How well can you paint plastic Rubbermaid style tubs?

[Hella THC]

Hey all,

So I'm setting up my Rubbermaid grow and right now, I'm in the process of painting the insides of the tubs white. I'm using flat, indoor white paint, just as is described in LifeLess' grow. Heres the link for reference:

http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=51381

On page four, he says the type of paint he's using.

I'm not a materials expert, but I have heard bad things about painting on plastic, but not knowing what else to do, I did it anyway.

The first coat was really hard to apply. Brush marks everywhere (granted, they are REALLY super cheap brushes) and the paint wasn't really "sticking" but I figured after the first coat dried, I would then be "painting the paint" instead of the plastic, and the second coat did go on much better.

My question is, am I going to run into any problems with this? Should I have used some sort of primer or something? I'm new to this and just really not sure. I'm looking at putting on 4-6 coats, or enough to prevent the tubs from "glowing" when the lights are on.

 

[Asil]

Why are you painting the insides? I have had luck painting the outsides of plastic containers with Rustoleum plastic paint. I also primed them first. The only thing that I noticed is they still srtach easily.

With painting the insides I would be worried about toxins and paint getting in my nute solution.

 

[Hella THC]

EDIT** I just realized that you probably thought I was using the rubbermaids as the actual PLANT containers, like some sort of DWC system. Please reference the link to see what I'm working for.


Thanks for stopping by, Asil.

Did you take a moment to look into the link I posted? If not, take the time to do so, just so you can get an idea of what I'm doing.

The insides of the tubs need to be painted to give a white, light reflective surface. The tubs are green. I don't want to hang a bunch of mylar as it looks really shitty inside the boxes... I've seen others do it, and I'm not a fan of the look.

How would toxins get into my nute solution? I'm growing in soil, I don't think i said that. Nutes will be added as I water.

So if I need to prime them, what do I get for primer? Is there plastic specific primer? Bottom line, I'm a painting noob, but at least you now know what my goals are.

 

[Hella THC]

Anyone have any info? I know it hasn't been that long but I want to go out and work on the boxes but don't want to continue down the same path in case its not the correct path to take.

 

[deepforest]

you can get spray paint made to adhere to plastic. works great.

 

[Seismic]

Get some aluminum ventilation tape. It's reflective, and will adhere to the rubbermaid easily.

 

[pontiac]

Get some aluminum ventilation tape. It's reflective, and will adhere to the rubbermaid easily.

I second the aluminum tape. Once they stick, they're pretty much will never peel on their own. Virtually 100% light proof as well.

 

[Sam the Caveman]

I read on an RC forum that they "flash" the plastic before they paint it. Flashing is putting a torch or flame on the plastic just long enough to evaporate the oil residue on the surface. You can actually see a line of evaporation on the plastic. I did it when I was placing velcro straps on my aeroponic cloner and the stickies are still holding strong. They have been on there about two months.

I made a rubbermaid mother cab a while back and spray painted it white. I used about 4 or 5 cans of Krylon spray paint, but did not know about "flashing". Slowly but surely the paint is chipping off. And even using 4 or 5 cans didn't put a thick enough coat to reflect all of the light as my rubbermaid container still glowed.

I did use aluminum foil on another rubbermaid grow container and it does reflect all of the light. I'm considering taking it off and replacing it with "emergency blanket" mylar (cheap) for better reflectivity. I read that aluminum foil only reflects about 75% and mylar about 95%.

 

[mrred]

if i was to go buy something it would be mylar and gorilla glue or some type of glue, i just got done washing indoor white paint off with my hands on this mini vertical bucket

 

[lysol]

The paint chips and starts falling off in large pieces after about a year because the plastic flexes whenever you move it around.

 

[Iron_Lion]

I second the aluminum tape. Once they stick, they're pretty much will never peel on their own. Virtually 100% light proof as well.

I used aluminum tape on my rubbermaid mother chamber, worked great, good coverage and easy to use.

