How do you paint plastic and Altoid tins and have it stick?

Louise
by Louise
I'm painting Altoid tins....sanded them, rubbed them down with alcohol, let them dry, sprayed them with 3 light coats of the best single combined Krylon primer/color recommended. Slightest scrape or scuff and the paint comes off. I am making altered art inside them and need them to hold up. Recent batch was for Halloween so, I simply scratched them, with my fingernail not even something metal, to make an even more scary effect. Don't want this for a Christmas presentation or something not Halloween. Alternative is to use deco paper to cover them, however, that is very time consuming with precise cutting skills...on top of all the other decorating process.

I also need to paint shiny and dull plastic items...containers, toys and Halloween plastic decorations. These items will be used for art pieces not actual rough use for children. Loews brand spray primer was suggested to use by itself for prime and color. I have spent so much money on various mediums with no luck. Is this a chalk paint type use?

These items are mostly for resale so I need to present a solid lasting finish.

Thank you so very much .

  2 answers
  • GrandmasHouseDIY GrandmasHouseDIY on Nov 06, 2017

    Hi Susan my first thought was to suggest rustoleum which is the toughest oil based paint I've found. I know I've seen people use a little dye coloring in mod podge and then painting it on, I'm thinking using a glue like that would probably do better then any kind of paint.

    • See 1 previous
    • GrandmasHouseDIY GrandmasHouseDIY on Nov 06, 2017

      I hear ya, I've been a bit disgruntled with some of the new paints they're coming out with now. Seems like they promise more then they deliver lol

  • Rebecca Hare Lehman Rebecca Hare Lehman on Nov 06, 2017

    I use super fine sandpaper on tins I plan on painting. I let each coat dry for 8 hours before moving on to the next. A friend of mine bakes them for a couple of hours on 175. Used spray adhesive as primer on one of those huge popcorn tins a while back. Covered the rim and inside lid to keep them free of adhesive. Let dry overnight. Weather was very warm- 80s or so and 0% humidity so did all outside. Would never have tried it but was broke and desperate. Had to have a gift in two days, planned everything and the only paint I had was interior latex. I sanded between coats 1 and 2 of paint. Did 4 coats and then spray varnish. Paint stuck and is still on the tin. It's being used for puppy treats and doesn't get much use. If it had been lumpy and yucky was going to cover the whole thing in lace. Modeling paints and fingernail polish also work really well.

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    • Louise Louise on Nov 06, 2017

      Rebecca....Loved the tin info....but, did you have any thoughts on how to paint plastic? Have to paint bunches for an art show next Spring and Fall. Thanks