Asked on Sep 05, 2016

Vintage outdoor Santa needs paint

Cara
by Cara
I just bought an outdoor plastic lighted Santa that is in desperate need of paint. The problem is it looks like others have tried but the paint didn't stick. Plus, I know some paint doesn't let the color shine through when it's lit up from the inside. So, has anyone ever repainted a Santa like this, and if so, what paint did you use?
TIA
  19 answers
  • Bonnie Bonnie on Sep 06, 2016
    He's beautiful showing his "vintage"! Leave him alone!
  • Country Design Home Country Design Home on Sep 06, 2016
    Actually, I think he's pretty cool as is, but if you want to paint him, then I would go with interior/exterior spray paint. But you would actually just spray the paint onto a small tray or bowl and then brush it onto the santa where he needs fixin. It won't be completely translucent but it will be better than regular latex or chalk paint.
  • Susan Tremblay Susan Tremblay on Sep 06, 2016
    Leave him just like that!
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Sep 06, 2016
    It looks like the only thing that needs painting is the red part. Scrape off any old paint, tape off the white areas and spray paint it. I would actually make cardboard "shields" to keep the paint from over spraying onto the white...and do the painting in an open area with no wind!
  • Lak8269964 Lak8269964 on Sep 06, 2016
    I used magic markers to freshen up mine. They worked good.
  • Lynda Carnes Lynda Carnes on Sep 06, 2016
    I'd be careful trying to touch up lighted lawn decor like this classic. Light never shines through quite right. But he looks good to me.
  • Jackie Byrd Jackie Byrd on Sep 06, 2016
    Because his eyes are okay, I'd leave him alone. It's the eyes that make it.
  • Charlene Wagner Juoni Charlene Wagner Juoni on Sep 06, 2016
    You could use window paint (available at Hobby Lobby, Michael's, etc). It would color it but yet let the light shine through.
    • See 1 previous
    • Iam11426689 Iam11426689 on Dec 21, 2016

      I painted the white part that Santa is holding because I had my nieces and nephews names on there. Now that they are much older, I wanted to also add their children. Well, when the light is on, you can see what was previously written on there. Doesn't look too good. Have to figure something out.


  • One8414992 One8414992 on Sep 08, 2016
    Leave him as is...Just overspray all over with clear gloss for a perky look.......He's VINTAGE.....That's good thing!
  • Nancy Bender Nancy Bender on Sep 08, 2016
    I had one in similar condition. I used masking tape and newspaper to cover areas I wasn't painting used spray paint for outdoor plastic then moved on to next area turned out like new
  • Dianne Clements Dianne Clements on Sep 09, 2016
    try alcohol inks...I get mine at micheals . I've paint plastic, wood, resin, glass, etc with good results. they are not thick like paint so do a small area at a time. when completely dry spray with outdoor marine grade clear matte finish. I use 3 coats waiting 24 hours between coats... works for me
  • Sara Araiza Sara Araiza on Nov 17, 2016
    I think I would just paint a small section on his back side and see how it turns out.
  • Kathy Lacy Kathy Lacy on Dec 21, 2016

    first to paint on a plastic in general you need to strip the color off without melting the plastic. I suggest you use a medium weight sand paper to remove the old paints. Then go to the a light weight sand paper to smooth and yet leave a light rough texture on the plastic.. You want to use a paint that is meant for plastic and that will color the christmas red yet allow you to see the light through the paint . You will need paint that will says it is transparent when dry. Transparent paint will allow the light to glow in the santa and light it up well at night. Never use any paint that is an opaque color because they do not allow the light to shine through. Use masking tape and newspaper to paper and tape off the areas you do not want to paint. Paint the uncovered areas allow to dry then lightly sand if you have drips. You will need to lightly repaint if you sand an area. Make it a project you will enjoy and take the time to do it right the first time and your santa will shine for many Christmases to come. Note all of your paint should be made for exterior or outside use only.

  • Irene Marchionni Irene Marchionni on Jan 30, 2018

    Check You Tube to see how to use glass paint.

  • Irene Marchionni Irene Marchionni on Jan 30, 2018

    The simplest way to repaint is to clean it and wipe it down with alcohol thenpaint a layer of clear gesso (found on Amazon or in most craft stores) this guarantees any acrylic paint will adhere evenly.

  • Jessica Linville Jessica Linville on Mar 15, 2018

    We have a Christmas pooh bear and we used Sharpe highlighters so the light still shined through the only problem is the weather does make you have to recolor it basically every year but its worth it!

  • V Smith V Smith on Mar 22, 2018

    I would try paint speciffically for plastic, but I would apply it with a cosmetic sponge. That way you would not see brush strokes when it was lit.

  • Elaine Ward Elaine Ward on Dec 06, 2019

    Ok, have a plastic cow that goes with nativity scene. Has some broke plastic off. Is there a way to repair the plastic.

  • Rosalie Salazar Rosalie Salazar on Dec 31, 2020

    I used moldable plastic beads (also comes with colored beads to color the plastic) to repair a Mary and Joseph, that needed new noses. I did the repair three years ago and it is still holding. This year I will be attempting to repair a whole antique colored nativity set. First I have to somehow remove a bad paint job, repair some cracked or broken parts and get some translucent outdoor paint for plastic.