Best Spray Paint for Vinyl – Finding the Most Effective Vinyl Paint

Before CDs and cassettes, we used to listen to our favorite music on an LP. What made LPs just that extra special was the feel of the item. No modern medium has ever replaced the feel of an LP, this is thanks to the unique feel and texture of a material called vinyl. You may wonder, what is vinyl? Where does it come from and is it a surface you can paint on? The following article will address these questions and provide you with a little more insight into the material known as vinyl.

What Is Vinyl?

Vinyl is a nickname for a material called polyvinyl chloride. Another commonly used name for this material is PCV which is used for the manufacturing of many items throughout the world but is most commonly found in the construction industry. PVC piping has provided a well-priced and robust alternative to copper and/or lead piping. In the past, the go-to material was metal piping as minerals used to be richly available. Sadly, the metal reacts negatively when used in an environment with extremely varying temperatures.

When exposed to heat and cold metal will expand and contract, over time this results in cracks or even burst pipes during the colder winter months. Corrosion also occurs with time, while PVC piping is the complete opposite. PVC piping will expand and contract regardless of the conditions, while also being very resilient to abrasions and impact. PVC is a versatile product and can be used for a variety of items (not just water piping). PCV is often used by installation contractors to protect in-home attics and underground electrical wiring.

PVC is the ideal product for this application as it dissipates moisture and heat with ease and will stop things like rodents and insects from chewing at your home’s wiring. Thanks to its durability, PCV will potentially last a lifetime without caving in or cracking.

Another frequent use of PVC is to make window framing. Previously steel or wood was used to make window frames which we know are both materials that with time decay or corrode. However, PVC does not have any of these constraints. This makes it widely used in new homes for window frames, and in old homes during the renovation process.

The longevity of the building’s infrastructure is enhanced by the use of PVC. PVC is one of the most useful and versatile materials on earth resulting in it being used in home improvements, medical industry, automotive aesthetics, mass production, and even furniture manufacturing. As PVC is pliable, it is extremely customizable in certain of the forms we have mentioned above and offers a surface that paint can adhere to relatively easily. There are types of paint and primer that are preferred for use on vinyl, as certain basic substances of paint are not created to adhere to plastic.

Spray Paint That Can Be Used on Vinyl

When working with vinyl your best paint options would be latex or acrylic paint. You may wonder why that is. Thanks to vinyl contracting and expanding, and the paint used needs to be able to adhere to the fibers of the vinyl, the paint used cannot be too rigid when dried. If it is too rigid the paint will then crack and expose the vinyl surface underneath.

Due to this, the best spray paint for vinyl is thought to be latex, acrylic, or a combination of the two.

If you are not able to find the correct latex or acrylic paint for your vinyl you can use enamel paint that has been specifically graded for use with vinyl. These types of paint offer you the rigidity-to-fixability ratio that you require for vinyl coating, sometimes in an absolute pinch, you can even use them on carbon fiber surfaces.

The Best Spray Paint for Vinyl

Vinyl paint needs to meet the criteria to work effectively on your workpiece. Remember that not all vinyl paints are equal in their quality and level of adhesion. We recommend you purchase what works the best for your specific application needs. We have put together details of a few options available on the market these days.

Best Overall: RUST-OLEUM Vinyl Spray

This particular brand has been around forever and you can see why thanks to the quality finish provided by its paint products. This specific product is no different, the white paint for vinyl comes in an 11 oz can, and is ideal for restoring your office chairs, aged furniture, car interiors, outdoor boarding, and even sporting equipment. What causes the paint to be so effective is that it is made up of actual vinyl particles that assist the vinyl spray to adhere to the surface you have selected. At the same time, it offers great flexibility and resistance to damage.

RUST-OLEUM Vinyl Spray

• Contains vinyl resin particles making the paint flexible
• Durable paint provides a shiny, smooth, and permanent finish
• Suitable for a wide range of different vinyl surfaces

View on Amazon

It can be so frustrating having to wait for the paint to dry, luckily when you have finished applying your last coat of this product you will only need to wait between 10 and 15 minutes before you can apply a sealer or simply move on to your next project. The paint also offers superb resistance to impact, friction, and abrasion. While it is of course not bulletproof, it will stand up to the occasional bump and scratch it is exposed to.

What makes it a particularly stunning product is its finish. The white (slightly ivory) color hue, with its gorgeous smooth glossy finish, will astound you. When using this product, you can feel confident in the knowledge that your finish will last for many years to come.

