Spraypainting plastic

[Howard]

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.

If you sand paint at the tack-free stage, you're probably going to end up with a horrible mess. This isn't primer he's using.

 

[thescreensavers]

^ so then I should wait 24 hours before I sand right?

 

[Howard]

^ so then I should wait 24 hours before I sand right?

What does your can of paint say?

 

[thescreensavers]

It says nothing of sanding. It just says fully dried in 24 hours. I used 150 gritt to remove the old paint with goo gone, So I am sure I can do light 600 wet grit. Then spray. Then see how it is.

 

[Howard]

http://www.rustoleumibg.com/images/tds/UN_Gloss_Satin_Flat.pdf

Could be as long as 48 hours before the paint fully cures, but you'd probably be OK at 24 depending on the temperature of the area it's curing in.

 

[yhelothar]

I haven't painted plastic, but I've painted a fiberglass bumper before that came out rather well after several tries.

1. You should sand your surface down to 400-600grit wet as suggested.
2. Use a tack cloth(basically a sticky cloth) to make sure the surface is free from dust or any kind of particles, you could buy this at any auto/hardware shop.
3. Put on a light coat of primer, wait 3-5mins depending on how humidity and temp of your area. I like to use a hair blowdryer to make things quicker. Put on another coat.
Put on about 3-4 coats total with your first two being really light, not even completely covering the surface from it being so light, and the last two make em fairly wet without dripping.
4. Wait an hour or two for it to dry and wet sand with 600 grit.
5. Now you're ready for paint. Put 3-4 layers of basecoat on similar to how you put on the primer.
6. Spray on a few coats of clear if desired. I'd only do this if you need extra protection to the paint.

For the above, I'd spray on a test surface to get a good feel how to get a good wet coat without sagging.

After you're done, wait a day for it to dry really well, and wet sand the paint with 600 and/or 1000grit depending on how bad your orange peel is. Then use some rubbing compound and buff it to a perfect shine! This will remove any imperfections in your spraying and give you a near perfect surface.

There's a really good video on this site that I followed to get my results. I like how they show you their spraying technique. Quick, repeating strokes to get a nice even spray.
http://automotivetouchup.com

 

[exdeath]

Using the proper paint goes a long way. If you're looking to get a smooth hard shiny candy finish, you're not going to get that with just a generic urethane rattle can. You need automotive paint.

 

[Howard]

Using the proper paint goes a long way. If you're looking to get a smooth hard shiny candy finish, you're not going to get that with just a generic urethane rattle can. You need automotive paint.

I think he's going for a satin rather than a gloss finish.

 

[thescreensavers]

ok, I dont know whats happening and I am getting frustrated

Last night I found this

So I thought I could just simply wetsand it down, and repaint without any issue. And Ill be done.

Well When I laid the new paint over, I got like 10 more of those spots now!

I think I need to drysand again and remove the paint again as something went wrong.

Can someone explain whats going on?

 

[PottedMeat]

either the solvent in the paint is melting your plastic

or

you're putting down waaaaaaayyy too much paint in that spot

 

[thescreensavers]

I am just doing a quick pass and letting it dry, for 30 min then I do an other light quick, light coat.

After I sanded it I sprayed a light coat and it looks like that even wet. So idk 🙁

 

[thescreensavers]

I think I am going to sand it down and go buy some Krylon for plastics. So I dont have this universal crap lol.

 

[Eli]

I don't know why you would consider using a regular paint on plastic in the first place. Krylon Fusion is amazing stuff.

 

[Eli]

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.

Jeebus, for the love of all that is noodley! Always test a solvent in an inconspicuous place before you go dunking your shit. Acetone will melt most plastics.... Beware.

 

[thescreensavers]

I don't know why you would consider using a regular paint on plastic in the first place. Krylon Fusion is amazing stuff.

Its universal paint which supposedly works on plastic, well its a learning experience. So yar...

 

[thescreensavers]

Alright, I sanded 150(to remove paint)>400(wet)>600(wet)>1500(wet)

I bought the Krylon Fusion Satin Black, it was 5 bucks.

Going to spray tonight, hope all goes well ha.

 

[Howard]

Alright, I sanded 150(to remove paint)>400(wet)>600(wet)>1500(wet)

I bought the Krylon Fusion Satin Black, it was 5 bucks.

Going to spray tonight, hope all goes well ha.

Did you use any sort of sanding block or did you freehand it?

 

[thescreensavers]

^ Free hand

 

[PottedMeat]

how messed up does this phone shell look now?

 

[thescreensavers]

^ Its not a phone shell but its not that messed up

There are some lines that are not coming out now though lol

 

[thescreensavers]

Alright well I am done with this now lol

There are still some small imperfections on the front piece, on the back piece there is some kinda noticeable stuff, but forget it, I am not touching it lol.

Krylon stuff went alot better then the suckoleum.