spray painting plastic- best primer

Spray painting plastic is hard, this is the best primer I have found and the tests I did to back them up.
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[@corin164]

The "Purple Primer" is essentially "Acetone" which PVC makers recommend for priming PVC. The purple coloring is for building inspector's benefit. It's an indication that the PVC piping was primed before the bonding solution/agent was applied.

[@mrgcav]

Purple Primer usually has four active ingredents, plus dye. Its not just acetone.

[@mr.potato1649]

Gotta have some glue in it or I couldn't use it so seal up small cuts

[@Nu-techdirect]

I use rubbing alcohol to clean the surface first. When dry then I prime with Rustoleum Self Etching Primer - Gray. Then what ever Rustoleum 2X color I need. Finish with Rustoleum Matte Clear Coat. I have camo painted all my pellet rifles, shooting benches / tables (folding tables which are plastic). I have also painted T-Fal frying pans, these make excellent cheap plinking targets. Any paint I used without the self etching primer would flake off in big chunks when struck with pellets. This stopped when i switched rustoleum self etching primer. I know its a bit off topic, but the point Im trying to make is this Self Etching primer is awesome on plastics and tough as nails. I don't have to repaint my plastic surfaces anymore due to normal wear and tear. Great Video! :)

[@StiltbeastStudios]

thats awesome- I see future testing is in order!

[@GregoryHaynes]

Great tip.

[@wilfredrivera6521]

Does it come in clear? sos that I can paint something white

[@ericjohnson6675]

Chemist here with a few years coating chemistry experience. Never though of purple primer for polyethylene especially HDPE. Makes sense. Solvent softens HDPE and let's materials penetrate the polymer network. I looked at ingredients over 10 years ago and, back then, listed a chemical used to bond scratch resistant coatings to polycarbonate eyeglass lenses. So it makes sense for purple primer to help bond paiit to plastic. Now I have a resin shed converted to home office that needs its roof painted and this looks better than anything made by paint companies.

[@pam6400]

Thanks great to hear back from a chemist.

[@marleonetti7]

people are looking for an adhesion test , not a wire brush scratch test because any coating in gonna get scratched from using a steel wire brush on it , even a 5000 dollar factory automotive paint job is gonna easily get scratched from using a steel wire brush on it. he should have tested it with using his fingernails or cleaning it to see what the results of that would be because that would be the most likely thing to come in contact with most surfaces . but contact with a wire brush is not common so this video was kind of useless .

[@maxsanquen]

Caution ! The purple PVC primer is a great bonding agent! .. However if you are going to spray paint a white or lighter color the purple color will bleed up through the paint and leave a splotchy purple cast in your finished paint, Even with numerous coats of paint the purple will reappear. Oatley does make a clear PVC primer that works very well and won't bleed through your finished paint.

[@StiltbeastStudios]

thank you, yeah Im only going for black at the moment! great tip though!

[@MP-vf8qz]

Could you leave the primer on it as a top coat outdoors?

[@dragan3290]

@@MP-vf8qz no it will perish. Primer and car putty soak water.

[@beautifulcrazy]

Oh thanks for this info.

[@JoseRuiz-eb3gn]

With the purple primer did you sand as well??? Or just apply and then sprayed after drying??

[@kelbrl18]

This was soooo helpful! Thank you! I've always had a hard time painting plastic so this is exactly what I need

[@vonitadustylgreen2914]

Thank you Allen. Since I just got into lots of crafts 3 years ago this is going to help me so much. You and Shannon stay safe. Stay blessed. Love and Hugs to you both.

[@StiltbeastStudios]

You are so welcome, go make stuff!

[@kitalia1]

This actually makes me super happy to see. I did so much sanding of pipes last year to paint. I was so afraid it wouldn't hold up through storage. I feel so much better knowing I took the time that they may make it through.

[@StiltbeastStudios]

I hate sanding, but it does work really well.

[@mattlawton4715]

@@StiltbeastStudios it's over time that it will peal 👍

[@Bildgesmythe]

Your comparison videos are invaluable! Thanks for all your time and hard work!

[@StiltbeastStudios]

Thank you! And thank you for watching!

