How to paint plastic window sills at home

Plastic window sills are inexpensive, easy to maintain, but less resistant to mechanical stress than wood or natural stone. Scratches quickly appear on the surface; under direct exposure to sunlight, the material turns yellow, losing its decorative effect. To eliminate the imperfections, you can paint the plastic window sills.

The need to paint a plastic window sill

PVC products do not require special care: it is enough to periodically wipe them from dust. However, sometimes it is necessary to paint the windowsill:

• the appearance of mechanical damage on the surface, which spoils the appearance of the product;
• partial or complete yellowing of PVC;

Change the color of the window sill if you plan to update the interior of the room.

Paint selection rules

The main condition for using PVC paint is good adhesion to the substrate surface. Plastic is slippery, so not every coating will last long on it. The paint and varnish material must be resistant to moisture, ultraviolet rays, mechanical stress, easy to apply. You cannot choose a composition that, when heated, will release toxic substances.

Water based acrylic paints

The paint is resistant to defects and dries quickly. In addition to the dye, it contains a hardener that makes the coating chemically inert and resistant to mechanical stress after drying. When applied to the surface of the base, smudges are not formed.

The texture of such paints is uniform, not too thick. The advantage of the composition is a good hiding power. Water-based polyurethane-acrylic compounds create a dense moisture-repellent film that is non-sticky. With proper care, the coating does not lose its decorative qualities for about 7-9 years.

Metal paints

You can paint the window sills with special compositions for metal.

• Vinyl. Their distinctive feature is environmental friendliness, acceptable cost. They can be used indoors, provided that the window sill does not give in to mechanical stress.
• Rubber. They contain bitumen in their composition. The coating is resistant to mechanical damage, protects the base from moisture and chemicals. Paints of this type lie flat on the surface of the window sill and have good adhesion. However, they are expensive and difficult to apply.

To work with these compositions, use a brush or roller.

Spray paint

Window sill spray paint is sold in cans with a special spray bottle. It is convenient to use, the coating is uniform. The material has a high degree of adhesion to plastic surfaces. The coating is resistant to mechanical stress. Additional tools are not required for work. The advantage is the wide range of colors.

You need to work with spray paint very carefully, as it is sprayed over a large area. The window structure will have to be additionally protected. Several shades cannot be mixed with each other. The remains of the composition in the can can be stored for a long time.When reapplying, the new layer completely overlaps the previous one.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane paint for plastic windowsills has a high degree of adhesion and durability. An advantage is the absence of the need for preliminary priming of the base, if its surface is not too dirty or damaged.

The polyurethane coating is resistant to wear and tear, therefore it is suitable even for wide window sills that are subject to mechanical stress. Even with an increase in the hardness of a plastic product, their elasticity and resilience do not decrease. The coating is resistant to direct sunlight, does not fade.

Required tools and materials

Painting a plastic window sill is carried out with a brush, roller, spray gun or spray can. The work additionally requires the following tools and materials:

• putty knife;
• paint brush (used to apply a primer);
• sandpaper (coarse and fine-grained);
• adhesive tape and oilcloth to protect the window frame and adjacent surfaces (required when using spray paint);
• putty for leveling the surface of the window sill.

In some cases, the substrate is primed to ensure better adhesion to the paint. If the window sill has already been painted, a building hair dryer or a special wash will be required to remove the old layer.

Preparatory work

Before painting the window sill with water-based, acrylic or other paint, it must be prepared. For this, the following manipulations are carried out:

• houseplants and other objects are removed from the windowsill;
• wash the surface of the plastic with a cloth soaked in soapy water;
• remove static voltage from the base;
• the window sill is treated with an adhesive-based impregnation, which will improve adhesion to the paint layer;
• eliminate scratches or other defects with putty (before applying the composition, the damage is cleaned with sandpaper and treated with a degreasing agent).

Each layer of putty or primer applied must dry.

If there is no damage, it is enough to wipe off dust and sand the base to improve adhesion. For degreasing, use a universal solvent or special compounds for plastic. The window is closed with polyethylene, which is attached with tape.

DIY paint technology

Before applying the paint, you can tint it. For this, the pigment is added to the calculated amount of the base composition. The paint application procedure is not complicated. It provides for the following actions:

1. Applying a primer. A cleaner is often used instead. However, it must contain sticky substances.
2. Paint application. It is better to use an aerosol version of the composition or a spray bottle. This way the substance is applied more evenly. Spraying is carried out from top to bottom. The appearance of gaps and smudges should not be allowed. Apply the paint in a thin layer.
3. Drying. During the hardening period of the composition, it is necessary to close the window and doors to prevent a draft. It is desirable to protect the surface from dust, temperature extremes. Indoor humidity should not exceed 70%.

Drying time is on average 7-9 hours. However, it can be shortened. To do this, use a hair dryer that warms up the air to 80 degrees.

Precautions for work

When using acrylic or any other paint, you must follow some rules for performing work:

• Wear protective clothing and gloves when preparing the substrate. Sanding the window sill with sandpaper is accompanied by the formation of dust, so it is advisable to wear a mask or respirator.
• After treating the surface with primer or solvent, you need to ventilate the room to remove the pungent odor.
• It is better to apply the paint with gloves and a protective mask (if necessary).

Heaters or other electrical appliances must not be installed nearby during operation After using the aerosol, the can cannot be disassembled, as it is under pressure.