How to paint plastic: types of paint and tips on painting for beginners with your own hands at home (78 photos)

The nuances of coloring plastic

• Plastic is famous for its insulating qualities, and, as a result, mediocre adhesion. In this regard, not every paint will be able to adhere firmly to the polymer surface;
• Hard types of plastic are easier to paint. Paint may peel off soft surfaces that constantly bend during use. For painting soft products, it is best to use elastic enamel;
• If we are talking about a hard type of plastic, such as that from which containers are made, then universal acrylic enamel is ideal for painting;
• Painting is not carried out in the case of such types of plastic as polyethylene, polystyrene and polypropylene.

Difficulties in painting plastic

The main difficulty is to recognize what type of plastic the object that requires painting is made of. Not all of them take paint equally well, so it's worth experimenting a little with painting plastic parts.

Perhaps the material stamp indicates that this would certainly be the best solution. Otherwise, only paint samples will help. Also, ask your hardware store for advice on the most suitable products if it is unclear which type of plastic you should make them with.

If you feel competent enough, just read the specifications of the relevant articles - ideally also on the website, that is, before purchasing.

Coincidentally, the plastic parts made from polyethylene and polypropylene (short for polyethylene and polypropylene) cause the most problems.

Even softer PVC (polyvinyl chloride) mixtures often have adhesion difficulties due to the plasticizers they contain. The primer and varnish must be selected accordingly, otherwise it is possible that after applying the paint you will be very disappointed.

Preparing plastic for painting

If your type of plastic is suitable for coloring, and you really want to change the color on your drinking water bucket, then you need to start with degreasing (solvent, white spirit), treating with an antistatic agent and putty. The latter is necessary if the plastic has flaws and damage. Sanding with sandpaper while exposing it to water will also help remove cracks and cracks if they are small.

The most important preparation step is priming the plastic surface. We have already said that the adhesion of such a polymer coating is extremely mediocre, and a primer will help improve it.

Important information about paint

Most paints classified as polyvinyl chloride floor paints use a urethane-acrylate dispersion as a base.

This type of paint can be thinned with water and may contain additional hardeners (otherwise you should purchase additional hardener to optimize the result).

In addition, there are special paints called polyurethane varnishes, which are practical, quick-drying options.

Choosing a primer for plastic

For plastic, liquid acrylic-based enamel primer is used. This component dries quickly, creating a layer on the surface of the plastic that adheres well to the paint. Moreover, such a component is able to retain paint even when exposed to the sun and moisture. Finally, there is a method of applying such a primer by spraying. It is not only fast, but also very economical.

By the way! If, after the primer has dried, you treat it with sandpaper, the surface will acquire a matte color and will adhere to the paint even better.

Painting plastic windows

Note: For interior window treatments, you should always use water-based plastic paint, i.e. acrylic paint. Compared to synthetic resin paints, it contains significantly fewer toxins.

The outside of the windows are painted with synthetic paint based on chemicals. It appears to be much more weather resistant and comes with a long service life.

Painting process:

1. Clean the plastic parts to be painted thoroughly. The more painstakingly you work, the more it is worth seeing the result of the drawing. At the end of this first step, the surface should be free of dust and dirt and should be completely uniform (moderate).
2. Glue or cover window handles, hinges, washers and seals before painting. It is especially important to be very precise with the latter because they are very sensitive to primer and paint. For masking and masking, simply use masking tape and foil.
3. Bond the plastic surface with sandpaper (240 grit). Don't do this too hard to avoid damaging the material. Remove any remaining dust with a damp sponge.
4. Apply primer to the browned frame with a brush.
5. Once dry, apply general primer.
6. Carefully redden the plastic parts of the frame and remove dust with a damp sponge.

After the drying time specified by the manufacturer, real paint is used. Here you can choose between classic white and a variety of bright colors. Always apply it, working long from top to bottom.

For large surfaces, a paint roller is suitable, but smaller corners and grooves can be optimally treated with a paint brush or sprayer.

Paint for plastic: choice

Spray paint is the best way to give plastic a new color. It fits perfectly, applies smoothly and very quickly. There are special types of paint created specifically for these polymer products. At the same time, the rapid drying is also noteworthy. The disadvantage of this paint is the inability to make clear boundaries without using masking tape, as well as the difficulty of painting small parts and mixing colors on the same surface.

