How To Paint Rubber (Easy DIY Guide + Simple Tips)

While you can paint rubber successfully, it’s all too easy to end up with cracked or peeling paint a few days later.

Rubber, both natural latex rubber and synthetic versions, is elastic. This quality makes it versatile as an everyday material, but fickle when it comes to taking paint.  

This guide will teach you which types of rubber take paint best and how to paint rubber crafts correctly—from boots to painted tires, and many more projects in between.  

Painted Rubber Tires

The short answer is that yes, you can paint rubber. However, the longer answer is that some types of rubber will take that paint much better than others.  

If your natural rubber material isn’t suitable for painting, you’ll notice streaking, cracking, or peeling soon after. Here are some common painting exterior rubber surfaces you can paint. 

Rubber Boots, Shoes, and Soles 

This is a popular DIY project, but you might be wondering if the paint will last on your rain rubber boots clean or the shoe soles. It will if done properly.  

First, remember that rubber is flexible—and flexible rubber surfaces need flexible paint for rubber. Very malleable rubber won’t take paint as well as stiff rubber items, so a good rule of thumb is to only paint rubber tires or boots that can stand on their own when you aren’t wearing them.  

Second, you’ll still want a rubber paint that’s more flexible the rubber when dried. A rubberized spray paint for rubber is perfect for this kind of project, whether you decide to completely coat your shoes or do some stencil work for decoration.  

As for the rubber soles on sneakers, boots, and other shoes, consider acrylics or a specialized spray paint for rubber items like PlastiDip, then finish with a paint sealant. Keep in mind that paint for rubber won’t last forever: soles see a lot of traction, which will rub off the sealant and paint with time.  

Rubber Flooring 

Acrylic exterior paints, like the kind you’d paint your house with, will work for minimal traffic. Rubber flooring in a small guest house kitchenette, for example, would do well with this kind of krylon's master paint.  

For heavier daily use, however, opt for acrylic paints specifically formulated to paint adhere to rubber item. You may need a exterior primer and polyurethane sealant, as well.  

Rubber epoxy coatings are a great choice for extremely heavy wear or spills, although you’re essentially putting down a new layer of rubber rather than painting the old.  

Painted Rubber Mat

image source: hoosierhomemade.com

Tires 

Tires are exposed to grease, grime, and other elements that can wear paint down quickly if you use the wrong paint kind or don’t clean them thoroughly. What’s more, most tires consist of rubber mixed with other compounds. This means you’ll need extremely durable paint.  

Tire paints, industrial paints, and general exterior paints will all hold up on rubber tires. Wear depends mostly on the intended use: tire planters, for example, will only need to hold up against the elements.

If you’re painting tires on your car, you’ll notice weather, road salts, and daily use break down the paint faster.  

You can also use tire paint pens to freshen up your wheels: simply trace over the faded lettering on your tires (after giving them a good scrub, of course).  

Silicone 

A type of synthetic rubber, silicone can be very tricky to paint. This is because silicone contains plastic as well and is quite flexible.  

An oil-based paint is best, preceded by a primer and finished with a sealant. You’ll need to clean the silicone well first, even if it’s brand-new.

Releasing agent (the compound to get the silicone out of its mold during manufacturing) might still be on the surface, which will affect your paint’s adhesion. Wipe down the surfaces with acetone or orange solvent, then let it completely dry before you paint.  

If your silicone is very flexible, such as a mask or rubber gloves, painting gets even trickier. Thin down your paint with orange solvent or paint thinner, then spray painting rubber item using a paint sprayer. This ensures a thin but vibrant coat that will move with your silicone when completely dry, prevent paint cracking.  


What Kinds Of Paint Can You Use On Rubber Surfaces? 

  • Removable Rubber Coating
    This removable paint coat comes in a spray formula means removable rubber coating and can be peeled off if and when you decide to change up the look of your removable paint rubber surface. This type of paint is strong yet temporary, and therefore a good option to apply removable paint if you’re concerned you’ll change your mind down the road. 
  • Acrylic Paint
    Acrylic paint will stick to rubber, but only to a point. This type of paint is ideal for projects that will see minimal to no traffic or daily use. To prolong the longevity of acrylic paint, apply multiple thin coats to apply acrylic paint and finish with a sealant. 
  • Exterior Paint
    Outdoor rubber projects, like tire planters, will call for a more durable formula. Exterior paints are more durable than interior paints and this type of paint is created to withstand exposure to the elements, so high quality exterior paint is ideal for heavier traffic/use. Exterior paint is commonly applied with brushes or rollers, but you can also spray it on. 
  • Commercial Grade Marine Paint
    Finally, for the strongest rubber paint out there, this type of paint opt for a marine paint. Exterior or marine paint resists peeling and is intended for commercial use. Marine paint or marine grade paints are formulas you’d use in swimming pools and other surfaces exposed to constant or near-constant water, sun, wind, and more. The downside of commercial grade marine paint is that removing it will be very difficult, should you change your mind later. 

