Spraypainting plastic

thescreensavers

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2005
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I used 60 grit to level the plastic so its flat then 150 and sprayed over the 150, I been reading and people say you should be over 1000 before you paint.

I do have 1500 but 150>1500 prob wont work to well, should I get? 800 and then 1200 then spray?

Its already painted so I would need to sand it all off, if what I did was way wrong.
 

halik

Lifer
Oct 10, 2000
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150-250 is fine for primer, especially the fill ones. You're supposed to do 400-600 after primer to get a decent texture.

What's it look like?
 

thescreensavers

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2005
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lol, I just used RustOleum Universal Spray Paint over the 150, and sprayed like 4 coats.

Its still drying but I feel I did something way wrong :p

I think I have to go and buy some more sand paper and sand off all the paint I did already. And re due it. So would 800 remove 150 grit marks?
 

Sluggo

Lifer
Jun 12, 2000
15,488
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There are about 100 variables you aren't sharing with us.

There are a lot of paint formulas that will fill 150 grit sanding marks.
 

Black2na

Senior member
Nov 25, 2010
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go up to about 4-600 grit on paper most paints can fill those scratches without seeing them. and if your just going over platsic you dont need a primer but if you use anykind of filler your gonna need to prime or the filler will suck in the paint leaving a ring.

Ninja Edit:i own my own body shop its what i do all day!
 

Sluggo

Lifer
Jun 12, 2000
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Hard plastic like what? PVC lawn chair, interior trim, wheel cap?

Gloss paint, semi gloss, satin, flat?

White, black, neon green?

Highly visible something that's subject to scrutiny under sunlight, or a seat trim that's mostly hidden.
 

thescreensavers

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2005
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Hard Plastic like a house phone

Satin

Black

Its something that is visible that you would use like a hose phone touch wise
 

thescreensavers

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2005
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Nah man thats glossy!

IMG_20110108_232336.jpg


as you can see, you can still see the scratches lol

Resand and repaint?
 

x-alki

Golden Member
Jun 2, 2007
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You shound have never used 60 grit on plastic. Get some 220 wet or dry and wet sand, get some 400 and wet sand. If need get some 600 and wet sand. Wet sanding is the key...
unless you like the scratched look
 

thescreensavers

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2005
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You shound have never used 60 grit on plastic. Get some 220 wet or dry and wet sand, get some 400 and wet sand. If need get some 600 and wet sand. Wet sanding is the key...
unless you like the scratched look

Thanks for tbe tips, can I paint over the 600 or should I go to 1000? Wet sanding is key for smooth plastic?
 

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
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Don't go too high... I would stay at a moderate grit (400 or so) and then whatever marks are left behind in the primer, sand those out at progressively higher grits (without going back to bare plastic), and then put your color coat on once the primer layer is perfect.

What kind of paint are you using?
 

thescreensavers

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2005
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Wow im sure that's gonna make panties drop...

lol for sure, in all seriousness, I never sprayed plastic and I am thinking about spraying my laptop since its all scratched up. They have similar textures. So I am learning on this thing.

Don't go too high... I would stay at a moderate grit (400 or so) and then whatever marks are left behind in the primer, sand those out at progressively higher grits (without going back to bare plastic), and then put your color coat on once the primer layer is perfect.

What kind of paint are you using?

This

I am not using primer, just the paint above
 

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
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lol for sure, in all seriousness, I never sprayed plastic and I am thinking about spraying my laptop since its all scratched up. They have similar textures. So I am learning on this thing.



This

I am not using primer, just the paint above
Well, if the paint adheres well then just do all the finishing work on the color coat (which would be this paint).,
 

x-alki

Golden Member
Jun 2, 2007
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wet sanding won't leave scratches and does a better job overall. No dust either. :)
 

IcePickFreak

Platinum Member
Jul 12, 2007
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I'd just run some 400 over what you already have down, as long as it's sticking good, and then then throw a few more coats on it.

For something like this I would of just washed it good and then sprayed it with some Krylon Fusion for Plastic.
 

thescreensavers

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2005
9,916
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Well, if the paint adheres well then just do all the finishing work on the color coat (which would be this paint).,

You mean light sanding on top of the spary? I do have 1500, so wetsand after 24 hours and respray?

wet sanding won't leave scratches and does a better job overall. No dust either. :)

I see that :D

I'd just run some 400 over what you already have down, as long as it's sticking good, and then then throw a few more coats on it.

For something like this I would of just washed it good and then sprayed it with some Krylon Fusion for Plastic.

Well this is what I got :p

Just now I used goo gone to get the paint off, then I used 220>320>400(wet)>600(wet)

I know have a smooth surface, I am all ready for paint now right?
 

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
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You mean light sanding on top of the spary? I do have 1500, so wetsand after 24 hours and respray?
You want a decent thickness to work on, so if the paint is thin and the scratches are deep, then yes, either sand it back down to a finer grit or put more paint on. If you need learn how to sand well then I would recommend looking for some tutorials for glossy or piano finishes.
 

thescreensavers

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2005
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^ the paint is satin finish so glossy isn't exactly my wanted end result :p

I already stripped the paint and re sanded and I went up to 600(wet), I am go for painting?

Edit: so your saying for best results is to, spray lets say 3 layers, then lightly sand it with (400 wet) (form what I read) then respray 2 layers ontop of that?
 
Last edited:

alkalinetaupehat

Senior member
Mar 3, 2008
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1) If you were hypothetically starting with a fresh iClicker, I would clean it with something like acetone to remove any grease or whatever from the surface.

2) Then, I would spray a coat and let it dry until you can touch it without distorting the surface.

3) Wet sand this surface with 400 or 600 grit and then clean again with acetone and spray another coat.

4) Repeat this once more, then let it dry for 24 hours at room temperature.

5) You're done.

Since you're more or less at Step 3, sand the surface and then repeat the process until you have 2-3 coats. The key here is a smooth, consistent finish. If you're planning on painting a laptop, might I suggest a couple layers of clear coat? It will help greatly in protecting the color, and clear coat is available with a satin finish.
 

thescreensavers

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2005
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^ I used IPA to clean the surface.


So I am going to go spray a coat on now, ill let it dry to the touch, then wetsand with 600 grit. Then Clean it with IPA, then spray, then sand? Then Spray?

Also yep, I will use clearcoat if I end up spraying my laptop