best paint for plastic
 

am thinknig of spraying some platic bit i got but wondered what the best paint was for spraying onto plastics, would halfords paint be good? plus what type of primer should i use?

cheers

dave

I think there is a special type of primer that is flexible, so the paint doesn't crack as the plastic moves, is good on the rubber bumpers and spoilers on other cars.

Halfords or mix-to-order car paint places would be a good start.

is it rigid plastic or flexable? either way b4 you start key up the plastic & get a good plastic adhesion promoter. flexable plastic will need a flexable topcoat! :thumb:

I used model paint for interior plastics. just make sure they have a good key to adhere to. you can get it from any good model shop.

Halfrauds sell plastic primer in white or grey. Make sure you flatten the piece down first to give a good key for the primer. Gives good results on relatively small jobs. Give the paint a day or so to harden and then polish up to a good gloss. If is cold, heat the cans up on a radiator before spraying.

Hope this helps.

There's a coating available that's an aerosol rubberized coating. I hear it retains textures pretty well, and dries to a matte finish. It comes in a few bright colors (for tool handles, etc), or black. So if it's for a black piece, it might be good for you.

Of course, the pieces to be sprayed will have to be well cleaned, and lightly roughened for adhesion.

I can post up once I do mine.

It's called Plasti-Dip and should be available in the UK.

I've also heard of some success with plastic dyes.

this is very helpfull, thank guys,

im thinking bout painting a few bits under my bonnet, my scooby is red, so, im thinking of painting a few bits red, just wondering where is the best place to get the paint, i would like it in a spray can the same colour as the car,

thanks in advance :thumb:

the dip stick an all the fluid lids are yellow under my bonnet, im thing bout spraying them red, (same colour is car) has anyone done this,

im guessing just clean with white spirit, spray with plastic primer, then with red paint an laquer,

would this be right

For under-bonnet bits I'd say use some kind of de-greaser first, white spirit didnt suffice when I last sprayed under bonnet stuff. White spirit is okay for interior stuff that doesnt see much oil n grease, or after priming its okay too.

Might be an idea to try and aquire a spare set of what you want to spray to allow you to take the time to get it bob-on.
Dont forget how much you handle oil caps, bottle caps, dipsticks etc, you want the paint to have propper adhesion on the parts so that it isnt chipping in 6 months time making your work look half arsed.
Prep, prep, prep, prep then paint :)

go to your local car paint company ask them to mix and put into a can but tell them you are spraying plastic they will then put a flex additive in to it. upol make a specific primer as well.

I used a paint called plasticoat on my last car and it did a very good job, no need to prime either altho cleaning prior to painted is a given. I used IPA (no not the beer) and had rubber gloves when i handled the parts so not to get oil from my hands on the parts.