[@scottwatts3879]

Kudos to presenter. So many amatuers are SO BAD at presenting otherwise great information but this video was to the point, well thought out, and presented very well. GREAT JOB! 🥳

[@courtneyboozer7521]

Oh my goodness thank you Allen!!! Needed this tutorial...you da bomb as always!!!

[@StiltbeastStudios]

glad you liked it

[@benju2438]

This was SERIOUSLY helpful! Thank You!

[@StiltbeastStudios]

I'm so glad!

[@EldritchEyeFilms]

I love your videos like this(going all the way back to your blood tests video). Super helpful and informative!

[@StiltbeastStudios]

thank you

[@mljezierski]

Thanks so much for doing this. I've used spray adhesive, and didn't have much luck either. Sanding was my alternate, and I hated doing it. I will use the purple primer on my next project. Thanks again; you're awesome!

[@StiltbeastStudios]

Glad I could help!

[@rebeccasinton6535]

Thank you Allen for sharing the video! It saved me a lot of trouble with beautifying the old plastic corrugated roofing panels of my front porch. Two thumbs up!

[@StiltbeastStudios]

Glad it helped

[@pam6400]

Allen, this is such a great demo. You used a pail that is almost impossible to hold paint. Trying all these primers on a small surface sold me. I hope I can get a gallon of this to spray plastic trellis that won't be too expensive. Thanks again.

[@MichaelGa]

Main solvent in pvc primer is acetone. Fast acting solvent used to soften, clean and prepare plastic. Nothing of adhesion is left behind. You are painting chemically treated raw plastic. Purple is mainly a visual indicator. Once opened, they both quickly disappear from the can. Even with the top on. Makes it hard to keep on our trucks.

[@StiltbeastStudios]

thanks for the info!

[@tommynjes]

Everything I search on how to, I get extra excited when I see there is a Stilt beast video on the subject.

[@StiltbeastStudios]

Im so glad, and just happy to help

[@Cisco36691]

The purple primer gets my vote! Thanks !

[@StiltbeastStudios]

it seems to work pretty well.

[@Bacardibombillo]

Dude... believe it or not. Your video rocked.💪😊

[@robsthings]

I love it when you R&D test stuff.

[@StiltbeastStudios]

its also very fun

[@graffiuk2442]

That video was really good .im using different types of plastic for my dragons primers are so important to get right before spraying. Thanks Allen I like the purple suff

[@StiltbeastStudios]

Glad it was helpful!

[@knowyourjoe8826]

And yet another valuable informative video. Thanks for Sharing!

[@StiltbeastStudios]

Glad it was helpful!

[@CobwebsandCandlesticks]

Loved this video! As an automotive painter I always sand and never paint anything shiny. I use a ready to spray adhesion promoter when painting non steel.

[@RocketPunchHero1]

Is adhesion promoter expensive?

[@CobwebsandCandlesticks]

@@RocketPunchHero1 about a 116$ a gallon for Transstar brand. I scuff or sand first then shoot a coat of promoter on through an hvlp( paint) gun or airbrush for small parts.

[@StiltbeastStudios]

I will add that to a future test list

[@swingbelly]

Cobwebs; is there something in a spray can from a big box store to use as a primer? Thanks man.

[@CobwebsandCandlesticks]

@@swingbelly not that ive seen. There is a an adhesion promoter in a spray can made by UPOL to be sprayed before shooting bedliner down. I haven't tried yet but I.might buy a can and test it. Never paint anything shiny though! That's the best advice, sand ot first for a strong mechanical bond.

[@mattzelonka1189]

MEK is a amazing chemical. That is one of the chemicals in purple primer. I believe in the raw form it has been banned. Engine (enamel) paint or high temp (grill paint) work amazingly well. We used to paint the rims of our Vw with it and it held up the best. I painted a old milk can with engine paint and it has been in my yard in the rain and sun daily for 30+ years and its still looks red and shiny.

[@dskeeterman1]

I will try that hi temp flat black on my trim,great idea.

[@mrgcav]

MEK is Chlorform and it is still available. But it alone will not prep of dull HDPE plastic.

