What to spray: Deck chairs, tables, planters. Once upon a time, spray paint would bead up on slick plastic surfaces, but now new paints are specially formulated to adhere to plastics.

Application:

Primer is preferred but not always required for plastic. All you need is a clean surface and a quick sanding.

RS paint pick: American Tradition by Valspar Plastic Enamel (nine colors, shown in Sunshine, $5, Lowe’s). Paint a scuffed-up old beige plastic chair in a bright summer hue for the patio. An inexpensive plastic planter spray-painted in a rich color might just pass for ceramic.

Also try: Krylon Fusion (32 colors, $4 to $5, www.krylon.com for store locations).