and permits the eye to move past it without pause

[@InspireDIY]

You’re absolutely right mate👌 cheers, Kent

[@fookleonglau3875]

Do you recommend to use emulsion paint for PVC pipes?

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Fook, yeah sure👍 best of luck, Kent

[@blcdad]

What kind of paint do you use? You said latex, but there are several kinds of lates; latex, latex acrylic, latex enamel?

[@InspireDIY]

Hey mate, great question …I used (and recommended 2) water based acrylic exterior paints in this video. Cheers. Kent

[@shiveshr1311]

what about using thinner instead of acetone

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Shivesh, I don't know the answer to that one, let's put it out there to the pro's to answer. Cheers, Kent

[@zoeaustralia7229]

Hi Kent, thank you for your great advice, do you have video of touch up damaged / chip plaster wall painting without painting the whole plaster wall. Thank you

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Slime Tastic, thanks for the compliment😊, I don't have that video just now - but that job is coming up (so best I film it👌), Thanks, Kent

[@HeartsScales]

Hypothetically speaking, if one were painting PVC pipe to be used for snakes, would the acetone evaporate quickly, and would allowing it to evaporate before painting still work?

[@InspireDIY]

Absolutely - it evaporates so quick! best of luck with the snakey tunnels. Kent

[@kkp4297]

does this survive a scratch test?

[@InspireDIY]

Indeed it does mate👌

[@mrsfunny669]

Any ides how to make rusty effect on pvc pipe? Thanks

[@InspireDIY]

Nah, but I'm curious... Let me know what you come up with👍. Kent

[@artboymoy]

Streaky rust? probably use a couple shades of red and orange and a paint brush. If you're looking for more natural rust, use a spongy sponge with some nice holes and the same colors, reds and oranges.

[@pallavinaikupdates]

Whixh paint i need to do sir? Can u pls tell

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Pallavi, if you click on the ‘…more’ option after the title you will see a list of options I’ve added. Best of luck mate🤙 Kent

[@litahsr.8226]

now does it scratch ?

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Lit’ I’m not sure what you mean sorry? Does the paint scratch? It’s pretty tough - obviously the better your prep work, and then the better the quality of paint will make a difference. No scratches here yet! I hope that answers your Qs. 👍Kent

[@litahsr.8226]

@@InspireDIY well I have white PVC for a knife Sheath and want to paint it black wondering after i paint it will it scratch to white spots since i use it daily

[@InspireDIY]

@@litahsr.8226 I think it would scratch in that high-use kind of situation. But if you decide to give it a try let us all know how durable it is. 🤙 Kent

[@litahsr.8226]

@@InspireDIY will I did use some kind of paint for my fish tanks years ago the first time it scratched off the second time I let it set for a week and it didnt scratch so maybe I should paint it a few time and let it set for a week are so hope that works will let ya know thanks

[@VaibhavBirit]

Am making a toy car by flattening a 6 inch PVC pipe. This painting technique will be useful to give it custom color. Thanks.

[@InspireDIY]

Wow Vaibhav, very creative 😮 let us know how you get on, thanks for the comment👍Kent

[@Semaj.18272]

Can you see the stories from the brush marks up close ?

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Saif, surprisingly no brush marks, but that's because I was a good lad and prepped properly, then did 2 coats of the right product. thanks mate, Kent

[@Kaizer_creator]

What type of paint

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Isabella. It’s in the video mate. And in the description if that’s easier 👍 Kent

[@stuarts4673]

Can I ask what grade acitone?

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Tamgerine, I use ‘Technical grade’ (the cheapest one)😂 from the hardware stores. The level of impurities during this kind of cleaning do not make any difference 👍 cheers, Kent

[@stuarts4673]

@@InspireDIY Nail varnish remover? Only ones I can see higher are on amazon

[@InspireDIY]

@@stuarts4673 👍 perfect

[@stuarts4673]

@@InspireDIY Can you use isoprop alcohol, I have this to hand?

[@InspireDIY]

Well, alcohol is good as a disinfectant but not a solvent like acetone, you could try it, it won’t hurt PVC, but it may not have the same etching effect. Acetone is cheap from the hardware store! Good luck 👍 Kent

[@alexouretski115]

Why wouldn’t you do all this BEFORE the down pipes are installed?😀

[@InspireDIY]

Haha yeah, that would make life easier! Unfortunately where they join together they can't have paint where the primer and cement are applied, so they just get painted after connection/installation. Thanks for the comment Alex, 👍Kent

[@jasondowtychristianmusic9401]

Weird how when I accidentally get paint on the down pipes when painting the wall it seems to stick and never come off ;)

[@InspireDIY]

Haha. The irony Jason 🙄

[@rambo3984]

You did not cover back of the gutter to stop paint getting on the wall!!

[@InspireDIY]

Haha,, that’s true Rambo. If I was a better painter I would have🤔 cheers, Kent

[@bludika]

why not just use Krylon spray paint for plastic.... mask things off then paint, easy

[@InspireDIY]

Great suggestion Bludika, I’ll have to give that a try 👍Kent

[@Bolshybwoy]

Amateur! First stage? Remove the gutter from the wall.

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Bolshy, The video is about painting PVC, this is a down pipe on a brick column not colourbond steel gutters attached to fascia - but cheers anayway😂 Kent

[@Bolshybwoy]

@@InspireDIY my mistake...ok, first stage? Remove "downpipe" and brackets, this would take 10 minutes if that, this would avoid getting paint on brickwork, the teeny brush on the bracket is very cute though. In over 40 years in construction i've never seen downpipe painted like this 🤣