[@royalrobson28]

Another VERY useful video Mr Hopps! I've been meaning to do a similar kind of side-by-side test for over 25 years! You have now answered that question once and for all and I thank you sincerely for sharing 🙏🏻

[@StiltbeastStudios]

thank you, I will test a few types of paints on plastic next

[@TriangleHaunter]

I've used the 3M spray adhesive to get spray paint to adhere to plastic wrap when making noodle roots and vines. Works pretty good. Paint hasn't scratched off yet and it does get a bit beat up with setup and tear down every year, but that was on plastic wrap and not on HDPE/PVC plastic.

[@StiltbeastStudios]

got it, I will add plastic wrap to my tests in the future!

[@MichelleSchulte1964]

Thank you! Again, much needed information.

[@StiltbeastStudios]

Glad it was helpful! I will do more testing for sure.

[@nadronnocojr]

Nicely done, I have been a user of a scotch brite before with a rag of denatured alcohol before I hit any plastic with paint ...just to knock a little of the gloss off ..............great video , right to it and thanks for the patience to wait 7 days .... have a super week !

[@StiltbeastStudios]

I will actually have an update soon as I try a new process or two.

[@deoblo85]

this has always been my biggest problem ...not scratching the paint off my plastic .... thanks for sharing it was extremely helpful HFL!!

[@StiltbeastStudios]

Glad to help

[@TwinsofDestruction]

Thanks for the video and the helpful tip!

[@StiltbeastStudios]

Glad it was helpful!

[@BeingRomans829ed]

Very good video. Got right to the point and had good conclusions. I need to do some painting on an old Lawn Boy lawn mower shroud, and it looks like Purple Primer is what I need, especially since I will be painting a small area (not the whole shroud) that has some contours that would make it hard to sand without sanding areas I don't want sanded. Thanks much!

[@StiltbeastStudios]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ms.kalico4489]

I really appreciate this! Thank you!

[@StiltbeastStudios]

Glad it was helpful!

[@menanedelcu7814]

Great information!! Thank you

[@Hugojosecor]

Excellent video!

[@StiltbeastStudios]

Glad you liked it!

[@crumb1568]

Great vid man.

[@miltonthacker1586]

I would love to see if the tenting project goes well , I have a few projects I'd love to finish with a good hold on paint , that was very helpful

[@StiltbeastStudios]

I should be able to do it soon- sifting through all the materials in the shop that froze and were destroyed now actually.

[@TomOutland]

Helpful, thank you

[@carlosalbertodelgado7701]

great video, thanks !!

[@StiltbeastStudios]

Glad you liked it!

[@57door]

Thank you so much :)

[@grimpath]

Haven't looked recently, but they used to sell untinted PVC primer. They started making it purple so plumbing inspectors could easily tell primer had been used in construction. Also, you can get the primer in a spray can now, more expensive, but I know you weigh cost vs ease vs time too. You may also be able to use it through an air gun, but I don't know, it is quick drying so it might clog up quickly.

[@StiltbeastStudios]

im pretty sure it would eat the bottle, and they do still sell the clear

[@kevinleonard5315]

Where can you get the primer in a spray can? I've looked locally and on line and nobody has ever heard of it.

[@grimpath]

@@kevinleonard5315 I saw it at Menards.

[@chaosbringer12]

I've been trying to paint Polypropylene plastic eggs for an easter diorama I'm making for the last 2 days and have learned the hard way that the paint just peels right off. I tried some sanding, but it's pretty unappealing for what I'm working on. I'm going to pick up some purple primer tomorrow and see how it goes. Thanks for the video!

[@StiltbeastStudios]

good luck!

[@chaosbringer12]

@@StiltbeastStudios Unfortunately the purple stuff bled through the white primer I was using even with several coats. I put another color over it and it looks a little better, but It seems sanding may be my personal best option. It's hard to do on a giant egg though :D

[@ms.kalico4489]

@@chaosbringer12 they have it in clear.

[@robynrobison4050]

I do a Iot of DIY PVC projects and find Krylon Fusion All In One work the best. It has both primer and paint combined and adheres well.

[@StiltbeastStudios]

great tip

[@SertEngineering]

Thank you for sharing

[@lawrencemccoy]

Thank you

[@kellyhawkes3191]

Thankyou, a very useful video.

[@StiltbeastStudios]

Im glad it was handy!