 

[stickyickyicky]

grab some "wax & grease remover" from your local auto parts - wipe the area you want painted down with a few clean and i do mean "CLEAN" cloths. get the flat white spray paint by krylon for (PLASTIC) it has flex in it for spraying plastic. you could paint a few layers of black (also the plastic kind) first and you shouldn't get the GLOWING effect like other are talking about.
Sticky

 

[Lt. Herb]

You want Krylon Fusion, it's made with painting plastic in mind. Go with 3-4 coats of white inside, and maybe a coat or three of black on the outside. I used the ultra-flat camo krylon fusion paints (2 rough coats on the outside) on some sterilite tubs 2 years ago and have used them as outdoor containers since. Still no chips or flakes, save one spot I dinged with a shovel.

 

[Hella THC]

Great ideas, guys! Thanks a million. I'm liking the aluminum tape idea. I wish paint would be a more stable option, but it sounds like people run into some problems.

I think what I might do, considering they already have 4 coats of flat white paint on them, is just finish the painting and do my grow in it, then get something better going the next time around. I mean, it should last for at least ONE grow, right?

Thanks for the help guys!

stay safe,

Hella

 

[LolaGal]

call me crazy, but why not just buy a white rubbermaid tote in t he first place?

 

[Hella THC]

call me crazy, but why not just buy a white rubbermaid tote in t he first place?

OMG!! You're fucking crazy!! just kidding, thanks for stopping by! Allow me to explain.

The paint serves two purposes. First, it allows for a highly reflective surface. Most say it's more reflective than mylar and things like that because you don't have to worry about it laying flat in your box allowing for EVEN light distribution.

Second, and this is why unpainted wont work regardless of color, is because it keeps your precious light inside the box as opposed to "bleeding: out, or "glowing" like a jack-o-lantern.

Rubbermaids aren't thick enough to contain that light, and you will lose effectiveness unless you keep it all in. Plus, it keeps it more "stealth" if you don't have two massive glowing plastic storage bins in your closet

PLUS, have you ever even seen a white Rubbermaid?? I seriously have not

 

[LolaGal]

Here's a copy of the google search for ya:

Rubbermaid White
www.Amazon.com/Home Low Prices on Rubbermaid white Qualified orders over $25 ship free
Search Results

 

[Hella THC]

Here's a copy of the google search for ya:

Rubbermaid White
www.Amazon.com/Home Low Prices on Rubbermaid white Qualified orders over $25 ship free
Search Results

Fair 'nuff! My point still stands though, regardless of color, the insides MUST MUST MUST be covered.

Thanks for the detective work, though

 

[LolaGal]

OK, I looked at the link, and I still think a white tote would be reflective enough for your needs!

Then you could just tape the outside.

But what do I know? I ain't never put no plants in a tote and grew them!

good luck.

 

[Hella THC]

I tried looking on Amazon (the link you listed was busted) and it appears they don't have 30-35 gallon white storage type totes. Sure, that's the advertisement that comes up when you google "White Rubbermaid" (and we all know the sponsored links are a half ass attempt at direct advertising) but did you actually take the time to look for an actual useable product that would fit my needs on that site? I just couldn't find it!

I just really have a hard time believing a white plastic, unpainted rubbermaid would be just as effective as a colored one painted flat white. Sure, you could argue it's not a noticeable difference, but it's just the way I want to do it. (And honestly, I think there probably is a difference, otherwise people would be all over this white rubbermaid market)

Plus, why spend the afternoon scouring the intertubes looking for a white rubbermaid tote (30-35 gallon, please) that will cost me more money when I can go to the Home DePot right down the road and get two totes for $15, and not have to worry about getting them shipped.

I just simply wanted to know how difficult they were to paint. I could list many other reasons why a white rubbermaid isn't going to work for me, but you have to do what works for you.

But what do I know? I ain't never put no plants in a tote and grew them!

I mean, I don't know if this was sarcasm or what but you have found a way that works for you, and that's awesome. But for my needs, I'm pretty sure I want the insides covered or painted. Thanks for stopping by and lending your knowledge though. It's always good to bounce ideas around.