Best Adhesion: SEM PAINTS Satin Black Color Coat Aerosol

When addressing the question, what is the best spray paint for plastic, we often forget about the spray paint products that are manufactured by the brand SEM. The majority of brands of paint that claim they work on vinyl only do so as a by-product of their base formulation. SEM is different in that they sell an assortment of coating specifically created to work on plastic and vinyl surfaces. SEM has created a large number of products aimed for use on automotive interiors. Thanks to this product’s elastomeric coating this paint is set apart from any other available products on the market.

As discussed previously, PVC products, and therefore vinyl surfaces, contract and expand as a reaction to the ambient temperature. What this coating does is provide a more flexible coating in comparison to other available products.

SEM Paints Satin Black Color Coat Aerosol

• Suitable for different vinyl, plastic, carpet, and velour surfaces
• The elastomeric coating is flexible and will not crack
• Provides superior adhesion, flexibility, and hiding

View on Amazon

This is thanks to its increased elasticity and adhesion to the surface. While other vinyl spray products do an average job coating most surfaces, this range of spray paints specializes in providing your vinyl surfaces with a protective coating that will last a lifetime.

Another great feature of this product is it can be used for spot repairs on the surface where there may be damage or scratches. It will ensure the color matches and you achieve a seamless aesthetic. One can say that this product is the highest quality vinyl spray paint available on the market today. Sadly, good quality comes at a price. This product is, unfortunately, one of the most expensive options out there. Keep in mind that while it may cost a lot, you are certain to achieve a stunning, long-lasting finish.

Best Value: DUPLI-COLOR Flat Black High-Performance Vinyl and Fabric Spray

Dupli-color is another brand that has been around for many years and has consistently provided reliable and quality products. This top-performing black variant does an amazing job of adhering to both plastic and vinyl. While it is not as specialized a product as the SEM spray, it still offers great adhesion and protects the vinyl. In comparison to other spray paints in its class, this brand does a wonderful job of protecting your surfaces and has the additional benefit of offering a similar formula to both the SEM and Rust-Oleum brands.

DUPLI-COLOR Flat Black Vinyl and Fabric Coating

• The aerosol can features an EZ touch conical nozzle
• The paint has a flexible, self-priming formula
• Once sprayed, the paint resists cracking, flaking, and peeling

View on Amazon

Thanks to the ultra-elastic base the product retains adhesion while not compromising flexibility when adhering to your workpieces’ surface. This allows you the option to fold and bend your vinyl piece without the coating falling apart. One of the great aspects of this product is that it self-primes, which is a great feature, particularly if you are working on a time-sensitive project. You also have the benefit of saving money as you will not have to purchase an additional primer that works on vinyl. These specialized primers can be quite expensive.

Dupli-color’s vinyl spray paint is relatively affordable when you think you are getting a product that self-primes, is simple to use, offers increased flexibility, and ensures a high-quality finish.

How to Spray Paint Vinyl Surfaces

If this is your first time painting vinyl, we have put together a tutorial advising you on the steps required, from cleaning, priming, and painting, to sealing your workpiece. It is quite a simple process but it can prove difficult to have to remove paint from vinyl so we recommend you read through our tutorial before beginning. As you will be working with aerosol paint, we recommend you wear the relevant safety gear, including a mask.

Prepare Your Surface

Preparing the surface is imperative. Vinyl is known for attracting dust and mold and it can become positively charged quite easily by friction. You may have noticed that vinyl car interiors (such as your dashboard or glove box) and vinyl blinds become dusty quickly. If you are painting an exterior wall, you might notice some moss and mold growing between the slates. These particles can potentially negatively impact adhesion.

The best option to ensure your vinyl surface is clean is to use some soapy water to remove any particles.

You will see it is a lot easier to clean an exterior vinyl wall as opposed to a car interior or smaller piece of furniture because you will be able to use a pressure washer. To use a pressure washer, simply add the soapy solution to the pressure washer’s reservoir, aim where you want to wash, and shoot. When handling smaller items such as car interiors or furniture you can use a cloth and some warm soapy water. If there are any particularly hard-to-remove spots you can use a scrubbing brush.

Prime Your Surface

Primer plays a huge part in ensuring a durable finish. It is imperative that you prime your surface to ensure adequate adhesion. When you are certain that your surface is dry, take a cloth and wipe it down one more time to ensure that no particulars remain. When you are happy that your surface is clear, take your primer and consult the manufacturer’s instructions advising if it will need to be shaken or mixed before being used. Before you start spraying, we recommend you lay down some old newspaper or a tarp on the floor.  This will ensure that your workspace will not be damaged by the paint.

