Best non-aerosol plastic paint

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ken harland

New member
Dec 30, 2005
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My question is twofold...

I removed the upper rear cabinets and wrap-around curtains yesterday and found that the plastic rear shell is discolored and ugly. It isn't damaged
anywhere but I have no doubt it's very brittle considering the age. Has anyone painted these things with a brush-on paint intended for plastics? I'd
expect that others have done their dash without removing it and I'd like to re-color it as well.

And while we are on the subject of interior re-finishing, is there a product that's suitable for painting over all that woodgrain Formica? I feel
like I've been transported back in time to the seventies every time I step foot inside our coach. I have all the upper cabinets out and the amount of
woodgrain Formica on them isn't all that much so it could be removed and recovered but then how would I match that to the rest of the interior?

Thanks.
--
1978 Eleganza II
 
I wonder if the yellowing issue is the same as old computers, etc (they
added bromine as a fire retardant). If so, I wonder if using hydrogen
peroxide gel + a UV light would restore it. I was going to try this on the
AC cover once the weather got warmer (and use the free UV outside). I've
heard people use this stuff because it's cheap and easy to get.

http://www.sallybeauty.com//creme-developer/SBS-760635,default,pd.html

--
Ethan James
Early 1976 Glenbrook 26'
Roanoke, VA

My question is twofold...

I removed the upper rear cabinets and wrap-around curtains yesterday and
found that the plastic rear shell is discolored and ugly. It isn't damaged
anywhere but I have no doubt it's very brittle considering the age. Has
anyone painted these things with a brush-on paint intended for plastics?
I'd
expect that others have done their dash without removing it and I'd like to
re-color it as well.

And while we are on the subject of interior re-finishing, is there a
product that's suitable for painting over all that woodgrain Formica? I
feel
like I've been transported back in time to the seventies every time I step
foot inside our coach. I have all the upper cabinets out and the amount of
woodgrain Formica on them isn't all that much so it could be removed and
recovered but then how would I match that to the rest of the interior?

Thanks.
--
1978 Eleganza II

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> ...the plastic rear shell is discolored and ugly. ...Has anyone painted these things with a brush-on paint intended for plastics? I'd expect
> that others have done their dash without removing it and I'd like to re-color it as well. ...
If you don't get any answers to that: It might be seem like more work, but I can't think of any reason you couldn't mask off everything with painter's
tape and newspaper and spray paint it.
--
73 23' Sequoia 4 Sale
73 23' CanyonLands Parts Unit 4 Sale
Upper Alabama
"When I grow up I am going to be a curmudgeon."
 
> > ...the plastic rear shell is discolored and ugly. ...Has anyone painted these things with a brush-on paint intended for plastics? I'd expect
> > that others have done their dash without removing it and I'd like to re-color it as well. ...
> If you don't get any answers to that: It might be seem like more work, but I can't think of any reason you couldn't mask off everything with
> painter's tape and newspaper and spray paint it.


If he can hold his breath for 10 minutes, that may work.
 
I always use a charcoal respirator when spraying paint.

No problem.

Dolph Santorine

DE AD0LF

Wheeling, West Virginia

1977 ex-Palm Beach TZE167V100820
1-ton, Sullybuilt Bags, Reaction Arms, 3.70 LSD, Manny Transmission, EV-6010,

>

>>> ...the plastic rear shell is discolored and ugly. ...Has anyone painted these things with a brush-on paint intended for plastics? I'd expect
>>> that others have done their dash without removing it and I'd like to re-color it as well. ...
>> If you don't get any answers to that: It might be seem like more work, but I can't think of any reason you couldn't mask off everything with
>> painter's tape and newspaper and spray paint it.
>
>
> If he can hold his breath for 10 minutes, that may work.
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
>>> ...the plastic rear shell is discolored and ugly. ...Has anyone painted these things with a brush-on paint intended for plastics? I'd expect
>>> that others have done their dash without removing it and I'd like to re-color it as well. ...
>> If you don't get any answers to that: It might be seem like more work, but I can't think of any reason you couldn't mask off everything with
>> painter's tape and newspaper and spray paint it.
>
> If he can hold his breath for 10 minutes, that may work.

