Figuring out how to paint PVC pipe seems like it should be easy, but there are actually some key tips and tricks to it.
The reason is that PVC pipes were originally intended only for plumbing and have a very particular molecular composition that prevents most liquids from sticking to the surface of the pipe. This is one of the many great features that make PVC pipes great, but it also makes painting them difficult.
Fortunately, there are ways around this problem. Namely, there are some new types of specific paints that are designed to stick to the surface of PVC pipe. These plastic paints usually come in spray cans, but some are also available in regular cans. So here is a simple 10 step process on how to paint PVC pipes.
10 steps for painting PVC pipes
Exercising caution when handling paints and other chemicals is always a must, whether we’re talking about acrylics, latex paints, or cans of spray paint. If street artists know to be protected when they paint murals on the sides of buildings, you should be careful when painting PVC pipes and in your garage. Here’s how you should best approach the entire process:
1. Choose the right paint
The first key step that will determine the ultimate success or lack thereof of your PVC painting exercise is the type of paint you choose. Fortunately, these days there are plenty of options with almost any type of plastic paint in a spray can capable of working for the surface of PVC pipe.
You should be able to find such paints at most hardware stores, as well as online and on Amazon. Some fan favorite paints are Krylon fusion and Rust-Oleum plastic spray paint but there are many others to choose from. Just make sure that the packaging of the paint you choose explicitly states that it is suitable for painting on plastics and especially PVC.
2. Prepare the necessary additional tools
Painting a PVC pipe it is a time-sensitive process, with fairly precise time intervals and required pauses between each phase. So if you want everything to go smoothly, it’s smart to prepare all the equipment you need ahead of time so that there are no unnecessarily long breaks. Things we would suggest getting ahead of time include:
Sandpaper, especially 220 grit sandpaper – quite a lot, especially if you have a lot of pipes to cover
- Rubber gloves
- Face covering – mask and goggles
- A good paint brush if you are not using a spray can
- Throw away rags
- Acetone – again, lots of it if you have lots of pipes to paint
- Newspapers, old rags and other covers for work area surfaces you want to keep clean
These are more or less the must-haves, but you should plan your own process ahead of time and think about what else you might need.
3. Choose the right day, environment and conditions
Next, it is especially important to choose the right day, time and environmental conditions in your work area before you start. Here’s everything we recommend you consider before you get started:
- Choose a day with low humidity – too much humidity in the air will slow down the drying process and may even affect the appearance of the paint once it has dried
- Choose the right work area – something like a garage or workshop is fine, but it needs to have good air flow paint fumes can be nasty to inspire This means having multiple doors and windows and keeping them open throughout the process. Working outdoors, such as in your yard, may seem tempting, but it’s not a good idea because things like debris and dust in the air or a sudden downpour can easily derail the entire effort.
- Keep all heat sources away – acetone is very flammable like many of the other materials you’ll be using, so it’s incredibly important to keep all heat sources and other electrical appliances out of the work area (this includes smoking).
4. Prepare, cut, resize and connect the PVC pipe in advance if necessary
This may seem obvious, but I’ve heard of many people making this mistake – painting first and then realizing they actually need to scale the piece a bit more or add a connection.
Obviously, doing all of this in advance is not «required» in the same way that safety precautions are, but it is smart to make all the necessary cuts and connections ahead of time, test if the pipe fits where it should go, and do only then go ahead and start painting it.
5. Sand the PVC pipe you want to paint
With all the preparations out of the way, let’s get into the process itself. The first thing you’ll want to do is give the entire PVC pipe a good sanding. It is especially important to do this by hand and not use an electric sander, as that tool can easily wear down the PVC pipe too much, even if you are careful with it.
Instead, sand the pipe by hand using gentle but thorough strokes in all directions. The goal is to smooth the pipe and remove all uneven areas. You should also have plenty of sandpaper with you and change the sheet you use frequently, as the wax coming off the PVC pipe will reduce the effectiveness of the sandpaper pretty quickly.
6. Wipe the pipe and let it dry
Once the pipe is smooth and even, it’s time to get the acetone and a clean cloth. This step is simple – just dampen the rag or piece of cloth with acetone and clean the pipe as best you can. Remember to use rubber gloves for this step, as well as open all windows in the garage if you haven’t already, and remove all heating devices and potential fire starters from your immediate area.
The purpose of this step is not only to remove all the sanding dust from the pipe, but also to properly wet the surface of the PVC pipe with acetone. This is important because it will temporarily swell the surface of the pipe, open up the surface pores and make it even easier to spray the paint.
After that, allow the pipe to dry properly for at least 20 minutes to half an hour. You don’t want to paint over a wet pipe, but you don’t want to wait unnecessarily long either.
7. If necessary, apply a coat of primer
Some plastic paints will require a coat of primer spread on the pipe before painting. Such a primer it is usually a must for non-spray paints, but regardless of the case, it should always be mentioned in the manufacturer’s instructions. If a primer is needed, lightly brush a light coat over the clean pipe and then paint over it – it’s the same process as any other object you want to prime and paint.
The purpose of the primer is to make the paint adhere more easily to the surface of the pipe. For this, it’s best to get a primer in a matte white base color because you can color over it in any color you want. The PVC pipes themselves are usually white, so there shouldn’t be any problem with the primer color here.
8. Spray the pipe with your chosen spray paint
Then the fun part – place the pipe over some pieces of newspaper or other surface covering and start spraying over it. Ideally, the pipe will be slightly raised, so that as little as possible of its surface touches the ground. If you are using non-spray paint, take a second clean brush and begin to spread the paint gently and evenly over the pipe.
Whatever type of paint you use, make sure you go from top to bottom and don’t make the first coat too thick – there will be a second coat after that. As with acetone – let the first coat of paint air dry for about 20 to 30 minutes before adding the second coat.
9. Apply a second coat of paint after the first has dried
Add the second coat of paint as you did the first. The two layers of paint will ensure that the pipe looks good and it is important that these are thin layers to avoid any unevenness in the final product.
10. Wait at least a day – or more – before using the pipe
The minimum waiting time after applying the paint should be 24 hours, so that it does not come off easily after a light touch or impact. If there’s a more serious risk of bumps and scratches, it’s a good idea to wait even longer than that—even up to a week if possible.
In conclusion – how to paint PVC pipe
In general, painting PVC pipes is not that big of a problem if you have chosen the right type of paint and if you exercise basic precautions such as wearing gloves and a face mask, working in a well-ventilated area, and and so on. However, these things need to be pointed out because it’s easy to miss a step if you’re new to this type of DIY thing.
