I have a pair of 4" PVC pipes in the corner of my garage. One for the dryer and one for waste water. Has anyone painted PVC or somehow used exposed pipes as a canvas rather than try to hide them? I was thinking painting them bright red or bright green and adding nuclear symbols on them to make them more interesting than plain old white PVC.
Paint PVC pipes to make them interesting?
- Thread starter dwljpl
- Start date
gregtwojeeps
Well-known member
Just scuff them with some 220 grit or a green scratch pad and paint them with latex paint.
countryroad82
Well-known member
I've seen them painted like water towers and trees for model railroads. Then I've seen them painted to look like steel for an industrial look. You're only limited to your imagination.
gregtwojeeps
Well-known member
O.K. I see. Once you do a internet search and find the stencils you like for your art, or maybe go big guns and buy an air brush set and learn to do air brushing ....there is a lot you can do for art work. Now my concern would be before the art work is done, is using a PVC pipe for a dryer vent. Good luck on your project 
O.K. I see. Once you do a internet search and find the stencils you like for your art, or maybe go big guns and buy an air brush set and learn to do air brushing ....there is a lot you can do for art work. Now my concern would be before the art work is done, is using a PVC pipe for a dryer vent. Good luck on your project
While I would not use PVC for a dryer vent, I would not lose any sleep over it's use, the temperature of the exhaust air from the dryer is well under the maximum temperature the pipe can withstand. Just for the record, galvy sheet metal duct is preferred by me.
coljar
Well-known member
If they're PVC and they're in the garage, the only proper thing to do is paint them blue and stencil "AIR" on them.
Richard Cranium
Well-known member
I have seen retail stores use pvc pipe to hide the chains that hold signs off the ceiling. They had just sanded the lettering off so that they looked like white pipes. But I think painting them is a good ideal. I also have some in my train layout that is painted.
gregtwojeeps
Well-known member
To expand some more on your post above... anytime I read where someone has mentioned something in their project that could be a hazard... and for sure one that can become a FIRE hazard, I feel I have the responsibility of mentioning it. Just as you do over on the L/E forum...
As to not derail the OP's topic though, while listing the negatives of using PVC pipe on dryer ducts here... it would probably be best for the OP to just do an internet search and see for himself about why PVC should not be used for dryer venting, if he chooses to do so..
Plenty of info on this topic out on the WEB including the DIY Chatroom forum and You tube videos. Including the building codes standards listed in IRC M1502 -4 which does not include PVC as a suitable dryer duct. He just needs to type in his browser, " PVC pipe for dryer vent" JMO
How about some nonpotable water signs for waste water ?
The reason for not using PVC for the dryer duct is that dryer fires happen. While it may be ok for normal average dryer temps, if there is a dryer fire, the PVC will not contain it. That's why most will recommend metal duct for the dryer.
The reason for not using PVC for the dryer duct is that dryer fires happen. While it may be ok for normal average dryer temps, if there is a dryer fire, the PVC will not contain it. That's why most will recommend metal duct for the dryer.
rkevins
Well-known member
I have painted them with spray paint, I think I used regular krylon, painted the dryer vent for house and in a office I worked at I painted a 4" piece od DWV and made a fake pole for computer wire to run through
Fusion spray paint for plastic comes in some wild colors.
Proper prep per instructions with ammonia solution before painting and the paint lasts a long time.
I've used it on plastic gutters and even changed the color on an entire vinyl sided 12 x 16 shed.
Proper prep per instructions with ammonia solution before painting and the paint lasts a long time.
I've used it on plastic gutters and even changed the color on an entire vinyl sided 12 x 16 shed.
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dfiler2
Well-known member
Seems to me PVC would be better than that plastic with the spring in it that I've seen installed many times, though maybe that is not approved, I always assumed it was.
Dryer vent was installed as part of the house build from new. Electric dryer, and I stay on top of scrubbing out the vent with a wire dryer vent brush. Can't believe they'd use this and not flag it during inspection.
Just because something passed inspection does not mean that everything is OK, inspectors are human & they do miss things, some are stupid too.
If the building dept had separate inspectors for building,electrical,mechanical, plumbing, a inspection is likely to be more through, then when a combination inspector who wears all those hats does the inspections.dreamingmuscle
Well-known member
Ditto. Also PVC generates a lot of static electricity when used as dryer vent. Greatly increasng the rate of lent build up in the system.
shortykorte
Well-known member
Please post pictures of what you end up doing to your two pipes.
Side note: in N. Fla, PVC for dryer is used on most if not all homes.
Side note: in N. Fla, PVC for dryer is used on most if not all homes.
MikeF2316
Well-known member
egnorant
Well-known member
I would tend towards silly stuff. "Non-tactical air only" , "Do Not Open Until 2075", "This side up" (pointing down of course!).
Maybe put a Russian space program logo and a scary looking warning in Russian or Vent access on sub-basement 3 only!
Bruce
Maybe put a Russian space program logo and a scary looking warning in Russian or Vent access on sub-basement 3 only!
Bruce
CJ7VFR
Well-known member
I used a few short pieces of PVC pipe, that fit inside my patio umbrella stands to raise the umbrella's up a few inches so I don't hit my head on the umbrella's, and I used the Fusion Gloss Black spray paint on the PVC and it worked out great.
I scuffed the surface of the PVC pipe with a Scotchbrite pad, wiped it off, and then painted them.
It has lasted over 2 years now and still looks great and matches the black umbrella stands perfectly. No one even notices that it's PVC pipe in there!
Jim
Not sure how old you are, but painting them like the Mario Bros pipe would be kind of neat. You'd have to paint them in the "8 bit" style like this guy did to get the true effect...
http://8bitgallery.deviantart.com/art/Super-Mario-Bros-Pipe-96971843
http://8bitgallery.deviantart.com/art/Super-Mario-Bros-Pipe-96971843
rayra
Well-known member
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
Stencil, "CAUTION: Ultra High Pressure Air Line" on them and watch GJ'er cr@p themselves when you post the photos!
countryroad82
Well-known member
Rayra I like how ou think! I've often threatened to make one of the dull boring walls in my office at work into an ecto containment unit.