Painting with universal or plastic acrylic enamel. Typically, delicate work is carried out in this way, or parts that do not require special attention are painted. The reason is that it takes longer to dry, during which the sticky surface can become dirty.

By the way! There is information on the Internet about the successful use of leather paint on plastic. It is applied after preliminary degreasing. At the same time, the coating lies smoothly and firmly.

Areas of use

The range of uses of dye for plastic is quite wide, but it is most often used:

1. For painting dashboards of boats and cars. Painting the panels is necessary not only for decoration purposes, but also to give them additional strength. This is especially true for panels and other plastic parts of boats that are located on the deck and are exposed to the elements.
2. For the purpose of decorating various household items and interior design. Plastic dyes can be used to decorate furniture, beautifully decorate wall panels, or paint plastic bottles. From such bottles, craftsmen create real works of art, skillfully combining the colors of the bottles produced and additional coloring.

Paints for plastic can be used anywhere, the main thing is to choose the type of dye in accordance with the type of plastic and the operating conditions of the product.

Plastic coloring process

• Before painting, it is better to cover with masking tape all those places that will not be treated. This is especially important when working with paint in cans;
• Regardless of what exactly you paint the plastic with, it is best to apply 2-3 layers;
• When working with an aerosol, the latter must be shaken for at least 30 seconds. At the same time, keep the sprayer at a distance of 20-30 centimeters from the surface to be painted. If you want to simplify the application of paint, making it more precise, you can use nozzles on a spray can;
• When painting with a brush, try to apply the coating in a thin layer, pressing the tool to the surface. At the same time, make sure that the angle is approximately the same. It is better to apply a layer of paint in a wide stripe for greater uniformity, and then shade it to get into all the pores. It is better not to submerge the brush completely when applying paint to it.

How to paint plastic without the paint peeling off

Plastic painting technology: how to get a durable and beautiful coating

Even during production, plastic is perfectly painted in any color. But often there is a need to repaint a plastic product during operation. But painting plastic does not always give a good result - often the new coating simply falls off. It's all about the subtleties of coloring. To get a smooth, durable, beautiful surface, you need to choose the right paint and follow the technology for applying it.

To paint or not to paint?

First of all, you need to understand the question: is it possible to paint plastic at all? It is possible, but not everyone. Plastic (plastic) is a collective name, and different materials are hidden under it.

Important! The type of plastic cannot be determined by eye. To find out what kind of plastic an item is made of, you need to find markings on it (two or three capital letters in Latin).

Here are the most common types of plastics and how they relate to painting:

• polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) – not painted;
• ABS plastic (ABS) and PVC (PVC) - can be painted, but require prior priming.

Types of plastic, marking, scope of application
A separate story with automotive plastics. As a rule, polymers are used here that lend themselves well to painting. But some of them require priming, while others do not. To determine whether a particular part needs to be primed, you can use the following tests:

• Place the entire part or a small piece of it in a container of water. Plastic that sinks can be painted without a primer. And material floating on the surface must be primed.
• Take a small piece of plastic, clean it of old paint and dirt and set it on fire. If the material burns with a clean and even flame, it needs to be primed. And if soot and black smoke are released during combustion, no primer is needed.

Which paint to choose?

Having determined the material of the product, you need to decide how to paint the plastic. There are several options here:


Enamel intended for painting plastic

• The optimal solution is to buy special enamel for processing plastics. Its label should indicate “for plastic” or “on plastic”. For soft products, you should definitely choose elastic enamel.
• Take regular oil paint.
• Use water-based emulsions, such as universal acrylic ones.

Attention! Do not apply acetone-based enamels and varnishes to plastic products. This solvent will corrode the surface to be painted.

There is also plastic paint (liquid plastic). This is not the same as paint on plastic. Liquid plastic consists of a polymer dissolved in a solvent. When dry, this composition forms a thin and durable plastic layer on the surface. These paints are universal and can be applied to a wide variety of surfaces. But before using such a material to paint plastic, you need to carefully read the label and make sure that it is suitable for this purpose.