[@monstermorguetutorials3139]

Great info. Hi Allen

[@StiltbeastStudios]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@dskeeterman1]

I have plastic trim on my sorento that was scuffed and took away the texture and had to replace a few pieces. What I did was to remove the trim and make a block from 2×4 to support the back side.then with a piece of the old textured trim 2"×6" glued to a radius on another 2"×4 .using a heat gun and heating the trim (I practiced on the old peice) I was able to transfer the texture to the damaged trim by pressing and with a roll motion using it as a sort of die,make sure to also put a champher on the edges.i then (using the clear primer ) painted it with flat black from the auto paint storei its holding up great.it takes so time to get the texture right but with some practice on the old trim,with different heat and pressure methods it can come out prity good.also for small spots I used a plywood backing on a smaller die using vice grips.id like to see a expearamint with that.any other methods you come up with.thanks for the great info,if been searching for a good adhesive to hold the paint,I think you nailed it buddy.😉

[@arschwarz29]

This is SO helpful Allen! Thank you. I have 8 full-size plastic bouncy horses to do for my display this year, and this will absolutely save me future headache.

[@StiltbeastStudios]

I cant wait to see what you do!

[@greccco]

@Amy Ranae Schwarz hello good day, i am just here to inquire about the 8 full-size plastic bouncy horses, i am very much invested. I subbed to you in case you decided upload a video of them. Have a nice day! :D

[@QUEERPASSBAYERN]

Thanx for share the test... was bit confused, that the beginn was mirrowed... Greet from Munich, Mariooooo 🤘🏼

[@StiltbeastStudios]

same info, just flipped.

[@godsflesh]

Thanks for sharing that allen

[@StiltbeastStudios]

more tests to come

[@unleavenedmusic7520]

Awesome! I’ve always wondered what spraypaint sticks the best to. 😁

[@StiltbeastStudios]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@msgajhimelret9496]

Thanks, very good video... I would litely sand any smooth plastic and use a gray plastic primer...

[@StiltbeastStudios]

Great tip!

[@drummerpdp1476]

Love this thanks you

[@StiltbeastStudios]

You are so welcome!

[@spiketheallosaurus5136]

I've used rubbing alcohol and a green scrubby pad. It seems to sand it enough to bond well but it doesn't really look sanded.

[@StiltbeastStudios]

great tip!

[@nikoheiniger3002]

Thank you for this video! I'm making a wrought-iron fence for Halloween decor with pvc pipe and I wanted to give my paint job the best shot at sticking. One question though: before painting, how long can I let the purple pvc primer sit before it would become useless?

[@gogumarshmallow]

thank you

[@StiltbeastStudios]

You're welcome

[@analizakearns1339]

Thank you! It gives me options and ideas on how-to! :) new subscriber here! :D

[@kpocala1061]

Would like to try the purple primer trick to my kayak. I'm curious if you could top coat the rustoleum 2x with another paint that is submersible. Thanks for the video I've been searching forever to find some way to paint polyethylene

[@GaryGreenway]

Looking forward to the tinting experiment

[@StiltbeastStudios]

me too, soon!

[@haywardhaunter2620]

I'm curious if you've tried a flex test. My disappointment with spray-painted plastic, especially thinner plastic, mostly stems not from abrasions but from flaking when the plastic flexes. Anyway, I love seeing experiments like this. Thanks!

[@StiltbeastStudios]

i didnt really paint anything thin, so I did not

[@dskeeterman1]

That would be a good test.never thought pvc primer would work so good.

[@debraquantmeyer7483]

This was great!!! Did you ever do a video on tinting the purple primer? I would be VERY interested in that! Painting plastic is a huge part of theater and always a challenge.

[@StiltbeastStudios]

Not yet! I swear I will soon.

[@timcoulson7340]

I just mixed some very dark Minwax oil-based stain with a half a can of purple primer and coated a 10" length of 1.5" PVC. I'll let you know how it does and if it seems to work I'll decipher specifically what stain I used.

[@SpookySpencerFinnLoki]

Thank you for this video. You did the real world testing for us. Plastic is such a pain to paint! Wonder if you could spray the purple primer from a paint gun for larger projects? Def an outside job.

[@StiltbeastStudios]

you could, but wear a respirator for sure

[@Scorponox93]

I wonder how they do on bending tests. I spray paint plastic bottles for a number of things and they do fine until the plastic bends for whatever reason. Paint pops right off in big flakes which then disintegrate like burnt paper. One time I did give a layer of water based acrylic paint to an ice cream bucket and then spray painted it and it seems to have done a lot better, but I did loose the even, glossy finish that all the others have.

