Rubber can be tricky to paint. The flexible nature of the material means that any paint added is likely to chip or crack over time.
So, what is the best paint for rubber? The best paints for rubber are acrylic, removable, or exterior paint. Acrylic paint will work for rubber items that are kept indoors, while exterior paint is best for items that will stay outside. Use removable paint for rubber items you’ll be redecorating as the seasons change.
Before you start on your weekend project of painting a rubber tire to create a fun tire swing for your kids, it’s important to know which type of paint will work best and what to look for when purchasing paint. Check out our buyer’s guide below for help.
Best Paint Types For Rubber
When it comes to painting rubber, you have to make sure you have the right paint for the job. Check out the three recommended paint types below to know which you should use for your rubber painting project.
Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paint works great on rubber items that will be kept indoors. Indoor decorations generally aren’t subjected to as much wear and tear as items outdoors, so acrylic paint is perfect to add a colorful coating.
It provides just enough durability to keep your colors looking smooth, but not enough that it could withstand hard rain or direct heat and sunlight.
Be sure to use at least two coats, if not three, and allow for each coat to fully dry before applying the next.
The great thing about acrylic paints is that they often come in a high variety of colors, so you’ll get a wide range of options when deciding what color to paint your rubber decoration.
It’s still highly recommended to seal the project after the final layer of paint has dried.
Removable Paint
Some items are seasonal and need to be changed throughout the year in alignment with the holidays.
If you want to paint some indoor rubber decorations, but you want it to be easily removable, then we recommend using removable paint.
You can find this easily by searching for removable rubber coating. It usually comes in a spray form, as seen in our recommended products below.
The coating will last the few months you want it, and when it’s time for a color change, you can simply peel off the coating and start again.
Exterior Paint
For rubber items that are kept outdoors, such as garden decorations or tire swings, exterior paint is recommended. Exterior paint is specially formulated to withstand the elements without breaking down, cracking, or peeling.
If the item is used frequently and roughly, like a tire swing, you may still need to apply several coats throughout the year to keep it looking fresh.
Always seal your outdoor items with an outdoor sealer. The paint alone will not be enough to protect itself, so you’ll want a layer of some kind of varnish to protect the paint further from any chipping, scratching, or cracking.
The Best Paints For Rubber
If you’re looking to add some color to your rubber decorations, we’ve got a list of the top recommended paints below.
We’ve included options for indoor use, outdoor use, and seasonal use. Consider which you’ll need and select a product from the list below.
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Caliart Acrylic Paint Set | Acrylic paint for indoors, good variety with 24 colors, comes with paintbrushes |
| 2. | Artecho Acrylic Art Paint Set | Acrylic paint for indoors, good variety with 24 colors (plus 18-color and 48-color options) |
| 3. | Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint Set | Acrylic paint for indoors, good variety with 16 colors, reputable brand |
| 4. | PLASTI DIP Mulit-Purpose Rubber Coating Spray RED | Removable paint for easy redecoration, easy spray can |
| 5. | Dupli-Color Midnight Black Custom Wrap Effects Spray Paint | Removable paint for easy redecoration, easy spray can |
| 6. | Majic PAINTS Interior/Exterior Satin Paint | Exterior paint for outdoors, 10 color options, durable in all weather |
| 7. | Krylon K02747007 Fusion All-In-One Spray Paint for Indoor/Outdoor Use | Exterior paint for outdoors, more than 50 color options, easy spray can, multiple finishes, durable in all weather |
1. Caliart Acrylic Paint Set, 24 Colors
Caliart is a great brand for acrylic paint. In their basic set, you get 24 colors, as well as a set of paintbrushes, all for around $25!
This would be a great set to use for any indoor rubber decorations that need some colors you don’t mind staying long term.
Since you get 24 colors in the pack, you have every color you could possibly need – and enough to mix a new color if desired.
If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck, then you can’t go wrong with this set.
2. Artecho Acrylic Art Paint Set, 24 Basic Colors Bottles
Artecho has another 24-color pack of acrylic paints that would be great for your indoor rubber décor.
If you don’t need 24 colors, you can always check out their 18-color set to save a little money.
On the other hand, if you want more than the colors offered, you can upgrade to the 48-color set and add more of a wow-factor to your decoration!
Although none of these sets come with paintbrushes, they’re a great price and you can easily get a cheap set of paintbrushes to go with them.
3. Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint Set, 16 Piece
This set of 16 acrylic paint colors from Apple Barrel may seem limited compared to the two listings above, but don’t let the smaller number of colors fool you.
Apple Barrel is a reputable acrylic paint brand sold in nearly every craft and department store.
These paints have a great reputation for being some of the best acrylic paints available, so you can’t go wrong getting this set.
If you’re missing a color that you really wanted to use for your project, you can simply visit your local craft store and supplement with whatever Apple Barrel color you still need.
4. PLASTI DIP Mulit-Purpose Rubber Coating Spray RED
For removable rubber paint that can peel away and be replaced with something new, we recommend PLASTI DIP.
The PLASTI DIP spray removable rubber coating works great to create a solid pigment that can easily be removed later on.
The colors are a little limited, but you can easily grab this 2-pack of red, a single can of pink, or even a 4-pack of black.
These spray coatings work best on items you plan to redecorate, though the color is durable and will last as long as you want to leave it on. When you’re ready, simply peel it off and start fresh!
5. Dupli-Color Midnight Black Custom Wrap Effects Spray Paint
Dupli-Color is another brand that creates a fantastic removable rubber coating.
This product listing is for a set of 6 black spray-cans of removable coating with a high gloss finish.
Typically used on cars, this spray works great on rubber. Use it to bring a more deep black pigment to your tire swing, or even create small black circles on a rubber circle painted red to create a ladybug!
When you’re ready, simply peel off the dried coating and replace it with a new color – maybe even the pink coating we listed above for a bright, new look!
6. Majic PAINTS Interior/Exterior Satin Paint
For your outdoor rubber decorations, we recommend trying the Diamond Hard line from Majic Paints.
Although there are only 10 color options, this paint works great and giving your surface a bright new coat of paint.
It’s durable enough to withstand the elements, so you won’t have to worry about chipping, cracking, peeling, or scratching.
It’s also self-leveling, so you’ll get a smooth finish with every project!
Don’t forget that outdoor items will still require a sealant, and this paint is no exception. While it does provide a durable coating, it still works best with a final layer of clear varnish.
7. Krylon Fusion All-In-One Spray Paint for Indoor/Outdoor Use
Our final option comes from Krylon, a reputable brand in the paint market. The Krylon Fusion All-In-One spray works fantastic on any surface – including rubber.
It comes in a spray can for easy application, so simply lay out your rubber decoration on some cardboard or newspaper outside and spray away!
We love this product because it comes with so many color options. You’ll be able to choose from over 50 different colors for your rubber decoration.
Not only do you have a lot of color variety, but you can also choose the type of finish you want. Whether you’re going for a gloss, flat, or satin look, Krylon Fusion All-In-One Spray Paint can achieve it.
Like the previous exterior paint listed, don’t forget to seal with a clear varnish after the paint dries.
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