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Previously, I have posted on how to spray paint plastic bins. Spray painting is currently a very popular technique for decorating plastic totes. But you may be wondering whether this is really the best way to decorate a plastic container. Does it really work, or will the paint just end up chipping or peeling off over time?

The answer to this question is, “It depends.”

What does it depend on? Well, choosing the right type of paint for plastic tubs is the main thing. If you pick a spray paint which was not formulated for use on plastic, it may adhere for a little while, but then it will start to chip away. Glossy paints are particularly susceptible to this issue.

So to start with, try and choose a spray paint which specifically states on the bottle that it works on plastic.

What if for whatever reason you can’t find what you need? Maybe you just have to have a certain color, and that means you are going to be stuck with the wrong kind of paint.

At that point, you are likely to deal with chipping and flaking, but there are steps you can take to try and prevent it from occurring.

The first thing you can do is sand the plastic lightly before you start spray painting. This can improve the texture of the plastic, making it easier for the spray paint to adhere. In fact, you can always take this step if you want to give yourself the very best surface for spray painting.

The next thing you can do is wait for the spray paint to dry, and then apply a coat of Mod Podge or another type of sealant. This will act as a protective barrier, reducing the amount of chipping you have to deal with.

It will not guarantee that the job will last, but it certainly improves the odds. If you are lucky, the paint will hold up for years. The more careful you are with the bins, the better. If you treat them roughly, they will probably peel and chip anyway.

So does spray painting bins work? It all comes down the materials and process you choose when you work on your project. If you pick the wrong supplies or skip key steps, no, your spray paint probably is not going to adhere.

But if you do use the right supplies and take the time to sand and seal, you should achieve success with spray painting plastic bins. It may take some trial and error before you really get it down, but once you do, you will find there are few faster or easier ways to totally transform the appearance of plastic bins.

You can customize their colors, apply metallic paints, and more. Your finished bins will fit in beautifully with your décor, and should hold up great over the years to come. Be sure to check out the other articles on our site for more plastic bin customization ideas!