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Painting Plexiglass
- Thread starter Dave12
- Start date
The top of my -6 canopy has been painted for nearly 18 years. When I painted it I tried numerous primers. None of them worked to my satisfaction.
I finally ended up scuffing the plexiglas and painting directly with "JetGlo" urethane (no primer). It has held up beautifully.
I finally ended up scuffing the plexiglas and painting directly with "JetGlo" urethane (no primer). It has held up beautifully.
Another option...
For those who have not done the FG layups yet there is another option. You can stain the fiberglass resin black and then you would not have to paint the inside of the plexiglass. I was looking for ways to simply my work, especially painting prep, masking and painting. It will look kinda like the black surrounds on your late model car windows, like this:
[url=http://tonytessitore.smugmug.com/RV-12-Project-N577RV/Finish-Kit/9229733_jnRJi#705300454_LjCav-A-LB]
[/URL]
The black layups will get thin near the edge when you are sanding it down to the electrical tape, but the final exterior paint will block light shining through and it will look black.
I found the black resin dye in a 3 oz. tube at Ace hardware for a few bucks.
West Systems only had gray and white dye. I hope my canopy doesn't come apart in a couple of years
.
Tony
For those who have not done the FG layups yet there is another option. You can stain the fiberglass resin black and then you would not have to paint the inside of the plexiglass. I was looking for ways to simply my work, especially painting prep, masking and painting. It will look kinda like the black surrounds on your late model car windows, like this:
[url=http://tonytessitore.smugmug.com/RV-12-Project-N577RV/Finish-Kit/9229733_jnRJi#705300454_LjCav-A-LB]
[/URL]The black layups will get thin near the edge when you are sanding it down to the electrical tape, but the final exterior paint will block light shining through and it will look black.
I found the black resin dye in a 3 oz. tube at Ace hardware for a few bucks.
West Systems only had gray and white dye. I hope my canopy doesn't come apart in a couple of years
.Tony
flyboy1963
Well Known Member
be aware of colours
If you paint it black, light no longer passes thru, thus the plexi must ABSORB all the light energy.... this will heat it and cause local expansion....vs very little on the clear area adjacent, introducing stress. No problem if your holes and edges are smoothed perfectly, but how do you know?
.......just a cautionary note.
if you paint the inside, the colour will be different due to the tint of the plexi, and the reflected light off the surface.
If you can match your paint colour, you could apply vinyl graphic sheeting to the area instead. (Not likely as permanent...a pro & con!)
I'd steer away from chemical bonding agents, when mechanical abrasion is possible/preferable.
Google the tech data for painting plexiglass, and you'll see some good recommendations.
If you paint it black, light no longer passes thru, thus the plexi must ABSORB all the light energy.... this will heat it and cause local expansion....vs very little on the clear area adjacent, introducing stress. No problem if your holes and edges are smoothed perfectly, but how do you know?
.......just a cautionary note.
if you paint the inside, the colour will be different due to the tint of the plexi, and the reflected light off the surface.
If you can match your paint colour, you could apply vinyl graphic sheeting to the area instead. (Not likely as permanent...a pro & con!)
I'd steer away from chemical bonding agents, when mechanical abrasion is possible/preferable.
Google the tech data for painting plexiglass, and you'll see some good recommendations.