Available at your local Auto Paint store for about this price. A good
thing to have around.
http://www.ntxtools.com/network-tool-warehouse/3M-7192.html?gclid=CjwKEAiAoOvEBRDD25uyu9Lg9ycSJAD0cnByo2Oyy0x5ibn0DLR3CoCKl5frG7dVzTe9BtSdxN6yWBoCXGLw_wcB

If you're not going to pull the panel down and paint outside I'd be
masking and spray painting, too. I pulled mine down and did some repair
work while I had it out. There is something to be said for doing it
right the first time...

Kelvin
'73 23' in Eugene, OR
 
This is an aside to your intention to change the appearance of the interior
of your coach. No disrespect intended here, but you need to think forward
to the day when you will transfer ownership of your coach to the next
curator of your rolling history museum. Please do no harm, and leave only
footprints. Painting with brush or roller on formica is akin to putting
lipstick on a pig. Under the cosmetics, ugly still exists. If you really
want to upgrade your countertops, and your sub structure is in good shape,
remove your sink and faucets, cook top, and anything else that penetrates
your countertops. Sand them thoroughly with 60 or 80 grit abrasives, clean
and degrease them, and apply new formica directly over the old material.
Use a lighter solid color without patterns. If you do a good job here, the
future owners of your coach will thank, not curse, you as the P.O. who
screwed up their coach with a paint brush or roller. My opinion only. May
not reflect the majority one.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403

> > > ...the plastic rear shell is discolored and ugly. ...Has anyone
> painted these things with a brush-on paint intended for plastics? I'd
> expect
> > > that others have done their dash without removing it and I'd like to
> re-color it as well. ...
> > If you don't get any answers to that: It might be seem like more work,
> but I can't think of any reason you couldn't mask off everything with
> > painter's tape and newspaper and spray paint it.
>
>
> If he can hold his breath for 10 minutes, that may work.
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
> > > ...the plastic rear shell is discolored and ugly. ...Has anyone painted these things with a brush-on paint intended for plastics? I'd
> > > expect that others have done their dash without removing it and I'd like to re-color it as well. ...
> > If you don't get any answers to that: It might be seem like more work, but I can't think of any reason you couldn't mask off everything with
> > painter's tape and newspaper and spray paint it.
>
>
> If he can hold his breath for 10 minutes, that may work.
I never considered doing it with the windows closed. Here where the weather is conducive to human habitation, we just catch a day when it is warm
enough to work with the windows open. Rarely have to wait more than a couple of days for that to happen, even in "winter". Today its supposed to be
mid to high 60s. There will be a dip tomorrow when the high won't hit 50, then back around 60 Friday, near 70 Saturday and Sunday.

What's the minimum temperature for rattle can paint for plastic?
--
73 23' Sequoia 4 Sale
73 23' CanyonLands Parts Unit 4 Sale
Upper Alabama
"When I grow up I am going to be a curmudgeon."
 
If, after thorough cleaning (cig tars, grease, and oil) your plastic is still yellow, it is probably UV damage. Here is a site with instructions for
removing the damage.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Restoring-yellowed-Stormtrooper-armor/
It is great for the AC cover and discolored window frames. It can be used for the front and rear caps and other plastic interior parts.

> My question is twofold...
>
> I removed the upper rear cabinets and wrap-around curtains yesterday and found that the plastic rear shell is discolored and ugly. It isn't
> damaged anywhere but I have no doubt it's very brittle considering the age. Has anyone painted these things with a brush-on paint intended for
> plastics? I'd expect that others have done their dash without removing it and I'd like to re-color it as well.
>
> And while we are on the subject of interior re-finishing, is there a product that's suitable for painting over all that woodgrain Formica? I feel
> like I've been transported back in time to the seventies every time I step foot inside our coach. I have all the upper cabinets out and the amount
> of woodgrain Formica on them isn't all that much so it could be removed and recovered but then how would I match that to the rest of the interior?
>
> Thanks.