Painting method

Enamels for plastic are sold both in jars and in cans. What paint to paint a particular product depends on its size and the painting skills of the artist:

• Enamel in a can is suitable for processing small objects. It's easy to apply (although it does require a little practice). Once the work is completed, the paint in the can can be stored for a long time without emitting an unpleasant odor. The spray paint is applied very easily and creates a perfectly smooth, beautiful surface.

On a note! When working with an aerosol, you must not mix colors and create clear boundaries between painted and unpainted areas of the surface.

There is much more paint in a can, but it is stored worse. Therefore, this format is better suited for painting large areas. But applying enamel evenly with a brush requires considerable experience and a lot of effort. Otherwise, traces of bristles and stains will be visible on the finished surface.

Thus, aerosol enamel is much more convenient for home use than canned enamel. If you have to choose enamel in a can and paint large surfaces (panels, furniture, containers), it is better to use a spray gun. Otherwise, it is applied with a brush or (much less often) with a roller.

Preparing plastic for painting

For painting of plastic to be successful, it is necessary to properly prepare the surface. This is done in several stages:

Removal of old coatings. They can be removed from plastic in several ways - rub the surface with sandpaper, treat it with a solvent, or heat it with a hair dryer. When choosing a solvent to remove paint from plastic, make sure that it will not dissolve the plastic base.

Cleaning. A dirty item must be thoroughly washed and dried.

Degreasing. The cleaned surface is wiped with a solvent.

Antistatic treatment of plastic. Plastics become electrified and attract dust and small debris, which greatly damage the painted surface. An antistatic agent eliminates this problem.

If necessary, the surface is puttied.

Grouting the surface. The plastic must be matted - sanded with fine sandpaper (no larger than No. 180). This treatment will increase the adhesion of paint to plastic. It is more convenient to rub large surfaces with water (in this case you will need moisture-resistant sandpaper). After sanding, the plastic is removed from dust and dried.

Repeated defatting.

Padding. The surface is treated with a special primer for plastic. The primed product is dried.

Re-matting and dust removal.

This completes the preparation of plastic for painting.

Conditions for successful coloring of plastic

To obtain an even and durable coating when painting plastic, observe the following conditions:

• room temperature – more than +18°C;
• relative air humidity – up to 80%;
• the temperature of the surface to be painted, the paint and the tools (equipment) for applying it must be the same;
• paint is applied to plastic in a layer 60–120 microns thick (a thinner coating will be short-lived, a thicker one will be sloppy);
• dry the painted product at a temperature of +18…+60°C;
• during the period of painting and drying, the object must be protected from dust;
• drying time under recommended conditions – from two to three hours to a day (depending on the specific temperature);
• final polymerization (hardening) of the paint occurs only after 5–7 days.

Until polymerization is completed, the painted product should not be subjected to strong mechanical stress, low temperatures and high humidity.

Technology of painting plastic with a brush

Painting plastic with a brush requires good skill. In this way, it is difficult to make an even coating, and over a large area, unevenness will be very noticeable.

On a note! The brush creates a relatively thick layer of paint and will take longer to dry.

The paint is applied to the plastic in wide, even stripes. Each stroke is first made with a gentle movement (the paint is applied in a relatively thick layer). Then the bristles are pressed more firmly to blend the coating and make the layer thinner. The third movement of the brush should again be light - it evens out the applied material. As a rule, with this application technology, one coat of paint is sufficient.

Basic rules for coloring:

• The brush should not be completely immersed in the coloring composition; it is better to dip only the tip.
• The paint should be applied in as thin a layer as possible, rubbing it thoroughly with tightly pressed bristles.
• To ensure an even coating, the brush must be constantly held at the same angle to the surface to be painted.

How to paint plastic from a spray can

The technology for coloring plastics in this case is no different from processing other materials:

• The surface to be painted must be covered around the perimeter with construction tape, and adjacent areas must be protected with paper or oilcloth.
• The can should be shaken well (according to the instructions on the label - from 30 seconds to 3 minutes).
• The paint is sprayed onto the prepared surface from a distance of 20–30 cm.
• Apply the composition with smooth, even movements in one thin layer. Keep the can upright.
• Aerosol paint goes on thinner, so you need to apply two to three layers.
• Each coat must dry before the next is applied (spray paint usually takes 15-20 minutes to dry).
• Immediately after applying the last layer, the construction tape must be removed from the plastic.

