I'm wanting to paint a couple plastic tanks, and was wondering if Rustoleum paint would stick on the plastic if I use 600 grit sandpaper? I know that there is Special paint for plastic made by Krylon but I'm wanting to find something in a quart can. Thanks all.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Painting a plastic tank
- Thread starter zcbauer89
- Start date
djjsr
Well-known member
Do you know what kind of plastic it is?
nehog
Well-known member
The type of plastic is important, but most 'tanks' are of a type of plastic used in most plastic tanks won't take paint well. I think you are looking at a try it and see what happens case.
Try searching at your local aoutbody/paint supply store. I know SEM makes makes a plastic prep for their paint but I believe that is spray can only.
After further checking it is available in Qt and Gal cans.
http://www.semproducts.com/product-catalog/prep-products/plastic-and-leather-prep/
After further checking it is available in Qt and Gal cans.
http://www.semproducts.com/product-catalog/prep-products/plastic-and-leather-prep/
Thanks everyone for the help. The type of plastic is polyethylene, which I gather is pretty hard to paint. Again thanks all for the help so far! Also, would that sem product go on with a roller? Or is it strictly to be used with a gun? I'm pretty sure summit carries sem products.
Last edited:
djjsr
Well-known member
I will be very surprised if you can get paint to stick to polyethylene. I suggest that you mask off a small test area to paint in case it doesn't bond.
rob in nh
Well-known member
sem makes a plastic adhesion promoter in a spray bomb, it works well. i use it on unprimed bumper covers. clean and sand it and it should work for you.
R-132 Fan
Well-known member
Check with a paint store for primer. I installed a rainwater collection system on my house and wanted to paint the PVC pipe and fittings. My local Kelly Moore paint store sold me some Zinszler brand primer that has worked well over the years. I asked the clerk if I needed to use the special plastic spray paint and he said with the right primer you can paint pretty much any plastic.
Polyethylene won't be easy to paint, but I would clean it well first with something like Simple Green to remove any left over mold release off of the surface before priming it.
Polyethylene won't be easy to paint, but I would clean it well first with something like Simple Green to remove any left over mold release off of the surface before priming it.
Pat Brady
Banned
Primer and Rustoleum should stick to PVC. Or a plastic bumper or grill of a car. I have done that before with no problems. But something thinner that moves by expansion and contraction will be harder to get something to stick to.
Burgerkong
Well-known member
Try and get some vinyl dye, that stuff gets absorbed and dyes the plastic.