Posted: 4/11/2003 9:35:18 AM EDT
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I want to paint a Kayak from its current red color to somthing more subdued... I use it to explore and sometimes leave it up on the shore and don't wish to advetertise its presence to thieve more thanI have to. So whats the secret to making paint stick to plastic? In this case polyethelene. |
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I have used this method and it works. First run a torch over the plastic. You are not trying to melt the platic or even heat it up more than the minimum necessary. What this does is burns off any volitile chems on the surface that would inhibit adhesion. Prime with regular primer, paint with whatever paint. If you want the finish to be as tough as an embedded coloring, put a coat of Brownells clear epoxy spray over it (the one with rounded grit for better grip is what I used). Be carefull with the epoxy paint. Thin coats, especially the initial ones or you can melt the undercoat and cause some bleeding and blending, etc. HTH, Slayer. |
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Polyethylene is very difficult to get paint to adhere to. I would suggest a good cleaning with a solvent that won't damage plastic, followed by a sanding with a medium grit sandpaper, and afinish sanding with fine grit, leaving a "smoothly rough surface" to give the paint something to adhere to. The best results I've obtained on tough to paint plastics like PE are from two component polyurethane paints, applied with a pressure Sprayer. Rattlecan enamels will be difficult (but not impossible) to get even coverage with on such a large object, and generally aren't terribly durable even when dry...There are some spray industrial coatings (By Krylon, I think) available in Black, white, gray etc, usually found in the spray paint section at Home Depot that might be more durable. I would also suggest looking at the DuraCoat from Lauer Custom Weaponry...Not sure of it's base material (Lacquer, PU, enamel etcc...) but when allowed to fully cure, seems to be quite durable, at least on the firearms I've applied it to,and it seems to like plastics just as well as metal. It's also very thin and easy to spray with a HVLP or cheap touch up spraygun, and comes in subdued colors. Obviously, I have no experience with it's durability on a Kayak. The guys at LCW have been very helpful to me and would probably be happy to tell you if it would be a viable option. Cure time without forced curing by heating is several weeks for hard use according to the literature, I believe. Effectiveness of paint adhesion is greatly a reflection of the quality of the PE used. (this case, I'd think it rather a high grade)and the key to any good paint job is to take careful time in the prep work. Hope That some of this might be helpful. Good Luck! RF |
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Wow!! I have this exact problem in reverse. I'm in the process of painting a dark blue kayak bright red. My problem is a little different from yours, I'm attemptng to avoid getting run over by idiots in bass boats. Go to West Marine's web Site, they have a line of Polyurethane marine paints designed for Plastic and fiberglass boat trim. I've already put on the white undercoat, it was 11$ a quart and covers really well, surface prep was the torch and a very light scuffing with fine grain sandpaper. I used a small hobby sprayer with no problems. It covered very well, no running, and appears quite durable. |
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Quoted: Wow!! I have this exact problem in reverse. I'm in the process of painting a dark blue kayak bright red. My problem is a little different from yours, I'm attemptng to avoid getting run over by idiots in bass boats. Go to West Marine's web Site, they have a line of Polyurethane marine paints designed for Plastic and fiberglass boat trim. I've already put on the white undercoat, it was 11$ a quart and covers really well, surface prep was the torch and a very light scuffing with fine grain sandpaper. I used a small hobby sprayer with no problems. It covered very well, no running, and appears quite durable. Cool, I will check it out. i am not too worried about looks as far as runs and such, im not out to impress folks just play on the water. The lake I spend 90% of my time on has exactly 4 powered craft on it, one belonging to the power company for dam inspections, one to the state for wildlife managment and game wardens, and 2 belonging to a guy who owns the only possible access via road for launching, and even then the trailers must be winched down to teh water the roads so steep. The only other access is by foot aprox 1 mile in the ntional forest. so being run over is not a big concern, in fact I consider it crowded if I see two people out all day. |
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Quoted: Wow!! I have this exact problem in reverse. I'm in the process of painting a dark blue kayak bright red. My problem is a little different from yours, I'm attemptng to avoid getting run over by idiots in bass boats. Go to West Marine's web Site, they have a line of Polyurethane marine paints designed for Plastic and fiberglass boat trim. I've already put on the white undercoat, it was 11$ a quart and covers really well, surface prep was the torch and a very light scuffing with fine grain sandpaper. I used a small hobby sprayer with no problems. It covered very well, no running, and appears quite durable. I kayak right near the inlet and there is a ton of traffic. I usual get harassed by jet skiiers and almost ran over once by some clown on a speedboat. They usually notice the bright yellow kayak and avoid me like the plague. Red wouldnt be my first choice as a safety color |
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Truthfully, I've seriously considered painting my kayaks too, one is green and one is blue, easy to lose in the sun and spray. I think I may just go with some large yellow or orange sticker type material. Hey! Howzabout Bowflage? If it's good enough for the military then it must be good enough for my boat! |