How To Paint Rubber Products: A Step-By-Step Guide

Supplies Needed: 

  • Brushes or paint sprayer (unless you’re using spray paint already in its own can) 
  • Appropriate paint for your project, as well as primer in some cases 
  • Rags 
  • Drop cloths or newspaper or coarse grit sandpaper 
  • Alcohol or spirits (or damp cloth) 
  • Sealant, such as polyurethane 

How To Paint Rubber: 

  • 1
    Set up your work area 
    Lay out newspapers or drop cloths, set your rags aside for quick clean-ups, and get all your supplies ready within reach. 
  • 2
    Prep your rubber surface 
    Clean it thoroughly to remove grease, dirt, and other elements that can keep your paint on rubber from adhering properly. For very dirty rubber (like used tires), you’ll need isopropanol or degreaser. 

    New or lightly soiled pieces, like rubber shoes, can get by with a good wipe-down using a damp cloth or maybe some mild dish soap and rinsing. Dry the surface thoroughly.
  • 3
    Sand it and re-clean 
    Depending on your project type. This will improve the paint’s bonding to the surface. 
  • 4
    Use a primer 
    A coat of exterior primer will make your base coat paint stick to the surface better. Allow the primer to dry completely before moving on to the next step. 
  • 5
    Apply your paint on rubber
    You can use coarse bristle brush, roll, or spray painting rubber. Allow it to dry completely before adding a second coat. 
  • 6
    Finish with a sealant 
    Coating sprays or paintable polyurethane paint sealer is a good choice, as long as this paint sealer is compatible with your paint type. 
  • 7
    Let it dry completely and cure 
    Most surfaces typically dry completely within 12 to 24 hours. At this point, they can be lightly handled. For maximum durability, allow the sealant to cure and harden before using your rubber.  This can take a few days or even an entire month; consult the sealant’s instructions for timelines. 
Painted Tire Pot

Bonus Tip: How To Remove Paint From Rubber 

Removing exterior paint from removable paint rubber is sometimes as difficult as painting it to begin with. Fortunately, products exist to make the job easier.  

Light paint jobs, like craft acrylics, can often be scrubbed and scraped away with little more than rubbing alcohol, followed by mild soap and water. Tougher paint job will require some sanding or acetone.  

Few paint strippers are safe for use on rubber due to their formulations. Because paint strippers are designed to break down the polymers in paint, they’ll also break down the polymers in many types of rubber.   

Citristrip is a gel-based paint stripper that can work on very stubborn paint jobs. Apply to remove most of the paint from your rubber surface, then clean, sand, and re-clean the remainder. This will ensure as little of the stripper comes into contact with the painting rubber as possible.  


Rubber Painting FAQs

What kind of paint can you use on a rubber phone case? 

The best type of paint for rubber phone case is an acrylic paint. Spray paint also works well as it is the easiest way to use.


How do you get rubber marks off car paint? 

You can get most of the rubber marks off car paint with soap and water. If the rubber marks remain, consider a racing rubber remover spray to polish it off. Spray cans formulated to clean scuffs and dirt without harming the automotive paint.  


How long does paint stay on rubber? 

If you prep, use exterior paint, and seal the painting rubber properly, you can expect the quality to last up to a decade. Craft acrylics can last years if sealed properly, while exterior paints (considerably stronger than acrylics) will fade and wear within weeks if not sealed. 


Conclusion

Painting rubber can yield impressive, lasting results when done properly.  How you paint rubber depends on what kind it is, its purpose, and whether it will remain outdoors or indoors.

Most painting rubber projects, however, will call for the same three basic steps: great preparation with a thorough cleaning, applying the correct kind of paint for your surface, and sealing it for a beautiful, durable finish.