[@Dr.Randy.Butternubs]

One thing to consider, painting plastics can have a chemical affect on the structural integrity of the material, usually making it weaker.

[@StiltbeastStudios]

it can, its normally minimal most of the work I do is decorative.

[@camolineowens9365]

Fantastic!! I have always had to sand plastic before painting with acrylics, doing faux curtain rods or picture frames. Then Dixie Chicks came out with a product called “Slick Stick” but it didn’t impress me none. Ive gotten better results by just spraying on Rustoleum 2X in clear matte. I’ve been wanting to paint my plastic shed to match my house, just not sure how to go about it. (Lifetime Shed) I wonder if etching cream (like for glass or ceramics) would do any better? My shed is 9ft x 20ft so I’d need a lot! lol Also, I’ve heard there is some type of bonding agent you can add to paint and use a hvlp sprayer… would be worth investigating. Love your creativity!

[@StiltbeastStudios]

I have a follow up to this coming soon

[@ali-sleimanchehade6129]

Amazing video!!!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏 now need to find a way to get my hand on the purple primer!!! Gonna extremely hard in Ivory Coast 🤦‍♂️

[@StiltbeastStudios]

good luck!

[@mljezierski]

What is the best way to prep and paint pool noodles?

[@ChristineBarger]

Does it make it even better if you sand before the purple primer?

[@StiltbeastStudios]

it does

[@lifeofsmac5259]

I plan to paint a beverage cart. It's in a bit of rough shape so I'll have to sand for sure. I'm curious how this will hold up over time with putting ice in it and pulling/pushing drinks in/out of it...🤔 Is there a waterproof sealer I should use?

[@StiltbeastStudios]

any good outdoor sealer should help

[@63phillip]

would love to see tinting the primer test

[@StiltbeastStudios]

soon!

[@beautifulcrazy]

Thanks for this test and video. I'm working on a community art project PVC board and my students will use acrylic paint once primed. Do you think that will work?

[@heathercorey1789]

I used the clear primer makes such a difference. Thank you for this awesome tip.

[@StiltbeastStudios]

You are so welcome!

[@OldBonesCreative]

Awesome info, thanks Allen! Any reason why the first half of the video uploaded flipped horizontally? Everything is backwards. I do think this video shows us more of how desructive your thumbnail is rather than how effective a primer can be!

[@StiltbeastStudios]

I am a master of destruction.

[@saralynn518]

Wanting to spray paint my kayak. I'm thinking sanding and purple primer. Lots of items to scratch it out there, plus drag marks on the side, I just know it's going to come off the normal way. Just not sure what size of the primer to get. Time to check out good top coats. Thank you for this informative video!

[@StiltbeastStudios]

its not very expensive, so Id get the big can.

[@davidrussell6159]

So in your opinion. Would the Purple primer work even better with sanding it too? Or would sanding just be a waste of time ? I also noticed the mirroring at the beginning. Thanks very much !

[@StiltbeastStudios]

Sanding is never a waste of time, but you will change the look of the surface. if you want it smooth then just primer, if you dont mind a scratchy surface.

[@devilsgatecemetery]

Purple primer.. who would have thought.. Got to pick up some but I think they sell it in clear too..

[@StiltbeastStudios]

they do- Im normally painting darker so the purple works

[@devilsgatecemetery]

@@StiltbeastStudios Allen thank you for all your help and info..!

[@chad7822]

Wonder if sanding & contact cement would be tough?

[@foodforthought73]

Awesome job love qll your vids.. ive watched all. Just cant comment from the television,,,,lol..

[@StiltbeastStudios]

I appreciate that!

[@foodforthought73]

@@StiltbeastStudios your wecome...

[@TheNewton]

spray adhesive as a primer for painting HDPE surfaces you want to reset to default color by simple scraping or maybe pressure washing🤔? Also could make giant scratch off ticket things.

[@StiltbeastStudios]

it does scratch off that easy lol.

[@billfoster6809]

Excellent! I'm a long-time fan. Now, PLEASE show us a way to paint pool noodles!!! Nothing sticks!

[@StiltbeastStudios]

Great suggestion!

