I scored a great deal on marketplace, 19 plastic 55 gallon barrels for $70. Problem is they are blue and white, not black. Obviously black is best and I should paint them, but my new greenhouse budget was already gone when I bought the barrels. Is blue good enough? Can I cover with black garbage bags maybe? Any thoughts?
by theplantlady4200
4 Comments
maybe check your local paint/hardware store and see if they have any black (or dark) returned paint? I don’t see why trashbags wouldn’t work in the meantime though.
They will heat up, but the difference between black and blue can be up to 10°. The white ones may grow algae if not painted.
I’m going to paint mine, but I’m debating if I need a primer or not and which paint to use.
https://preview.redd.it/rqa49mnpn70c1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e09159b1297d83529a84a02f0668be9a453b8624
Leave the blue as is. Get some 55gl garbage bags a slip them over the white ones.
It will still work but black will make a noticeable difference. I’m a painter so I would recommend buying a gallon of cheap black exterior paint and a roller. You can ask around and wait for a mis-tint of a dark color to get it even cheaper if you want. Make sure you scuff up the surface with rough sand paper to help adhesion. The paint will scrape off if you knock it with something but that’s life.