Advice! If you need to paint large surfaces, it is worth purchasing a special tip for the spray can. It will help adjust the amount of spray composition and distribute it more evenly.

When the enamel is completely dry, it can be coated on top with acrylic varnish (glossy or matte). This technique is suitable for any method of applying paint. The varnish will protect the coating from damage and extend its service life, as well as additionally level the surface. It is applied in the same way as paint and then dried.

Thus, it is quite possible to paint the plastic with high quality with your own hands. You just need to be careful about the choice of paint and carefully prepare the surface.

How to paint plastic

Many people think that painting plastic is quite simple, but not all types of this material can be painted. More precisely, you can paint such surfaces, and the paint will lie quite evenly, but after drying it may peel or crack.

In order for the paint to last a long time and the painted surfaces to look attractive, you must first figure out what types of plastic can be painted and what paints can be used to do this.

There are different types of plastics, and each of these materials has unique properties; accordingly, such surfaces must be painted differently. There are also plastics that cannot be painted.

If the plastic is like polypropylene or polyethylene (PE), then it is almost impossible to paint it and any paint will peel off in pieces. That is, if you want, for example, to paint metal-plastic heating pipes (they are made of polyethylene), then nothing will work, so it is better to immediately choose the appropriate shade.

When it comes to plastic automotive parts, they are divided into two types: those that require the application of a special primer and those that do not.

Determining which group a specific plastic part belongs to is quite simple:

You can lower the product or a small piece of it into the water: if it completely goes under water, then the part does not need a primer, but if it floats on the surface of the water, then it is necessary to apply a special primer for plastic.

You can also burn a piece of plastic part, cleaned of paint and dirt - if it burns with black smoke and soot, then no primer is needed, if the flame is clean and even, then primer is necessary.

Plastic coloring technology

In general, the sequence of operations when painting plastic surfaces and parts is as follows:

• Degreasing
• Application of primer for plastic surfaces
• Application of acrylic based primer
• Sanding acrylic primer
• Applying paint

Features of painting plastic

• ABS or PVC-based plastics can be painted, but such surfaces should first be coated with an adhesive primer. It can be purchased at auto stores (primer for plastic) or at paint and varnish stores - Otex-type primers from Tikkurila. Such compositions are applied by spraying or wiping, and after this the surfaces must dry for one minute.
• Plastic surfaces to be painted must be dry and clean and free of grease, dust or other contaminants.
• Additionally, there is no need to prepare the surface for painting, only if the work is carried out with polystyrene or ABS plastics, which will be painted with acrylic water-based paints.
• The temperature of the plastic, paint and even painting equipment should be the same. Ideal conditions for painting plastic are indoor conditions with a temperature of at least 18 degrees and a humidity of no more than 80%.
• Painting is done in one layer with a thickness of approximately 60 microns. A layer of less thickness may be fragile, and the paint will not adhere well to the surface of the plastic. Conversely, a paint layer that is too thick (more than 120 microns) will increase the drying time, which can have a negative impact on the appearance of the paint.
• Drying plastic surfaces after painting should be done at a temperature of 18-60 degrees, the exact value depends on the thickness of the paint layer. So, with a layer of 90-120 microns, the drying time of the paint will be approximately 3 hours at a temperature of 50 degrees and air humidity of 65%. Polyamides and polypropylenes can be dried in 20 minutes at 100 degrees Celsius.
• Complete drying (polymerization) of paint on plastics occurs within 5-7 days, but if the temperature is low, humidity is high, and the paint layer is very thick, then this period can be extended several times.

Evaluate the manufacturing method:

I tried to paint using this technology... I painted the speedometer housing, but the rest of the dashboard had already been painted before me. Accordingly, I removed almost the entire old layer of paint with sandpaper, degreased it, started spraying, and craters appeared (in some places the paint blurred, as if it had been smeared with wax) ..I can’t understand the reason..maybe the surface was rubbed with silicone??and why didn’t the solvent (646) remove it?

A primer for paint is needed, I also repainted the plastic on a motorcycle after an accident, when it dries, a “snake skin” pattern appears in places. As I noticed, temperature changes also have an effect... and the fact that I didn’t remove the 646th will lick the 650th))

How to paint plastic

An excellent decoration for your home that won’t cost a lot of money would be some plastic objects painted in bright colors. With a little work, you can give these little things a new life. All this is very easy and simple to do yourself with the help of special devices in a short period of time.

