How to Make Plastic Look Like Stone

Updated Oct 26, 2024 | Posted Oct 10, 2024 | Miscellaneous, Product Advice | 0 comments

Ever wondered how to make plastic look like stone? Believe it or not, it’s relatively cheap and easy to do. It looks fantastic too! I’ll keep this guide brief, but I’m going to explain the whole process. I made a plastic planter look like stone recently, so I’ll use that as an example as I work my way through the blog, but this process works on anything made from plastic. That said, it’s not recommended for uPVC windows and doors. I’ll start by listing the materials and tools you need, followed by the steps you should take. I’ll even include links to the products, pictures, and a little video demo.

 

Shopping List

Good-quality adhesion primer – Click here for details.

Paint brush – Click here for details.

Mini roller – Click here for details.

Maston Stone Effect Spray – Click here for details.

Clear varnish – Click here for details.

 

Steps

 

Prepare the plastic for painting

Clean the plastic and abrade with some sandpaper. This aids the adhesion of paint, which means your coating won’t fail over time.

plastic planter that has been prepared for painting

Apply a primer

It’s difficult to get paint and other materials to stick to plastic. Applying a specialist primer just ensures your stone effect spray will stick. I’ll talk about the best primer further on in this blog.

Primed plastic, ready to apply stone effect spray

Apply two coats of Maston Stone Effect Spray

Maston Stone Effect Spray is probably the best paint to use for something like this. Just apply two generous coats, and your plastic will be transformed! It’ll look just like stone! The picture below shows how it should look after the first coat.

Making plastic look like stone using aerosol

Seal with clear varnish

If your plastic is outside, then you’ll need to protect it from the elements. To do this, you should apply a coat of clear varnish. This will also help make your “stone” look more authentic.

How to Make Plastic Look Like Stone

The Best Primer to Use When Coating Plastic

Lots of primers claim they can be used on plastic, but there are only a handful that work well. My favourite is Zinsser BIN Aqua. You can buy this primer in white, grey, and tinted colours, although white is usually fine. It has a fast-drying time and can be used inside or outside. It sticks well to plastic, and it even blocks stains.

You can’t ask for anything more really. It’s a dependable paint that works well on plastic, and it is the perfect bridging primer. Not just that, but it comes in handy for most other decorating jobs that might come up.

Tin of Zinsser BIN Aqua, which is a water-based primer / undercoat

Using Maston Stone Effect Spray

 

Maston Stone Effect Spray is fantastic stuff!! It’s reasonably priced, available from The Range, and is easy to use. You can choose from 4 different colours or opt for the Maston Concrete Effect Spray instead. I’ve used them all and my favourite is Granite Grey, but they all work.

You can’t really go wrong when you’re applying it (which is another reason I like Maston over the others I’ve tried). You can apply thick coats, and you don’t need to worry about it sagging or running. It levels as it dries.

Just apply two coats. If you’re spraying something that’s an awkward shape, it’s easier to get the hard-to-reach bits first. Allow plenty of time to dry in between coats and before sealing.

Maston Stone Effect Spray

Sealing Your Paintwork

 

You only really need to do this if your plastic is going to be left outside. Stone effect spray is brilliant, but it won’t withstand the Great British Weather, so you need to seal it.

You need a clear varnish that is ‘multi-surface’ and can be used outside. This rules a lot of products out.

Polyvine Heavy Duty Extreme Varnish is the one I use. It’s water-based, environmentally friendly, can be used over almost anything, and performs well. It’s a product I’ve used for years.

Polyvine Heavy Duty Wood Varnish Review

Final Thoughts

 

Now you know all you need to about how to make plastic look like stone. It isn’t just about being creative (although that’s part of it). You can save a lot of money by buying something made from plastic and then transforming it.

Moreover, you can make several different coloured plastic objects uniform so they can blend in, or compliment the surroundings of your home.

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FAQs

 

How to make cheap planters look expensive?

There are paint effects that you can use, but the simplest way is to follow this blog on how to make plastic look like stone. It’s cheap, easy, and looks great.

 

How to make a plastic planter look nice?

You can paint or spray plastic to make it look nice. There are loads of products on the market now that can cover plastic.

 

Can you make fake stones?

Maston Concrete or Stone Effect Spray will make any object look like stone.

 

Can you use stone spray paint outside?

Stone effect spray paint is fine to use outside. In fact, it’s healthier to apply it outside when you can because of the ventilation. However, if you’re going to leave it outside, then you will need to seal it with varnish.

 

A Video Demonstration

A Quick Video Demo

Mike Cupit shows us how to make plastic look like stone.

Updated Oct 26, 2024 | Posted Oct 10, 2024 | 0 comments

About the Author

About the Author

Mike Cupit has been in the decorating industry since 2002 and has mostly worked as a Trade Decorator in the domestic sector (peoples’ homes). Self-proclaimed “product geek”, Mike has a passion for paint and decorating tools. Mike now spends most of his time testing paint products and tools, comparing them to similar products on the market, and blogging about the industry in general.

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