PVC PREP

[josie]

Anyone know what would be the proper way to prep pvc ...and are Auto Air paints good for this kind of material

Thanks

[ABD]

I would think sanding with something like 400 would be a good start..Clean the heck out of it with a degreaser...Not sure but I thought PVC had some kind of agent (silicone or something) in it that will mess with adhesion..Might not work...But i'm no expert, hang tight someone will have the tech manual handy..LOL

[Annie]

Hi Josie!
You need to stay away as much as possible from PVC... .HAHAHA But it's possible to do it. What you need to do is prep it with a scotch brite and comet. Yes, comet to clean the kitchen. Never ever use any kind of degreaser or it will reactivate agents in the PVC that will make your paint lift. So scuff it really well with a gray scotch brite pad wth comet, rinse well and dry then you are ready to go. If you put primer on it, it's fine. It's best even! Just don't use degreaser at any point. If you are doing the job for a client, maybe you can tell them that you cannot garanty adhesion.
If you have any questions let me know. My good friend Shane (shpaint) taught me all about it.
Oh and I forgot...use an adhesion promoter...very important! And when you use it, spray a light fume. Don't wet the parts with it. Let dry for about 10 minutes and then spray with primer or paint.
Hope this helps!
Good luck,
Annie :)

[minniemouse]

What kind of PVC Josie? The ones for signs, like plastic guttering? Or the PVC that moulds to the body type?

If it's the first kind, I just rub down gently with 400 grit wet & dry and then use enamel.
The other kind, there a plastic-coat type paint, which you use first over the whole area, because it streaches (cant sp today, soz)

[Annie]

BTW....if you want you can give me a call Josie!
If you want to, PM me and I'll send u my number :)

[josie]

Thanks guys (Bryon , Minnie & Annie ) its just a piece for myself a regular pvc board ..i'll will try with the Comet Annie tyvm and thanks for your offer also thats very kind of you

[redanner]

Sounds like sound advice Annie! I would suggested everything but the grease & wax remover which I was not aware of! I would have suggested BON-AMI instead of Comet! Regular BON-AMI is bleach free!

[Annie]

But isnt Bon Ami a spray to clean mirrors? Or maybe there are more then one product in the Bon-Ami brand? hahaha Comet is an abrassive powder. I've tried it and it gave really good results!
The thing you have to be careful with PVC is that its a really unstable plastic. Don't put it through temparature variations.

Before you start your work, if you have access to a heating lamp, you can place your parts under it to try and have the solvents in PVC evaporate. Only a part of them will evaporate but it's better then nothing. It will open the pores of the plastic so you can scuff right away. But when that's done, do not put them under heat again. Once they are painted, do not cure them or everything will fly off. (Yeah... I made the test without really planning on it... HAHAHA). The comet cleans the plastic well enough for it to be painted. Just manipulate the parts with gloves so you don't put any contaminants on the surface
Plastics are fun...as long as you are meticulous! :D

Annie
PS: Instead of comet, you can use Ajax. There are probably other products that could work! I'm mentionning what I have tested.

[sharonsstudio]

Great advice great thread..

[installer]

adheision promotor for plastics would work as maybe the first step before you lay out your primer no?
1- scuff, clean and dry
2- plastic adheision promotor (good coats)
3- high build plastic style primer (start light coats)
4- sand with 800 wet
5- spray your base coat
6- now it's safe to airbrush

i may be wrong, but i would think this would properly seal the pvc. and the fact that it is plastic, you need to use a flexible plastic primer

just my 2 cents

:)

[airdoom]

awesome thread learning alot from it

[Annie]

adheision promotor for plastics would work as maybe the first step before you lay out your primer no?
1- scuff, clean and dry
2- plastic adheision promotor (good coats)
3- high build plastic style primer (start light coats)
4- sand with 800 wet
5- spray your base coat
6- now it's safe to airbrush

i may be wrong, but i would think this would properly seal the pvc. and the fact that it is plastic, you need to use a flexible plastic primer

just my 2 cents

:)


You are right. As long as you use a specific way to clean because PVC as a lot of stuff in it that is more likely to get out of it then other plastics like polypropylene. It's a very greasy type of plastic and VERY unstable. So never use a degreaser or a final wash that you would use on other situations. Even after it's been properly sealed. You can use a final wash or a standard degreaser on bumpers without any problems but PVC is another story! I'm very sorry to say I speak from experience..hahaha

Annie