Painting a cooler may seem an easier task but that’s not the case. It is a job that is quite labor intensive and requires one to be alert. You must keenly follow all instructions laid down. We are going to give you a step by step approach on how to paint a cooler.

. Assemble all the materials needed. Painting a cooler requires that you have all the necessary items ready. This ensures you don’t waste much of your time trying to look out for any missing apparatus when undertaking the process. Choose a well-ventilated area. You can cover the floor with down cloth or old newspapers so that you don’t mess it with the paint. Some of the materials are needed are;

  • Paint
  • Sanding paper
  • spackle
  • Paint brush
  • Pencil and other drawing objects

2. Filling any logos with Spackle and sanding. In most cases cooler will come with logos of the manufacturer or brand. Well, you don’t want to mess up with the logo found on your cooler. Before you perform any painting job, you are required to cover any logos or indent using Spackle. Leave the Spackle to dry. The amount of time it takes for it depends on how deep the indent is. Use your fingers to feel whether the Spackle is dry.

3. Sanding the cooler. Once the Spackle is dry begin the sanding process. This step is quite long and tiresome. Therefore, it is important that you be ready to soldier on.

  • We recommend that you use at least three types of sanding paper. These are course grit, medium grit, and fine grit.
  • Begin sanding using a course sand paper. Apply much pressure while sanding all sides of the cooler until you can longer feel the original texture of the cooler.
  • Next, use medium grit to sand the cooler again. Finalize the process by using a fine grit. By this time your cooler should feel smooth with no bumps.
  • The whole idea of sanding the cooler is making it smoother so that it becomes easy to paint it. Also, the paint will stick longer.

NB: If you overlook this step then you will cry foul after few months. This is because the paint will come off after a few months.

4. Application of the primer. Once you have completed the process, wash off the gritty powder from the cooler. Leave the cooler to dry after which you apply the primer. Think primer as the base coat.

  • Spray the primer to the cooler rather than using a brush. If there are areas that you don’t want to paint then cover them using the painters tape.. Once done, leave the cooler in a well-ventilated and allow it to dry.
  • After 24 hours the cooler should feel dry.

5. Paint the background. After you choose your favorite acrylic paint. This should happen before you draw any designs on your cooler. Use a brush to cover the paint in all sides of the cooler. One background color for the background is enough. Allow the paint to dry before you proceed to the next step.

6. Design the cooler by incorporating cool designs. Well, this is a stage where your creativity is put into test. Do not disappoint. You are not limited to any particular design.

  • You can use a pencil to draw designs and pattern. Also, you can print out your own logos and designs and trace them to your cooler using a carbon paper. This is best way to do it. This is because your logos and designs look professional and neat.
  • To avoid any complications when tracing the designs on the cooler check out simple logos and fonts.
  • Trace the outline of your design onto the carbon paper. Then place the paper on the cooler where you want to locate the design and draw over the lines to transfer the design.

7. Fill the design with paint. Use small paint brush to ensure your design looks neat. If you are going to apply more than one paint on the same design then do one color at a time and let it dry. Allow the paint to dry.

8. Apply Mod Podge. It works best in preventing the paint on the cooler from chipping or peeling off. This gives your cooler an appealing look and lasts longer.

Can you paint a cooler without sanding it?

Not sanding will result in the paint literally peeling off with just the scratch of the paintbrush. So, if I wasn’t clear enough just now, SANDING ISNT OPTIONAL. If you‘re going to paint any part of the cooler, it needs to be sanded. When done correctly, the cooler should have a semi-white coat all over.

How do you prepare a cooler for painting?

The Process
  1. Step 1: Sand And Spackle. First thing’s first.
  2. Step 2: Primer. Now that your cooler is smoother than McCoy, you can get started on the priming stage.
  3. Step 3: Pick Your Designs.
  4. Step 4: Transfer Your Stencils Onto The Cooler.
  5. Step 5: PAINT.
  6. Step 6: Let It Dry.
  7. Step 7: Seal It Up.
  8. Step 8: Dry And Load It Up.

What do you seal painted coolers with?

  1. We recommend using Varnify, Mod Podge, Famowood or Krylon Clear Sealer.
  2. Make sure the sealer you choose is waterproof if you plan on using the cooler where it might get wet.
  3. Always wait at least 24 hours after painting to seal your cooler to ensure the paint is completely dry.

How do you use Modge Podge to seal a cooler?

Add a coat of Mod Podge on top of the area to seal it. Layer up images and design elements as desired. Let dry. Completely coat the entire cooler with Mod Podge and let dry 24 hours before using.

Can you Mod Podge a cooler?

Mod Podge works as a glue, sealer, and finish for your cooler. You can look up cool designs for coolers on Pinterest or Google while you wait for that to dry. Once you‘re done decorating all five sides of the cooler, paint a final layer of Mod Podge on your cooler and you‘re done!

How do you seal stickers on a cooler?

Sealing the Stickers

To seal the stickers, use a paintbrush to apply a thin layer of decoupage glue over the stickers and the plastic surfaces immediately around their edges. The glue will be white and opaque while it is wet, but it will become clear when it is dry.

How do you seal a sticker?

Can I use Mod Podge to seal stickers?

We highly, strongly, very much recommend using Mod Podge to seal and protect the decals from abrasion damage, and this guide shows more details about using it. The decals need a hard protective layer against wear. Mod Podge is a great and inexpensive hard shell and you just paint it on.

What do you use to seal stickers?

There are three ways that you can seal craft projects, including those with vinyl. Those are a spray sealer like polyurethane polyacrylic spray, dishwasher safe Mod Podge, or an epoxy. With a tray like this with vinyl on it, I would definitely recommend doing an epoxy resin.

Can I put clear coat over stickers?

Yes you can clear coat over stickers/ Decals only catch is it will have the edge to it when you clear coat over it if your wanting the edge to not show give it 2 good coats let dry sand with 600 grit and reshoot with at least 2 good coats and wetsand and buff!!!

How do I waterproof a sticker?

How do you make labels waterproof?

How do you make printable stickers waterproof?

$19.95. The final and easiest method is to simply place a clear laminating sheet over top of the sticker once it is printed and placed on the desired surface. They are applied just like a sticker, simply cut out the laminating sheet slightly larger than the sticker you are protecting, then peel off and place on!

How do you make a sticker shiny?

How do I make my own labels?

How can I make my own labels for free?

With Canva’s online label maker, creating a sleek label is free and easy. Customize hundreds of designer-made templates within a few clicks, choosing from millions of fonts, images, illustrations, and colors. Or, upload your own images and logos to create a label that reflects your brand’s style.

Can I put my own tag on wholesale clothing?

Is it legal to relabel the apparel with your own labels when you have purchased it wholesale through a different company? Yes, it is legal within given parameters. However, there are strict guidelines governing the practice.