Preliminary preparation of the subject

Selecting a plastic item that you want to paint and transform.

Basically, all plastic items can be painted, but there are also some that are not suitable for this and which are not recommended for use. Boxes, figurines, decorative items, toys and furniture are all excellent materials that we will need for painting. You can also apply paint to plastic walls (in the kitchen and bathroom), baseboards and cabinets. It is not advisable to paint tables, showers, bathtubs and floors.

The answer to the question of how to paint plastic will be the following recommendations. The item that you use most often needs more coats of paint. It will take quite a long time, but it will be worth it. This item will serve you for a long time and the paint will not peel off.

Before you start painting, you need to thoroughly sand the item. Items can be used either old or new, it doesn't matter.

How to paint plastic? What paint?

These questions will definitely arise in your mind at the first stage of work. So, you should know the following. If you choose the wrong paint (not every paint is suitable for plastic products), the item can simply be ruined, since the paint will not adhere to it well enough.

You can purchase special paint for plastic at a regular paint store or order it online. This paint is available both in cans and in liquid consistency. In our case, it is better to purchase paint in a can, as it will be more convenient to apply.

To give the product shine and additional protection from damage, a sealing compound is applied to it. It should also be purchased along with the paint. What you don't need to buy is primer. Plastic does not require priming before painting.

What do we need for work?

Before you start painting, you need to prepare the necessary equipment.

First of all, prepare some piece of cloth or tarpaulin, newspaper, soap and water, sandpaper, sponge or brush for cleaning, solvent or gasoline. Large items will require a sander. If you want to cover the entire item completely, then you need masking tape.

You should also definitely purchase a special face mask if you are going to work in a poorly ventilated area. Paint releases toxic poisons that can harm your health, so try to ventilate the room in which you are working. Painting is a very dirty job, so it’s better to change into old clothes.

How to paint plastic correctly?

1. Before the painting process itself, you need to thoroughly clean the surface of the object.

The paint will not adhere well to a dusty or dirty plastic surface. If you don’t clean the item well, the paint after drying will not be smooth, with pimples. A brush dipped in soapy water will perfectly clean your product of dirt. Bleach is great for fighting mold and mildew. After all cleaning procedures, let the item dry completely, only then proceed to painting.

2. Treatment of the surface of the product with a solvent.

This is done in order to get rid of the old paint layer and degrease the entire surface of the plastic. Use a cloth moistened with solvent to thoroughly wipe the desired item. After all this, you need to rinse it with water and dry it well.

3. Sanding the item is an important procedure before painting.

This procedure is carried out using sandpaper or a grinding machine. Sand the top layer of the plastic surface for better paint penetration into the structure of the product. As a result, a porous surface is formed on the plastic, which has a beneficial effect on the quality of painting. It is desirable for the product to be matte, so it is recommended to remove the shine.

The sandpaper grit should be no more than 180, so as not to make the surface very rough. The above-mentioned sandpaper will give our product the appropriate finish for the best paint penetration. After sanding, the plastic must be thoroughly treated with a rag and brush.

4. Using masking tape.

If you want to paint an object not completely, but only some of its areas, then you should use masking tape. To do this, those areas that remain untouched must be sealed with tape. It is recommended to remove the masking tape after painting, but before the paint has yet dried, which is of no small importance.

5. Directly painting the object.

Before painting, if desired, you can treat the plastic with a spray, which will help the paint stick longer and stronger. Using a brush, apply paint (if you are using liquid) to the entire surface of the desired plastic item.

When using spray paint, proceed as follows. You need to lift the can of paint at a distance from the object and spray the paint in a wide circular motion from left to right.

You should know an important rule: after each press on the can, it is recommended to remove your finger from the nozzle, since if this is not done, the paint will drip. Immediately before the painting procedure, you need to shake the can for 1-2 minutes.

After applying the first coat, allow the paint to dry sufficiently before applying the next one. How many coats you need will depend on the quality of the paint itself and how well you prepared the surface before painting.

6. Applying sealant.

Sealants perform various functions. If you want to give your item more shine, it is recommended to apply the sealant some time after the paint has completely dried, and not earlier. The sealant is applied in a similar way to spray paint.

