How to Paint Plastic to Look Like Wood (The Ugly Fountain Makeover You Have to See)

Learn how to paint plastic to look like wood with this step-by-step faux wood finish tutorial for furniture, home decor, & outdoor pieces.

---

I bought a fountain for my back deck, but when it came in, I was less than impressed with the cheap, dark plastic finish.

Because I’m not a fan of the plastic look, I decided to give it a makeover by painting the whole fountain in a light faux-wood finish for a more modern and uplifting style.

In this tutorial, I’ll show you the right techniques and an easy step-by-step process to make any plastic look like real wood! No matter your skill level, this tutorial will show you how to give any plastic furniture, home decor, or outdoor piece a stunning new look you’ll love.

(As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my full disclosure HERE).

See how dark it looks against our dark brown deck. I wanted something lighter and more charming. And since I still wanted to embrace the look of real wood grain, giving it a faux wood grain effect was the perfect option!

I decided to make the fountain taller so I bought a separate plastic pot that I painted the same shade as the rest of the fountain. I love how I have plenty of room to plant flowers in the lower tier now.

Supplies Needed: Painting Plastic to Look LIKE Wood

The most essential materials above are the Rustoleum Glaze because of its exceptional performance and the Rustoleum primer.  I wouldn’t go with a different brand on these, but for the rest of the supplies, you can find similar products at your local big box store or hardware store.

How to Paint Plastic to Look Like Wood in Various Shades

Over the years, I have created several faux finishes in different shades and wood-like aesthetics. For example, this faux finish for my fountain is the faux Pottery Barn Seadrift finish.

I used it for this project as it is my favorite of my lighter browns. For a range of brown tones, check out this post for a comprehensive list: How to Paint Furniture to Look Like Wood (12 Stain Options to Pick From)

You can use any process from the above link to get the look you want but make sure to come back to this post to use the same deglosser, primer and clear coat.

How To Paint Plastic To Look Like Wood

Step 1: Clean and Degloss Your Plastic Surfaces Before Priming

If you are new to my DIY projects, know that I like to include all the proper steps to prep your project piece the right way. If not, your paint may not adhere and you will have to repeat several steps.

The first step is to use a 2-in-1 product called Krud Kutter Gloss Off. Not only does it clean the surface of the wood, but it also removes any sheen that could prevent the primer from adhering to the plastic surface.

The instructions say to use a tack cloth but I much prefer a non-scratch scrubbing sponge.

I like to pour a little of the Gloss Off into a plastic container and dip my sponge in it periodically. 

Work in circular motions and use some pressure when applying the Gloss-Off.

Step 2: Spray On A Primer

For priming plastic pieces, I like to use primer in a spray can form as it gives you a nice even coat without brush strokes.

Which paint will stick to plastic?

Any paint will stick to plastic IF you have a good primer between the plastic surface and paint. I like to say that primer sticks to things and paint sticks to primer.

For the inside of the fountain tiers I used a black primer because that’s what I had on-hand. But my favorite primer is Rustoleum’s Universal Bonding Primer, which I used on the outside surface of the planter.

Spray primers usually come in white, gray or black. Pick the shade closest to the final shade of your project piece.

When spraying on a primer, spray on a thin layer. Don’t feel like you have to get complete coverage. In other words, it is fine if the finish looks a little uneven.

Let the primer dry 30 minutes before spraying on the the base coat.

Step 3: Spray on a BASECOAT to Get a Wood-Like Appearance

Spray on a couple of coats of base coat. For this finish, I am using Rustoleum’s Satin Protective Enamel in Almond.

I let the first coat dry for about 20 minutes before spraying on the second coat. (Just like the primer, it’s fine if it is a little uneven since the glaze will cover the base coat.)

Let the base coat dry overnight before starting the glaze layer.

Step 4: Use Glaze to Create A Wood Grain Effect on Plastic

To apply the glaze finish, brush on a little bit of the glaze to the the top of the base coat. Get the entire surface covered in the brown glaze. It doesn’t need to pretty, just get it on the plastic surface so it’s all covered.

Next, use a dry paint brush or a deck brush to smooth out the glaze lengthwise to give us a wood grain look.

This glaze step is better explained in this post, where you can also find a step-by-step tutorial and full video of the entire process: Easy Seadrift Finish on Furniture

If you mess up an area, no worries, just keep going over that area lengthwise with your brush until you get the look you want.

Every so often, dab excess glaze onto a paper towel. If you want a lighter look, keep removing glaze with a paper towel. If you want a darker look, add more glaze to your brush.

Take your time on this step, as you have sufficient time to get the look you want, as this glaze takes a lot of time to dry.

Once you like the look of your faux wood grain, don’t touch the surface again until you are sure it is completely dry. I’d give the glaze at least 48 hours to dry. I know that’s a long time to wait but I promise your final results will be worth it!

Step 5: Spray On a Clear Coat To PRotect Your Faux Wood Grain

For exterior projects, like this fountain or plastic outdoor furniture, it’s a good idea to apply a clear coat to protect the surface.

For my fountain, I sprayed on 3 coats of Rustoleum Painter’s Touch in Matte Clear. I allowed about 20 minutes in between each coat, and when I was finished, I let the top coat dry for about 24 hours.

I’m so excited about how my fountain turned out! It’s such a relaxing addition to our deck.

The extra pot at the bottom allows me to add annuals to brighten up the deck even more.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Karin Peters | DIY & Decor (@renovatedfaith)

The pump is also plastic and I spray-painted it in Rustoleum Universal Metallics Antique Pewter to give it a galvanized look.

This project turned out better than I expected and by using the best primer and clear coat, it will be as durable as it is beautiful.

RENOVATE YOUR FAITH: When God Gives You Unexpected Blessings

Most of my projects include a corresponding devotional. For more spiritual encouragement, click here for the rest of my project posts that also include Renovate Your Faith devotionals.

More Posts Related to Painting Plastic to look Like WOod

How To Whitewash A Brick Fireplace in One Afternoon

Best Faux Brick Backsplash From Plastic Panels

How to Turn Acrylic Paint into Fabric Paint

How To Paint a Door to Look Like Wood Stain {12 Shade Options}

How to Paint Furniture to Look Like Wood (12 Shade Options!)

The Secret To A Restoration Hardware Finish (On ANY Furniture Surface!)

How to Apply Paint that Looks Like Stain (9 Shade Options!)

How to Paint Laminate Furniture to Look Like Wood (Easy Beginner Guide)

DIY Faux Pottery Barn Seadrift Finish With Paint (Easiest Technique!)

How To Paint a Door to Look Like Wood Stain {12 Shade Options}

Easiest Raw Wood Finish with Paint (No Stripping Needed!)

Painting Metal to Look Like Wood Is Easier Than You Think (My Foolproof Method!)

How to Use Gel Stain on Furniture Makeovers

Final Thoughts on how to Make Plastic look Like Wood

Whether you’re a seasoned home improvement enthusiast or you are just someone looking to refresh a tired piece of plastic home decor, this step-by-step guide makes the process easy for anyone! With just a few supplies and a little patience, you can add a warm, rustic touch to any plastic surface and achieve a remarkably realistic wood grain effect. So go ahead — grab your brushes and give that plastic piece a second life!

I love to hear your thoughts and questions!  Scroll down to leave a comment and I WILL reply! ❤️

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

Be sure to follow the fun here!

Email Subscription | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Twitter