Image: MomJunction Design Team
Buying more plastic toys for our children can lead to more wastage and pollution in the environment. So, we have created a list of the best paints for plastic toys to help you minimize wastage by painting the old plastic toys in new colors for a fresh look and reuse them. You can renew your toys with a fresh coat of colorful, fun paints.
From glitters to neons, these time-tested colors allow your child to unleash their creativity and give the toys a personal touch. They are also safe for children, environment friendly, and lead-free. So, take a look at our list of best-selling options to choose the right paints for your next art project.
Top Picks
Tips For Painting On Plastic Toys
Here are a few things to remember when painting a plastic toy.
- Trial: Test your paint on an unseen part of the figure before using it to verify if it’s working well.
- Preparation: Clean the toy well with soapy water before painting and let it dry thoroughly. If your toy contains moving parts, dismantle them carefully first to avoid sealing the joints with paint and making them immovable.
- Protection: You can protect the toy against paint damage with a clear spray coating. It is best applied as a spray, but keep in mind that it might make your item appear shinier than the original figure.
- Base Coat: Start with a base coat if you plan to repaint a toy completely. Use a black base coat for a dark-colored toy and a white base coat for a light-colored one.
14 Best Paints For Plastic Toys
1. Best Easy-To-Clean:Funzbo Forest Animals Painting Set
The Funzbo crafting set comes with seven different animal models made of durable ABS plastic that can be painted with bright and easy-to-clean toy paint colors included in the set. Let your child’s creativity grow as they add details to their favorite animals using these water-based toy paints. There are five large animals and two smaller animals to complete a zoo or forest-based project.
Pros
- Non-toxic material
- Includes three brushes
- Includes mixing palette
- Suitable for cooperative play
Cons
- Paint may rub off eventually
- Paint may dry quickly
"This animal painting set served as a fun creative activity for the holiday season. Though it lacks proper instructions, with a little parental guidance, it helped my children explore their imagination. Once painted, we used the figurines for pretend play."
Pro tip2. Best For Beginners:Apple Barrel Promoabi Matte Finish Acrylic Craft Paint Set
The flexible acrylic paint kit’s bright, bold colors are simple to use and provide sufficient coverage. They can work on various surfaces, including terra cotta, wood, plaster, Styrofoam, and more. These 18 vibrant colors for plastic toys may be used to sponge, brush, or stamp the toy. You can also check out a tester’s experience in this review video to know more about these flexible paints for plastic toys.
Pros
- Suitable for beginners
- Easy to use
- Easy to clean
- Non-toxic
Cons
- Might require multiple coats
"Their blendable consistency has allowed me to mix different colors based on my project’s requirements. Despite being intensely pigmented, they clean off easily from hands. However, they occasionally chip, so I recommend protecting the surrounding surfaces."
3. Best Premium: Benicci Acrylic Paint Set
Benicci Premium Quality Acrylic Paint Set is a comprehensive collection of 24 vibrant and high-pigmented colors free of chemicals. The set is a trustworthy choice for both budding artists and art experts. The paints are made with high-quality pigments and have a smooth consistency, making them easy to mix and apply. Moreover, the color chart and paint-guide help manipulate paint and find the perfect shade and color combinations, making it easy to customize plastic toys with paints.
Pros
- Suitable for use on various surfaces
- Long-lasting
- Non-toxic and safe to use
- Provides excellent coverage and color saturation
Cons
- Paint may dry quickly
- May not be compatible with some brush types
- Consistency of the paints may be slightly thick
"I found this kit great for my artistic needs. The color variety and inclusion of additional nylon bristle brushes are noteworthy perks. The paint consistency is thinner than expected; however, applying two coats helped me get the right coverage. All in all, it is a good starter kit for beginners."
4. Best Compatible:Neon Nights Glow-In-The-Dark Paint
Neon Nights’ paint for toys glows brightly in the darkness but can be seen clearly in the light, making any arts and crafts creation attractive. These eight-piece bright and self-luminous neon paints recharge under the sunlight for a dazzling glow. Available in a range of colors, they are compatible with materials such as metal, canvas, plastic surfaces, or wood. If you want to know more about the results, take a look at this review on YouTube.
Pros
- Highly pigmented
- Easy to use
- Blacklight-activated
- Beginner-friendly
Cons
- May have a thin consistency
"These glow-in-the-dark colors make my art projects come to life like no other paint. The variable consistency across the bottles was a slight letdown, but I got used to them after a few uses. Moreover, its compatibility with different surfaces is a bonus."
Quick tip5. Best Non-Toxic:Arteza Craft Acrylic Paint
Arteza acrylic paints blend well to provide optimal surface coverage. These expert-approved colors offer a matte finish and are great for painting plastic toys. You can use them on various surfaces, including glass, canvas, rocks, wood, textiles, paper, and ceramics. They allow you to add more coats or other elements to your project. These 20-piece paints are available in two-ounce bottles.
