How to paint plastic, the 5 best suitable formulations and how to apply them
Plastic is used in the manufacture of many things, some of which are actively used in household conditions. This material is cheap to manufacture, flexible and durable. However, plastic products fade over time. In addition, cracks and chips often appear on the surface of the material. In such cases, the question arises of how the plastic can be painted in order to restore the previous appearance of the product.
Content
What you need to know when dyeing PVC
Before proceeding to the processing of plastic panels, you need to find out what material these structures are made of. This is due to the fact that some types of these products are not suitable for coloring. Processing difficulties may arise with the following types of plastic:
- ABS. Opaque copolymer based on impact resistant resins. ABS plastic is used in the manufacture of household appliances, furniture, auto parts, batteries and other products. When painting this material, the surface is pre-primed and acrylic compounds are used for processing.
- PVC (marked with PVC). Colorless plastic based on vinyl chloride.This material is used to make profiles for doors and windows, panels for finishing a bathroom, pipes and other products used in the interior. Coloring of such plastic is carried out using special enamels. The surface is also primed.
- Polystyrene (PS). It is distinguished by its ability to withstand low temperatures, which is why the material is used for the manufacture of siding, sandwich panels, formwork and other products. The polystyrene is not stained.
- Polycarbonate (PC). Frost and heat resistant material. For this reason, car headlight housings, greenhouse panels, glasses, etc. are made of polycarbonate. Polycarbonate does not stain.
- Polyethylene (PE). According to the characteristics and constituent components, this material is used in the manufacture of films, bottles, sewage pipes, playgrounds and other products. Polyethylene cannot be painted.
- Polypropylene (PP). Chemical resistant material can withstand direct heat up to 175 degrees and sunlight. It is used in the production of packaging, pavement products, etc. Polypropylene is unpainted.
Based on the information provided, it turns out that only ABS plastic and PVC can be painted.
Appropriate dyes
For dyeing plastic, it is recommended to take acrylic compounds. These finishing materials are versatile and have good adhesion. But for the processing of plastic products, you can take other paints.
water-based
Water-based paints are considered optimal for processing plastics. In addition, for this material it is recommended to take polyurethane-acrylic compounds.Such compositions are available in the form of two components: a colorant and a hardener, which increases the strength of the applied layer.
Acrylic has the following characteristics:
- good adhesion;
- does not lose color over time;
- does not fade when exposed to sunlight;
- tolerates external influences;
- does not require prior priming of the surface.
Acrylic colors are available in a wide range of colors. Some of these formulations can withstand constant high humidity.
Mast
Soft-touch matt paints are characterized by the following characteristics:
- create a pleasant to the touch surface layer;
- the dried layer muffles sound and light;
- wear-resistant;
- dry quickly;
- do not spread during application;
- able to visually smooth corners.
Due to these characteristics, matte dyes are used in the processing of children's toys, car parts and other products that are constantly exposed to mechanical stress.
Polyurethane-acrylic
Polyurethane-acrylic compounds are mainly used for painting large surfaces: sandwich panels, PVC profiles, etc. This material is characterized by the following characteristics:
- water and wear resistant;
- withstands regular washing;
- dries quickly, so that the painted products do not stick together;
- quickly absorbed by the surface.
Polyurethane-acrylic compounds are also available as two components: a colorant and a white (milky) hardener. This material can be mixed with textured elements that will create the effect of wood, plaster, mirrors and others on the treated surface.
Aerosol
Spray paints are best for small areas. These materials are easy to apply and will not leave streaks. Spray paints have the following advantages over other similar formulations:
- no additional tools are required for application;
- you can create various effects on the worktop (imitation of wood, mirrors, etc.);
- does not fade for a long time;
- stored for a long time;
- are spent economically;
- fall on an old spray paint.
Spray paints are available as soft-touch or monad matte enamel, which gives the treated surface a glossy effect.
Enamel / model
In modeling, a special enamel is used, the basis of which is oil. White spirit or turpentine is used as a solvent for this composition. The model enamel should not be force dried. In comparison with other similar compositions, this material is able to accurately reproduce color.
The disadvantages of model enamels are:
- strong smell;
- moderate toxicity;
- dry slowly;
- fire hazard.
It is necessary to work the model enamels in a ventilated place.
Paint Selection Criteria
When choosing paint for plastic, you should pay attention to the following characteristics:
- The degree of adhesion. This parameter is important in cases where it is necessary to paint smooth plastic. Low adhesion dyes are quickly absorbed by rough surfaces.
- Hardware compatibility. The enamel used to paint the plastic should match both the base and the previously applied primer. If this rule is not followed, the dried layer will quickly become covered with cracks.
- The degree of spreading and hiding power. Both settings allow you to understand how even the dye is applied.In addition, the consumption of materials depends on these indicators.
- Water resistance. This parameter is important for those cases when plastic, which is constantly in contact with water, needs to be painted.
When choosing a coloring composition, it is also recommended to pay attention to what type of plastic the material is suitable for. This information is usually indicated on the packaging.
Dye technology
The procedure for coloring plastic practically does not differ from the methods used when processing other materials.
Instrument preparation
To paint plastic, you will need:
- fine grit sandpaper;
- roller, brushes or spray gun;
- water and detergents;
- solvent.
If you plan to partially stain the plastic, you will need masking tape, which can be used to limit the areas that will not be treated.
How to properly prepare the surface
To prevent the paint from cracking early, it is necessary to properly prepare the surface. This will require:
- remove the old coating material (using a solvent, building hair dryer or other suitable means);
- clean the surface from traces of grease and petroleum products using solvents;
- clean the plastic from traces of dirt;
- re-degrease the plastic with a solvent;
- treat the surface with an antistatic agent;
- Seal cracks and splinters with putty.
To improve adhesion, it is recommended to sand the plastic with a fine-grit emery paper. After this procedure, it is also necessary to degrease the surface with a solvent. If necessary, a primer is applied to the plastic and reprocessed with sandpaper.
The painting itself
When painting, it is recommended to lower the tip of the brush into the prepared solution. Thanks to this, the layer will be even. When applying paint to the surface, it is recommended to keep the brush on a slope.
When spraying the composition from a can, you must adhere to the following algorithm:
- The paintable plastic is laid out on a flat surface.
- Masking tape limits the area to be painted.
- The box is actively shaken and exposed at a distance of 20-30 centimeters from the working surface.
- When spraying, the can moves slowly along the plastic being processed. It is impossible to keep the container in one place for a long time. This will cause a dark spot to appear.
When painting on plastic, it is recommended to apply 2-3 layers, waiting each time for the previous one to dry. But this parameter depends on the degree of stress suffered by the treated material. If the plastic is constantly exposed to mechanical stress, several layers should be applied.
How to dry plastic after painting
Household plastic is recommended to dry naturally. Such material can melt when heated. Complete drying takes 2 to 6 hours, depending on the type of dye used. During this period, it is recommended to cover the plastic with a film so that dust does not settle on the surface.