It is a good idea to scuff up your surface slightly. You can add the adhesion process by using some fine-grit sandpaper to roughen up the surface. Once the surface has been slightly roughened up, you will need to wipe it down to ensure that any extra material that has been sanded off is cleaned away. Now you can start applying the primer. Shake your can once more, and then make clean, uninterrupted passes over the surface you are spraying. Be careful not to miss any corners or tricky bits.

When you are finished applying the first coat of primer, allow time for it to dry.

Consult the manufactures’ instructions to determine the required drying time. Once dried, you can inspect the surface to ensure there are no loose particles, if there are any just use a clean cloth to wipe them off. When you are certain your surface is clean you can apply a second coat of primer and then allow it time to dry before continuing to the next step.

Paint Your Surface

Painting vinyl is a different process from painting the likes of fabric or wood. When you are certain the primer has completely dried, you will need to use some painter’s tape to cover up any open spaces you will not be painting (if you are working with a piece of furniture, ensure that any exposed beading and the legs of the piece are covered up).

When you are certain there are no particles on your primer (should there be any just take a clean dry cloth and wipe them away) you can begin painting. Begin by spraying off the item. If you are working on a flat workpiece use a horizontal motion to apply the spray, or simply work from right to left and vice versa.

To ensure good results when painting vinyl fabric, you will need to make even and quick passes with your spray can, this is because multiple light coats, as opposed to two or three heavy/even coats, work better with this medium.

Do not begin applying an additional coat, until the previous layer is no longer wet. In doing this you will be able to see how the intensity of the vinyl spray paint colors you are using, strengthen as you spray. You can continue to apply layers until you are happy with the finish.

Tips and Tricks For Spraying Vinyl

We have put together a few tips to help you with your next vinyl project to ensure you achieve a stunning finish. Remember preparation is key when painting vinyl fabric.

Choosing a Color

It can be overwhelming having to select a color, particularly due to the sheer volume of paint color options available. When selecting your spray paint colors you will have to consider some aspects. Firstly, where will your workpiece be located and what colors will be found around it? You may be concerned when you begin spraying that the color is a little weak, but this is not the case.

As previously mentioned, you will need to apply multiple light layers as opposed to a few even layers when spraying a vinyl workpiece.

Applying the spray paint in this way will allow you the flexibility to manage the intensity of the color. If you are spraying furniture or even decals for your car, you want to try your best to not clash the color with any existing parts as it can be quite hard to remove spray paint from vinyl.

Preparing Your Workspace

It is a given that when you are working with a paint sprayer, or an aerosol can spray paint you will need to work in a well-ventilated space. Remember that additives can be found in paint formulated to work on vinyl, which ensures flexibility and adhesion. This can cause these paints to be slightly more toxic and dangerous than standard spray paint. Make sure you always work with a mask when applying these paints as inhaling any paint particles can cause you ill health and potentially damage your lungs.

You should not only put down a tarp but also cover up any areas on your workpiece that you do not wish to paint. Vinyl is normally used as a covering or front-facing material, as a result, it is typically attached to items that are not made of vinyl and are more robust. It will become second nature to cover up these parts of your item before applying the paint. Finally, make sure that your work area is set up with all the tools you may require before you begin painting. This is to ensure that you are not running around trying to find things while you are working.

Now that you have an understanding of what vinyl is, and the different ways in which it can be used, how it can be painted on, and how to spray paint vinyl, you can begin painting vinyl. Remember to choose the correct color for your item, and that you are always working in a well-ventilated space. When applying the spray paint to the vinyl surface, apply the paint in many light coats, as opposed to thick layers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Get Paint To Stick to Vinyl?

The secret is in the preparation. To start with you want to ensure that the surface of your item is free of debris and is clean. When you are certain you have a clean surface, if you would like to, you can lightly sand down the surface, but this is not a must. Using a primer that has been formulated for vinyl paint, prime the surface. Apply several light layers of vinyl spray paint to the surface of your item. All sufficient time for each layer to dry before applying the next one.

What Type of Paint Will Adhere to Vinyl?

The majority of paints that adhere to plastic will also adhere to vinyl. This means that the best spray paint for plastic will also paint on vinyl. Paints that work particularly well on vinyl include enamel, acrylic and latex paints. Certain of these paints are water-based which enables them to seep into and adhere to the vinyl with great ease as opposed to the paints with a thicker consistency.

Can You Spray Paint Vinyl?

Yes, vinyl is processed plastic. This means that the majority of paints that adhere to plastic will also work on vinyl. You can also use fabric paint on vinyl but they tend to be quite costly.