Painting plastic garden troughs/pots

[Servalan]

I'm going to pop a post about this in Arts & Crafts too.

I have a couple of empty white plastic garden troughs. They are a good size and would be perfect for what I need, just they look a bit stark and ugly against the wall.

Rather than chucking them out and splashing out on something different, I'm thinking of getting creative and painting patterns etc on them.

Has anyone done this before? If so, what kind of paint works and will a) stay on plastic and b) be fairly weatherproof & suitable for outside?

Thanks

[LaurieFairyCake]

Plasticote spray - get it in DIY places and Wilko's

fantastic stuff - put paper down, do it outside and spray lightly twice so it doesn't run

loads of great colours too

[Servalan]

Ooh, haven't heard of that before, thanks. Does it just come in a spray? I quite fancy trying to use my (very limited ) "artistic" talents to paint some pictures on them too and don't fancy my chances doing that with a spraycan!!

Definitely will look into it - I have a Wilkos in town so I'll pop in later.

[LaurieFairyCake]

what about stencilling? That could have a lovely effect. I haven't seen it come in pots though for using with a brush.

[Servalan]

Oops - just realised I didn't reply to your message. Sorry, that was really rude of me. My brain has been like jelly this last week and i keep forgetting to do stuff.

Not sure about stencilling - I reckon it would look really nice - but I'm into the idea of being all abstract-patterny - my - ahem - "style" is somewhat garish...

Still keeping an eye out for Plasticote at Wilkos though - I had a look the other day, but didn't see it - shopping with DD is never that conducive to me browsing or finding anything! My attention is always diverted by having to stop major destruction from a rampaging toddler!

[thell]

I'm doing this too - I bought Plastikote spray from B&Q to tart up an enormous plastic pot. I gave it a rub over with sandpaper before spraying, to key it and make sure the spray had some texture to stick to.

If you're painting patterns on, then I think acrylic paints might be what you need. They are water based when wet, but dry to an acrylic, waterproof finish. Artists ones a repricey though - I've picked them up cheap from wherever I can, eg Aldi had some in a few weeks ago. Otherwise I think using up tester pots of emulsion would be fine ?

[Servalan]

Thanks for those ideas thell.

The sandpaper's a good idea - I wouldn't have thought of that, but I had wondered how well paint would stay on plastic.

How is your pot looking now you've painted it? Did you just do it in one colour?