Best way to paint plastic?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Best way to paint plastic?

Posted: 8/9/2002 11:12:32 AM EDT

I have two new Motorola Talkabout's (T5200). They are really great radios except foir being red and black. Is there any way to paint and keep the paint on the plastic red parts? Whats the best paint to use,spray? Should I sand first?

Thanks alot for your help!

Posted: 8/9/2002 11:58:47 AM EDT

[#1]

Look for a primer spray you can spray on the plastic, and then spray your paint over the primer after it dries.

Posted: 8/9/2002 12:14:59 PM EDT

[#2]

take apart the radio or mask the area to be painted then scuff up or break the finish to give it a little tooth.
try 600-2000 grit wet or dry sand paper. two coats of primer and several coats of krylon or a quality spray paint.

Posted: 8/9/2002 12:28:01 PM EDT

[#3]

Use a fine grit sand paper and go over the face, then wash with soap and water, and apply Testors aerosol paint, like you used on model cars when you were a kid, thats what the stuff is made for.

Jake

Posted: 8/9/2002 2:16:37 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
Use a fine grit sand paper and go over the face, then wash with soap and water, and apply Testors aerosol paint, like you used on model cars when you were a kid, thats what the stuff is made for.

Jake

View Quote

never thought of Testors spray paint. i bet that is the best!

Posted: 8/9/2002 3:11:33 PM EDT

[#5]

You might want to consider an airbrush to get the paint particles atomized properly. The Testors spray can still puts out a pretty coarse spray pattern.

Posted: 8/9/2002 3:50:22 PM EDT

[#6]

Thanks for the great tips everyone! I just rather have OD green instead of the red. I'll probably go with sanding,primer then the Testor's paint.

Thanks again!

Posted: 8/9/2002 4:11:10 PM EDT

[#7]

There's a product available at Napa called "Bulldog Adhesion Promoter"

It claims to "Make Paint Stick To Plastic" including bumpers, fenders, ground effects, moldings, door jambs, and interior surfaces. Also says will stick to chrome, glass, galvanized metal, etc. I haven't tried it on all those, but it does work on the type of plastics like bleach bottles and motor oil jugs.

Product Number is: ETPO-123
UPC is: 30192 12399

[url=http://www.kleanstripauto.com/arproducts/plasticprep.html]Picture Here[/url]

Posted: 8/9/2002 4:56:04 PM EDT

[#8]

I don't know about primering first.... the Testors stuff is meant to be sprayed directly onto clean plastic, I'm not sure of how the primer would stick to the plastic.

Jake

Posted: 8/9/2002 7:10:41 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
I don't know about primering first.... the Testors stuff is meant to be sprayed directly onto clean plastic, I'm not sure of how the primer would stick to the plastic.

Jake

View Quote

Good point, thanks

Posted: 8/9/2002 9:17:29 PM EDT

[#10]

LIGHTLY sand (600 grit or better) before painting with whatever. Using 600 grit (or even 1500 if you can find it!) will give you just enough rip on the surface for good firm adhesion of the paint without leaving nasty "tool marks."

I like to use wet/dry paper when working with stuff like this, it can be rinsed clean when it starts to clog.

I highly suggest disassembling the radio if possible, this will allow you to do a better job. I have several Talkabouts, and they look like a PITA to mask off. I haven't tried to pull one apart just yet...

FFZ

Posted: 8/10/2002 10:22:17 AM EDT

[#11]

If possible, disassemble, and then consider the following -

0000 Steel wool - you don't want to score grooves in the surface, but you want to give the paint a little bit 'o grip.

MEK/lacquer thinner/denatured alcohol. VERY SPARINGLY used also "de-glosses" plastics, but can also eat them up in record time. Experience is the best, as is testing on unobtrusive areas.

Testors paint is a good bet - remember to use flat (non gloss) colors, and possibly a matte overcoat for scratch protection. Also tape your mating surfaces where the newly painted pieces meet each other or the previously removed 'bits'.

Good luck!

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Best way to paint plastic?

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