Pros
- Non-toxic
- Easy to clean
- Suitable for beginners
- Easy to use
Cons
- May require multiple coats
"Be it on canvas, wood, or paper, the coverage of these paints has always been impressive. The unique color selection and the lack of chemical odor are also noteworthy. Its quick-drying nature did pose an occasional blending challenge, but the overall experience has been positive."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Over 6,575 Amazon shoppers have left good reviews about this product, citing its quality features and benefits.
6. Best For Quick-Dry:Caliart Acrylic Paint Set
With a creamy consistency, the colors’ rich pigment provides sufficient coverage for large and small areas. These paints for plastic model toys blend easily, allowing you to add more coats or other aspects to the project easily. The DIY toy painting kit includes 24 two-ounce bottles in classic hues. Each artful paint has a terrific fluid and thick viscosity that hold any brush or spatula marking, adding brilliant complexity to any project. It is simple to use and suitable for adults and kids alike.
Pros
- Quick dry time
- Versatile
- Non-toxic
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Shades may vary depending on the medium
"I got this set for its gorgeous color variations, which suit my sky paintings as well as artworks for community events. Its smooth consistency blends easily. Plus, I can easily get rid of any accidental stains by simply using a mild dishwashing soap. A worthy purchase, indeed."
Pro tip7. Best Long-Lasting:Magicfly Acrylic Paint Set
Magicfly acrylic paints are rich, creamy, and thick. They dry well, are easy to work with, and lend optimal brilliance and clarity to any art project. You can use these paints with brushes, stencils, or stamps on wood, ceramics, stone, paper, and more. The kit contains 30 two-ounce colors and three brushes. They retain their vibrancy after drying and do not crack.
Pros
- Blends easily
- Non-toxic
- Easy to clean
- Long-lasting
Cons
- May dry out too quickly
"I am amazed at how just a small amount of these paints can color my large projects. The consistency makes it easily spreadable, and the quick-drying nature is both a pro and a con, depending on the project. Overall, it has been the ideal craft companion."
8. Best For Indoors And Outdoors:Individuall Metallic Acrylic Paint Set
Suitable for indoors and outdoors, each metallic paint from Individuall is made of a high-quality pigment combination. You can use these non-toxic and durable toy paints on various mediums, including metal, canvas, plastic, wood, and more. The safety-tested set contains eight 0.7-ounce bottles of various colors.
Pros
- Easy mixing of colors
- Easy to clean
- Suitable for beginners
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Paint quantity may not be sufficient
"I found the shimmery colors pretty versatile and pigmented. I used it to add a metallic finish to my child's plastic toys, and it looked great. Its pot design makes adding water easier to prevent the paint from thickening. Overall, it's easy to use and worthwhile."
9. Best Easy-To-Use:The Army Painter Miniatures Paint Set
The Army Painter set contains high-quality paints and a highlighting paintbrush made of premium synthetic hair for intricate details on your figures and military models. It has a pointed tip for getting into the hard-to-reach areas, making it ideal for creating masterpieces. With ergonomically constructed dropper bottles, you can get the exact amount needed without wasting any paint. The set also includes a booklet to teach you a four-step painting technique called Spray-Paint-Dip-Done.
Pros
- Highly pigmented
- Balanced consistency
- Includes a painting guide
- Easy to use
Cons
- May not be suitable for beginners
"I like the unique dropper design, which allows me to release the precise amount of paint on the palette in a controlled fashion. The design also prevents the paint from drying out in the bottle. However, I had to thin the paint out a bit with water. Still, it's a pretty fun kit!"
10. Best Smooth Finish:Vallejo Basic USA Colors Paint Set
The model colors are made of permanent pigments for fine arts. Their high-quality consistency offers a smooth finish without any visible brush strokes. These colors’ water-based composition was created to adhere to tough surfaces, including metal and plastic. This set of 16 rich acrylic colors measures 0.57-ounce each.
Pros
- Lightfast
- Easy to use
- Opaque
- Suitable for miniatures and models
Cons
- Might chip off after dying
"These colors go on smoothly and have been performing well with brush and airbrush techniques. The color selection and matte fish have also worked excellently for my model works. Plus, the dropper bottle helps with controlling the amount of paint dispensed."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 3,132 buyers on Amazon have said the product lives up to the hype.
11. Best Dishwasher-Safe:FolkArt Multi-Surface Satin Finish Acrylic Craft Paint Set
FolkArt’s 12-pack acrylic paint set includes various colors suitable for crafters and painters. These vibrant, high-quality acrylic paints provide a satin-based professional finish after drying. This set works on multiple materials, including wood, glass, terra cotta, fabric, canvas, ceramics, and more.
Pros
- Dishwasher-safe once oven-cured
- Easy to use
- Easy to clean
- Non-toxic
Cons
- May fade in the sun
"I'm genuinely impressed by the colors' versatility on different surfaces, giving me satisfying results regardless of the projects. I enjoy its opaque coverage, although some shades need a few coats. With the proper sealant, they have been a solid choice for outdoor use."
