Once every year you might want to coat them with a UV inhibitor such as Armor-All. (NOTE: Armor-all is oil based, and after several rains it will be leaching into your soil…).
Check screen for rips and holes, and replace if necessary. If they are left with water in them during freezing weather they MAY crack or split. Use your judgement… if you think this is a possibility drain them and store. Cared for properly your Rain Barrel will give you many years of service.
Paint your rain barrels with Krylon, a spray paint made for coating plastic. Many colors are available, and Walmart sells it. The 55g white rain barrels are the easiest to paint, we sell them for $59. (Note: It takes a little more than one can of spray paint to coat the barrel thoroughly).
Painting is not just for ornamental reasons, it’s a practical measure you can take to extend the life of your barrels. A coat of paint can help protect your barrels from breaking down due to sun exposure.
In five steps or less, quickly update plastic surfaces to better reflect your personal style:
- Clean project surface.
- Lightly sand surface if previously painted.
- Remove dust with a tack cloth.
- Let plastic surface dry.
- Apply Krylon® Fusion for Plastic® spray paint according to the directions on the spray can label.