Paint for Plastic?

[Jemdawg]

Does anybody have experience with painting plastic? I'm curious to know if there is paint out there that can stick to the plastic engine cover, endure the high temps, and keep from chipping easily. I was feeling ricey and was looking for some cheap aesthetic mods in the interim of better things to come.

[Ever Victorious]

Not a good plan. If the engine cover were aluminum, it would be easy... but since there are no plastic primers that are high-temp rated, it's kind of pointless. There ARE hi temp paints, but they don't stick well to plastic.

But you could always go out and get a billet aluminum oil cap.

[Jemdawg]

I figured that would be the case. I guess I'll wait it out until somebody starts making custom painted covers. If the market starts to pick up, that's bound to happen.

[proxim2020]

I second that. The high temp paint doesn't stick well to plastic. The ones that do stick well, don't do well in heat. But you have new things being released everyday. I saw go all out. Get an custom aluminum cover made and get it anodized

[reyes1212]

But then, how did Kimber do it?

[HareBrained]

Hold on guys. Think about this for a second. If it's plastic, it's not a "high heat" environment unless it's a very special plastic (and I don't think it is). There are plenty of metals with automotive paint on lots of parts in the engine compartment, why would it not work on plastic as well. Today's automotive paints are formulated to remain flexible because they're applied to plastic bumpers, hood scoops, etc. Lastly, Dupicolor make an "etching" primer that is designed to be applied over a smooth surface, and it's supposed to work well on plastics because of it's superior adhesion properties. It's really quite simple.

[reyes1212]

okay so im going to go buy the "etching" prier and pain i want. so okay thanks rabbit

[kamikazestorm420]

okay so im going to go buy the "etching" prier and pain i want. so okay thanks rabbit

use something called an adhesion promoter.

sand the plastic with like a 300 grit and then spray adhesion promoter. then spray etching primer then paint using whatever

[KimberKenobi]

Hold on guys. Think about this for a second. If it's plastic, it's not a "high heat" environment unless it's a very special plastic (and I don't think it is). There are plenty of metals with automotive paint on lots of parts in the engine compartment, why would it not work on plastic as well. Today's automotive paints are formulated to remain flexible because they're applied to plastic bumpers, hood scoops, etc. Lastly, Dupicolor make an "etching" primer that is designed to be applied over a smooth surface, and it's supposed to work well on plastics because of it's superior adhesion properties. It's really quite simple.

yeah... it's not a high heat environment... let us not forget I melted my first engine cover trying to cure it... I can't believe I admitted to that...

I used krylon to base and then my dupli-color flecks and the wheel clear. So far it still looks pretty... we'll see how it holds up!

Oh, and the cover isn't a smooth surface so the etching thing doesn't really seem necessary...

[reyes1212]

so then i look for something called krylon and something called wheel clear. THANKS kimber

[CodeRed]

How about the paint meant for painting engines?

[reyes1212]

I thought about that but wouldnt that sort of count as high temp or ceramic?

[KimberKenobi]

How about the paint meant for painting engines?

That's what I tried at first, but unless you cure it, it is dull and ugly. (IMHO) Besides, it's really overkill because that cover doesn't get more than 300 degrees (not anywhere close to it, actually)

I used Krylon Fusion (it's paint for plastic and includes the plastic primer and if you get a coordinating color, you don't need as much of the color you really want).

Then I used my Dupli-Color metallic flecks (because it turns my crank and matches my V)

The clear coat I started using on EVERYTHING is the Dupli-Color wheel clear (because it's a lot tougher than the clear enamel)

[kamikazestorm420]

+1 on clear. do NOT use enamel.

[reyes1212]

just got back and with me i brought, the krlon BLACK flat they didnt have the fusion one so i got that. and the adhesion promoter, a red paint, and the clear coat acrylic enamel...SO i guess I have to go back to a different store and look for the FUSION, and the WHEEL CLEAR because they didnt have a clear one at the auto store i went to; just silver white and goldish.

[KimberKenobi]

You don't have an O'Reilley's do ya? They always order my stuff for me and get it pretty quickly.

[reyes1212]

Yeah I;m not sure what O'Reillys is but I have Wal-mart, autozone, Checker auto parts, and...pep boys. maybe at walmart in the arts and crafts they have those paints...hmm

[Ever Victorious]

I just have to wonder... you're talking about doing this project because you've put something in your trunk and it's scratched up the plastic. Have you thought about taking the car someplace to have rhino liner put in the trunk? It would be a hell of a lot more durable than either paint or the original plastic...

[reyes1212]

Oh...lmao that would be nice mabe down the road if that ever happens.I just wanted to do to my engine cover what KimberKenobi did to hers, except I'm making mine red instead of blue.

[KimberKenobi]

Maybe try Checker? I'm finishing up stuff on the Camel today... I'll post a new pic of my engine bay (squee!!)

[Ever Victorious]

Oh...lmao that would be nice mabe down the road if that ever happens.I just wanted to do to my engine cover what KimberKenobi did to hers, except I'm making mine red instead of blue.

I r smrt. I thought this was a different thread. whooops!

[reyes1212]

lolol yea "I R SMART" lolcan;t wait to see it, KIMBER!