12. Best Low Odor:Testors Acrylic Value Finishing Paint Set
The painting set is suitable for various smooth surfaces, including wood, metal, plastic, canvas, and plaster. These water-based and non-toxic paints can be brushed or airbrushed to create a glossy, professional finish for plastic toys. The set includes a brush and nine fast-drying toy paints.
Pros
- Versatile use
- Beginner-friendly
- Low odor
- Easy to clean
Cons
- May need multiple coats
"As this set includes all the primary colors, it has become easy to paint my model cars and other crafts. Their gloss finish may not be everyone's preference but it has been working nicely for my projects. All in all, they have been a versatile and handy option."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has earned its stripes, with over 1,691 reviews on Amazon.
13. Best Child-Safe Paints:: Koko Aroma Window Paint Art Kit
Koko Aroma art kit helps decorate refrigerators, mirrors and windows with sun catchers, and other smooth surfaces. The window stickers will keep your children occupied, allowing them to create their art pieces. These non-toxic and child-safe paints for plastic toys are safe for your child’s delicate skin. The window art kit has 13 emoji pictures, 12 suncatchers, 12 suction cups, eight paint tubes, one acetate sheet, one string, eight pairs of wiggle eyes, and a plastic paint pick.
Pros
- Helps improve motor skills
- Helps improve hand-eye coordination
- Easy to use
- Includes downloadable eBooks and worksheets
Cons
- Paints may be clumpy
"My kids are drawn to these adorable suncatchers, which let them engage in various creative and storytelling activities for hours. Thanks to the hooks, they can hang their art on the wall. I wish the bottles had narrower nozzles for more precise application. Still, a delightful purchase."
14. Best Individually Labeled Tubes:GenCrafts Acrylic Paint Set
The premium acrylic paints are made from high-quality, long-lasting pigments. Their creamy, smooth texture helps preserve the brush strokes’ nuances, resulting in a beautiful texture. Each color is carefully chosen to provide a broad spectrum of various bright hues. You can create diverse shades by blending, layering, and mixing them together. The set includes 50 bright hues and works on different materials.
Pros
- Non-toxic
- Suits beginners and experts
- Individually labeled tubes
- Dries quickly
Cons
- Paints may be thin
"This paint set has been useful for everything from crafting to painting miniature models. Its expansive color range eliminates the hassle of mixing. The pots were smaller than expected, but the consistent color names and compact storage have made it my preferred choice."
How To Choose The Right Paints For Plastic Toys?
Here are a few factors to consider when choosing high-quality paint sets for plastic toys.
- Non-toxic: Ensure the paints are non-toxic and skin-friendly to make them suitable for children.
- UV resistance: Choose paints with UV resistance for long-lasting performance. They should not fade, peel off, or wash off with use.
- Versatility: Choose paints that work on various materials such as wood, plastic, plaster, metal, and more for multipurpose use.
- Viscosity: Consider the paint’s viscosity depending on your requirement. Thick paints may provide better coverage, but thinner consistencies are more blendable.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What paint can be used on plastic toys?
Most acrylic paints can be used on plastic toys as they are easy to apply, quick-drying, and easy to wash. Depending on the brand, they could be non-toxic as well. Specific oil-based paints could also be used, but they could bestow a hard surface and may not be child-friendly.
2. What should I keep in mind when painting a plastic toy?
Ensure the paint is water-based and non-toxic and use a right brush that can help you paint on even hard-to-reach areas.
3. How should I paint over plastic toys?
Since plastic toys are smooth and non-porous, a coat of plastic-compatible primer needs to be applied first. Once painted, you could also apply a layer of non-toxic transparent sealant if desired.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Priti Bose writes well-researched yet engaging articles on toys and gifts. She has reviewed plenty of products before compiling the list of the best paints for plastic models and toys based on user reviews. As it may be a bit challenging to choose the right one from various best-selling options, every product includes pros and cons and features in the description to help you compare different products. You can also use the detailed buying guide to help you decide.
The Bottom Line
Children often get bored of their old toys or refuse to use them when their vibrant colors wear off. However, paints for plastic toys allow them to paint their toys and revive their lives, making them look brand new. While choosing the right paint, prioritize safety and choose non-toxic and skin-friendly paints such as Arteza Craft Acrylic Paint. For long-lasting use, choose UV-resistant toy paints and versatile ones like the Apple Barrel Promoabi Matte Finish Acrylic Craft Paint Set and Neon Nights Glow-In-The-Dark Paint that work on various materials, including wood, plastic, and metal. You can browse our list of the best paints for plastic toys to understand the available options and find what you need.
Infographic: Tips For Painting On Plastic Toys
Besides choosing the right colors, being mindful of other specific criteria can influence and enhance the painting process. Check out the following infographic to learn more about the nitty-gritty of coloring plastic toys with acrylic paints. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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