"Can you paint a plastic tablecover?" Topic

I'm thinking to try this, but first wanted to get input from anyone who has ever tried this.

You would think that plastic paints would work on a plastic tablecover/tablecloth. I'm not thinking to paint the entire thing, but to add highlights that work with the original color. Something abstract but breaks up the monochrome.

Large brushes or sponges would seem to be the way to best apply the highlights.

Would it make any sense to seal the paint with a clear matte spray?

When the tablecover is rolled or folded for storage, will the paint just flake off? I'm worried it will just turn into a dusty mess.

An alternate possibility is to use permanent markers. I think this might stand up to usage better than paint, but even wide-tipped markers are small when it comes to highlighting an entire tablecover.

Advice? Comments? Warnings?

Never tried it, but I think the markers approach has a better chance of surviving being rolled up than paint does.

However, paint may work if you get the right undercoat. But I'm not sure what the right undercoat would be. Possibly Gesso?

Solid surface should be no problem but would think a flexible surface it won't last long

Acrylic paints are basically plastic so should be fine.

Have you thought about a cloth dustcover.

It would hold the paint better and be easy to fold or roll.

Acrylic paints are basically plastic so should be fine.

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"Plastic" is an incredibly generic term.
One would have to know exactly what kind of "plastic" we are talking about.
The only recommendation I would make is to try on a small corner first. Or, if they're cheap…

I have one I spray paint on. Paint sticks until you flex it, then it all flakes off, including "made for plastic" varieties.

I'd get a new cloth/cover

I've done it a couple times, for Con games. Try to find a base color that works for your scenario, and use spray paint for your details.

Need to let it sit for an hour, yes it will peel if handled too rough. Good for games where you don't mind tossing after the event.

Forget the plastic and go for a cloth. I used a green baize for my 'green field', sprayed with rattle cans (mostly yellow) but even that needs a refresh every couple of years. This would be an expensive solution (this cloth is worth over £700.00 GBP – was 21'x 6.5' – 97% finest Merino wool) but I know the mill factory doctor and he blagged for me gratis.

For my 'desert field' I used canvas dyed with tea and coffee. This one set for a To the Strongest (grid based game) – hence the hill shapes. This was a very cheap solution.

I'm very happy with both and would recommend both as solutions.

I think cloth is a more enduring option, but if you go with plastic, forget the sponges and look for spray paints specifically made to adhere to plastic. Use a light dusting. You can always go back over an area, but you can't necessarily remove a surplus.

Thanks for the good ideas!

Please let us know how it turns out, Bill.

Acrylic paints are basically plastic so should be fine.

🙄
"Plastic" is an incredibly generic term.
One would have to know exactly what kind of "plastic" we are talking about.

I was using the word "plastic" as an adjective rather than a noun.

A lot of the "plastic" TC's are actually vinyl. But what you could look for are TC's with a cloth or felt backing underneath. *That's* the side to paint/dye… ;-)

Agree with MajorB-- I've used thin washes of acrylics to create a cloudy- looking mat for "Crimson Skies". Despite rolling and folding, the paints have adhered well, with little to no flaking.

But what you could look for are TC's with a cloth or felt backing underneath.

I have one of those waiting for me to experiment with too.

But the commercial mats are so nice…

Please let us know how it turns out.

In my area the thickness of plastic table covers Varys greatly from the heavy ones that you can find in a Walmart too the very light and cheap ones ($1.25) that you find at Dollar Tree.
The Dollar Tree are thin and the hand paint tends to bleed through on some. Spray paint lightly applied tends to be no problem. Also they already come in blue/sea, black,/space and green/ground and white/snowy ground.. I have even seen red used for a Martian land.