--
Patti & Jerry Burt
73 Gmc 26' Canyon Lands -
Photos - http://jburt.smugmug.com/GMC-Motorhome
Lots of upgrades but lots to do to make it ours.
Members: FMCA - GMCMI - GMCWS - Pacific Cruisers - 49ers
 
> I removed the upper rear cabinets and wrap-around curtains yesterday and found that the plastic rear shell is discolored and ugly. It isn't
> damaged anywhere but I have no doubt it's very brittle considering the age. Has anyone painted these things with a brush-on paint intended for
> plastics? I'd expect that others have done their dash without removing it and I'd like to re-color it as well.

We did both our front and rear caps right after buying our coach 14 years ago. Rather than remove them, we painted them in place using and foam
brushes and Krylon Fusion plastic paint:

http://www.krylon.com/press-room/press-releases/2011/04/krylon-introduces-the-first-brush-on-paint-for-plastic/

The website says it was introduced in 2011, but I know they had a brush-on product back in 2003 since I still have the original can of paint (use it
for touch ups). It still looks great after all this time and has not discolored at all.

Spray painted our dash with SEM vinyl paint the following year prior to re-carpeting the entire coach. Had all the furniture out, plus the dash bezel
and steering wheel. Basically turned the cockpit into a paint booth, masking off the windows and dropping a plastic curtain across the steps.

I with Jim Hupy, though: don't paint the laminate.
--
Nick Chapekis
Ypsilanti, MI
78 Kingsley
 
Thanks for the replies.

I'll look for Fusion paint in brushable form for the rear shell. And since it's inside, I doubt the color change is from UV, more likely just age and
heat. If I find it brushes well enough, I'll probably do the dash in the same way.

I really couldn't conceive of painting Formica but I've seen so many pictures of interiors that are neutral colors and doubt every one was recovered
in new laminate so thought maybe there was a product I've never seen or heard of before although that's not likely as I still paint a bit, both cars
and boats and soon an RV as well. And I always wear a respirator although with some of the newer paints, I should be using an air supply.

An interesting aside here, I never realized the ceiling in the cockpit was also a plastic shell as our coach is completely carpeted. I doubt I could
manage to do that to the rear shell though, too many curves.
--
1978 Eleganza II
 
Maybe I'm confused but I painted my rear cap with normal household latex interior paint. It's not really plastic more like fiberboard.

I used a small foam roller and it looks great.

Unless you are talking about the plastic trim around the windows? Then yes they are brittle and yellow.

________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of Ken Harland
Sent: Wednesday, February 8, 2017 9:38:54 PM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Best non-aerosol plastic paint

Thanks for the replies.

I'll look for Fusion paint in brushable form for the rear shell. And since it's inside, I doubt the color change is from UV, more likely just age and
heat. If I find it brushes well enough, I'll probably do the dash in the same way.

I really couldn't conceive of painting Formica but I've seen so many pictures of interiors that are neutral colors and doubt every one was recovered
in new laminate so thought maybe there was a product I've never seen or heard of before although that's not likely as I still paint a bit, both cars
and boats and soon an RV as well. And I always wear a respirator although with some of the newer paints, I should be using an air supply.

An interesting aside here, I never realized the ceiling in the cockpit was also a plastic shell as our coach is completely carpeted. I doubt I could
manage to do that to the rear shell though, too many curves.
--
1978 Eleganza II

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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
> Maybe I'm confused but I painted my rear cap with normal household latex interior paint. It's not really plastic more like fiberboard.
>
> I used a small foam roller and it looks great.
>
> Unless you are talking about the plastic trim around the windows? Then yes they are brittle and yellow.

I'm pretty sure this is a molded shell, too complex of a shape to be fiberboard.

--
1978 Eleganza II
 
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