End of work

So, you have painted the product and applied sealant to it. For both to dry completely, a period of time of about 24-36 hours will be required before the product is finally ready. After drying time, remove the masking tape and add any final touches to complete the job. That's all! Your unique plastic product is ready to decorate any room in your home, fitting into any interior.

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Is it necessary to prime

It is known that preparation for painting for all coloring agents consists of the following steps:

• cleaning;
• grinding;
• degreasing;
• primers.

Some types of plastic do not require priming - they can be painted immediately after degreasing, skipping one of the preparation steps. But how to determine whether to prime or not?

At home, this can be done in two ways:

1. Light a small piece of plastic on fire. If the flame smokes heavily during combustion, then priming is not necessary. This is worth taking note of for those who prefer to prime plastic bottles to improve the quality of their work. Bottles smoke a lot when burned, so it is quite possible to save time and money by skipping the priming work.
2. Place in water. Sunken plastic parts do not require application of primer mixtures.

Important! If it is not possible to carry out these simple tests, for example, if the wall panels have been installed for a long time and there are no remaining pieces for examination, then it is recommended not to neglect priming work.

How to clean plastic panels?

The plastic found in the kitchen is most susceptible to contamination; fatty deposits along with dust particles will quickly do their job, and now dirty stains are visible on the surface simulating marble or tiles, which are best removed as often as possible, in which case the work will be less labor-intensive.

For cleaning you can use:

• Kitchen cleaning powders;
• Dishwashing liquid;
• Sponges and soap solution.

Under no circumstances should scrapers, pumice stones or other hard abrasives be used to clean plastic panels, as this will lead to scratches and deterioration of decorative qualities.

Also, you should not use aggressive reagents with a high content of hydrochloric and sulfuric acid for cleaning.

Fat deposits are easily removed with the help of cleaning powder applied to a sponge, and warm water; however, it should not be rubbed with great effort; the plastic surface is quite easy to clean.

What are silicones and liquid plastics?

Both types of materials belong to the two-component category. This means that before starting work, both plastic and silicone must be prepared by mixing the components in the proportions established by the manufacturer. After pouring the finished composition, the process of polymerization or, as the masters say, hardening begins. Despite the similar operating technology, the scope and properties of the two products are far from the same.

Features of liquid plastic

This material is a polyurethane-based mixture that polymerizes at room temperature. After hardening, objects made of liquid plastic acquire mechanical strength and resistance to moisture. The scope of application of the compound is extensive. Craftsmen use it to make furniture decor, all kinds of jewelry, sculptures and models. In industry, liquid plastic is used to produce prototype parts. Such polymers do not have a pungent odor.

Buy liquid plastic

What do we know about silicone?

If liquid plastic is used to make finished products, then silicone is most often used to create molds. As a rule, silicone molds are used for casting objects from epoxy resin, ceramics, gypsum, various types of wax, etc. The properties of silicone molds largely depend on the components they contain. Thus, compositions based on a platinum catalyst have a longer service life. It is prohibited to use silicone on tin for food products.

Buy liquid silicone

Torpedo restoration options

We can briefly consider the available methods for restoring a car dashboard. These include the following methods:

• paint with acrylic enamel and varnish;
• matte enamel painting;
• paint with a rubber-containing compound;
• pasting with vinyl film;
• finishing with leather or its substitute.

As mentioned above, the easiest and cheapest way to return a decent appearance to a torpedo with your own hands is painting and applying a layer of varnish. Some people prefer matte enamels, since deep gloss can cause glare from the sun and interfere with driving. It all depends on the shape of the torpedo and the taste of the owner of the car. In most cases, preference is given to a glossy surface.

Silicone coloring procedure

If you choose the subsurface tinting method, remember that it is advisable to use it when making silicone decor, and not molds for the production of epoxy resin products. The work will have to be carried out in two stages. First, silicone tinted with pigment is applied in a thin layer to the surface of the mold, after which the tinted silicone mass is poured there.

Have you decided to paint the finished product? To do this, you will need to prepare a mixture of colorless silicone and silicone tinting paste. If necessary, the resulting composition can be slightly diluted with a solvent. The amount of the resulting mixture should be small, as it quickly loses its properties. After you have used up the received portion, you can start preparing a new one.

