Painting Plastic

[willielikesmonkeys]

So I don't like the grey plastic that came stock on my current case (it was the cheapest i could find at fry's at the time) and am considering painting it. I have NO idea where to start and was curious where I should start looking first to get an idea on how to attempt this?

[piplupgao]

Spray paint would work, no need to get fancy

[chaozbandit]

Cans of spray paint from a hardware store will work fine. Primer is optional, either of matte, semi-gloss, or gloss finishes will work on plastic.

[willielikesmonkeys]

Cans of spray paint from a hardware store will work fine. Primer is optional, either of matte, semi-gloss, or gloss finishes will work on plastic.

 

 

Spray paint would work, no need to get fancy

 

Thank you guys so much for the quick reply. And I'm glad to hear its really that easy.

[PBaines]

if the plastic you are painting is "shiny" make sure that you sand that all back off.

 

Other than that, prime, sand (400 grit) paint, sand (1000+ grit) paint, sand (1000+ grit) paint

 

 

I would recommend waiting a day between any painting.

Also, would recommend getting a heat gun. After spraying a coat, have the heatgun on high and QUICKLY move around the paint job, this dries it 1000x quicker. Do not hold it in a place for more than 2 seconds as you could risk overheating and causing bubbles.

 

Other than that, it is all very straight forward

[whatthe_fuzz]

Even easier than all stated above

 

plastidip. No need to prime. Its extremely simple. Its easily removable and it wont damage electronics

[bob345]

100 grit on the plastic, 2-3 coats of high build primer, 400grit then 1000grit untill the primer is smooth, and then paint another 2-3 coats with the color of your choice.

[B NEGATIVE]

Key,tack rag and paint wipe,Plastic primer,key again,2-3 coats of colour,tack rag if its dusty,4-5 coats of clear coat,depending on the finish you want.

 

Job done.

 

To the recommendations of no primer....much fail,the paint will just fall off.

 

You need to let each coat flash off for 5 mins before recoating.

Let a minimum of 36 hrs go by before changing paint.

Dont spray after 2 hours or less than 36 hours as the paint can and probably will lift.

 

P Baines has sprayed before but the heat gun is very not required,it will potentially blow dust on to the workpiece,if you want a makeshift oven then get a childs tent and a fan heater for ghetto greatness.

Put the heater in the tent,warm the air as much as yo want then remove the heater and place the workpiece in the tent,zip it up and come back in a few hours

Mask is a must.

[Scheer]

I've always just scuffed with a RED scotchbrite pad, washed the part, and then used Rustoleum Plastic spray paint (domed lid can I believe, rather than squared), it won't be shiny and will come off if you abuse it... but it is quick, simple, and holds up well to normal wear and tear.

[rentaspoon]

haven't tried it on a computer but vinyl dye soaks into the paint and changes the natural colour of the plastic BUT it is dye so if you want a red and the part is black you have to dye it white and then red.

[Scheer]

haven't tried it on a computer but vinyl dye soaks into the paint and changes the natural colour of the plastic BUT it is dye so if you want a red and the part is black you have to dye it white and then red.

 

From my experience you can only go darker, I've never heard of white dye.

[rentaspoon]

http://www.vinyldye.co.uk/Paint-Plastic-From-Black-to-White

Well there is proof you can go lighter, I used it to stencil out a sonic onto a part inside my car which looked v. nice till the car was written off

[TheProfosist]

Sand with fine grit sand paper and use spray paint ment for plastic.