[@Lisa-qk1xj]

I've heard they make spray paint specifically designed for plastic. What if you did a test with the following four on, let's say, a faded deck storage box. 1) No primer, just the spray paint for plastic. 2) Sanding and then the spray for plastic. 3) The PVC primer and then the plastic specific spray paint. Then lastly, 4) I saw on another video that you have to first wash the deck box with soapy, sudsy, water, wipe it down, apply paint thinner and let it dry. Then spray with spray paint meant for plastic. I'm curious to see if a spray paint designed for plastic works better with a prepping stage or without.

[@jimkeown2074]

I, based on this excellent video am going to combine a light sanding, then the primer and the results should be great for PVC pipe painted brown.

[@tsk_020]

I am painting mine plastic car bumper (PP) and when the paint drys if soaks into the plastic. The paint dissapears. How can i fix that?

[@34dawgsgo]

Apologies if this was already asked. Would electrical grey conduit plastic be the same?

[@Gollammeister]

I've read that to spray on plastic your supposed to sand first then clean with mild soap and water Then supposedly use rubbing Alcohol to ensure the surface is very clean then you use a acrylic type primer But I've not seen any spray on undercoat which I'm assuming you do not need to use an undercoat unless anyone else can tell me different

[@StiltbeastStudios]

This whole video is me figureing it out- these are my methods.

[@a1930ford]

Did you ever try making the black dye color you mentioned in this video? I can't find another video of such on your website.

[@JennyCaldas0506]

need help. I used a cleaning chemical on my vinyl fence and left shiny streaks and browned a bit. how would you take that. I didn't use it on the whole vinyl fence. could I use your methods?

[@shawnlotter4690]

Did you end up trying to tint the pvc primer? I’d love to hear how it worked out.

[@MrGladiator241969]

Any replies to this pvc primer tinting?

[@stormrodgers2613]

Well, that's great. I'm a plumbed, so I have plenty of purple primer. Haha!

[@StiltbeastStudios]

Sweet!

[@kathyditton1045]

What about sanding first before primer?

[@sharilee90]

Not sure if you will see this or not, but what would you suggest to use to paint one of those small brown 3 drawer plastic Sterilite bathroom drawer organizers? The one with the weave pattern on it. I want to paint it light purple to match my bathroom.

[@StiltbeastStudios]

I would go with one of the *made for plastic spray paints like fusion from Walmart- they are actually pretty good.

[@Johnny53kgb-nsa]

Good video experiment. I wonder if sanding and wiping down with acetone before finish painting would work?

[@StiltbeastStudios]

Im sure it would help

[@charleshetrick3152]

Would suggest the test we did at the cabinet shop. Apply your top coat let it cure the cut a checker pattern into it and lay piece of masking tape down and yank it off.

[@StiltbeastStudios]

noted, I will give that a try!

[@marleonetti7]

@@StiltbeastStudios people are looking for an adhesion test , not a wire brush scratch test because any coating in gonna get scratched from using a steel wire brush on it , even a 5000 dollar factory automotive paint job is gonna easily get scratched from using a steel wire brush on it. u should have tested it with using your fingernails or cleaning it to see what the results of that would be because that would be the most likely thing to come in contact with most surfaces . but contact with a wire brush is not common .

[@marythomas6478]

I am upcycling polypropylene feed bags making tote/grocery bags. I am trying to paint some. Wondering what you think about primer/paint for this project. I’m not having great performance with my few methods I’ve quickly tried. Thank you

[@jamesgregory6507]

Hi, my brother painted he's plastic ceiling with two coats of white under coat and then one coat of gloss, in the bathroom. Is it going to last.

[@jeremyoshea7941]

Solutions plus is a plastic rejuvenator. And last forever. Check it out might be a good tint but you do have to wipe to level it?

[@StiltbeastStudios]

I will check it out!

[@jasonrcky4450]

Would you recommend sanding before purple primer or would it hurt??

[@StiltbeastStudios]

sanding always helps adhesion

[@garyedgar2594]

Sanding always comes thru

[@StiltbeastStudios]

yup, hard work is sadly the best way

[@apach0108]

Would it be a good idea to lightly sand the surface before using the purple pvc cleaner as the primer?

[@phoenixflores6193]

Cosplayer here, you saved me