Necessary materials

Before you start painting, you need to stock up on the following tools and materials:

1. A set of “skins” of different grain sizes. When preparing the material, they can give the base the necessary smoothness and roughness.
2. Water and detergent (it is better to use neutral soap).
3. White spirit or any other plastic degreaser.
4. Painting tape (if you need to paint not the entire product, but only part of it).
5. Painting tool: spray gun, roller, brush or spray can.

Having prepared everything you need, you can start working.

Torpedo dismantling

Painting begins with dismantling the torpedo. If this procedure is being done for the first time, then it would be a good idea to first read the instruction manual for the specific model. This is necessary in order to find out the locations of fasteners, which in most cases are carefully masked. There were many cases when, due to one fastening, a torpedo was dismantled by force, resulting in irreparable damage.

When the location of the fasteners has been studied, the steering wheel and all switches on the panel are dismantled, if their design allows it. Next, the instrument panel is removed and disconnected from the wiring. After removing all the plugs hiding the panel fastenings, they are turned out and neatly folded with marks. When everything is ready, the torpedo is removed from the latches and removed from the cabin through the front passenger door.

When dismantling the panel, it is very important to mark the removed fasteners so that there are no unnecessary parts later. Some people practice taking step-by-step photographs of the dismantling process, so that in case of hiccups there are basic clues.

You need to be especially careful with the plugs and branded torpedo mounts, since if they are lost or damaged, they can be very difficult to get.

Characteristics of acrylic paint

The paint, which you can find on sale under the PaliPlast RP Base brand, is an acrylic composition that is water-based and is characterized by excellent decorative properties.
An aerosol can can be filled with it. If this application method is most suitable for you, then it is worth looking for it on sale. Features include weather resistance and stain resistance. If you create a topcoat using acrylic paint, the mixture forms a single whole with the substrate. It is perfect for those who want a foundation with a silky shine. The warranty period is 7 years; after this period, the surface may require updating.

Surface preparation

Before work, it is not enough just to select the colors of the basic contours and stencils. Care should be taken to properly prepare the bottles for spot painting, otherwise the efforts will not be successful.

1. The bottle is dipped in a warm soapy solution to make it easier to remove the paper labels. If the paper does not come off, use a dish brush.
2. The glass container is rinsed, left to dry, and wiped with a towel.
3. After the bottles are completely dry, degreasing begins. Use a cotton pad soaked in acetone to thoroughly wipe the work surface.
4. Fingerprints often remain during the drawing process, so it is recommended to keep a cotton swab with cologne or alcohol nearby.
5. You can apply patterns directly to the bottle, but sometimes patterns on a dark or light background look more expressive. To do this, the glass is first coated with a single-color layer of acrylic paint in white, black or blue.
6. The selected design is applied to the dried background with a pencil using a stencil or template. When it was not possible to immediately beautifully outline the outlines of the design, paint the bottle with the background again and try again.

To prevent trouble, you should apply a drop of paint to the unwanted glass to ensure the required consistency. If the paint seems liquid and spreads, just place the tube in the refrigerator for a while. A contour that is too thick leaves peaks stretched upward during the process; it is advisable to hold the tube in warm water for a little while.

What to look for when choosing

When deciding what type of dye to purchase, you need to carefully read the main characteristics of the composition indicated on the packaging:

1. Adhesion. Most dyes have good adhesion to the surface; they differ only in the degree of adhesive properties. When choosing, you need to take into account the composition and smoothness of the plastic object you plan to paint.
2. Base compatible. Enamel for plastic must be suitable in composition to the type of surface being painted or to the primer applied to it. Failure to follow this rule will result in the decorative layer quickly cracking or blistering.
3. Spreadability and hiding power. These parameters show how evenly and thickly the paint is applied to the material.
4. Water resistance. All acrylic paints and varnishes used for plastic surfaces are waterproof; after drying, the resulting film can be washed. But for products located in conditions of high humidity, additional additives, often polyurethane, are added to increase water resistance.
5. Aesthetics. Depending on the result you need to get, you can use plastic paint that gives a flat, smooth surface, or choose structural painting.
6. Consistency with the basis. The instructions always indicate what type of plastic can be painted with this product.