painting PVC?

[dcg9381]

Anyone painted PVC? I'm adding additional water collection and the PVC needs to match the structure. I'll probably have 150' of 4" PVC that is UV exposed.
What I'm reading online says epoxy paint is the best bet for PVC, but I'm up for suggestions.

 

[JRC3]

I paint it all the time with regular exterior house paint with a brush. I go back year after year and it holds up well. If it were new I'd sand or de-gloss it. I guess you could probably use some Krylon Fusion primer and then top with final colored paint.

 

[rlwhitetr3b]

I was going to ask the exact question! Thanks for saving me the effort.

I did find on line where someone suggested cleaning with acetone before painting.

I was going to start out like I wanted to paint my air lines to match the wall, just to tweak some people on here.

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, House paint has held up well on exposed PVC Conduit. You might want to let the PVC age a bit so the paint has a better surface to adhere to.

As previously suggested Acetone will de-gloss PVC for better adhesion.

 

[Sawdust_]

Krylon sell a plastic/PVC rattle can. Try that

 

[strutaeng]

I've painted some downspouts on my carport out of PVC and fittings. Scuff sand it with some 120#, prime with Bulleye 123 and paint with regular acrylic exterior paint...Works well.

Epoxy coatings hold up well to the elements, but will yellow and chalk with exposure to UV. I would not use epoxy for PVC.

 

[billspit]

I painted a PVC gable vent with Fusion Primer followed by Krylon or ?? Brand paint. It’s held up well for years now.

 

[johnnyradiant]

I was going to ask the exact question! Thanks for saving me the effort.

I did find on line where someone suggested cleaning with acetone before painting.

I was going to start out like I wanted to paint my air lines to match the wall, just to tweak some people on here.

I believe there is a special paint for airlines but it only comes in green.

 

[dcg9381]

Yea, the downside of epoxy is the chalking that occurs under UV. You can get some that are UV stabilized, but it all degrades.
I'll need about 150' of 4" PVC, so it's probably too big a job for rattle can..
I'd be willing to use exterior house paint, but I don't want to be repainting every year... Appreciate people indicating what has held up well for them.

 

[JRC3]

I'd be willing to use exterior house paint, but I don't want to be repainting every year...

Nah. On finer homes start looking up on the roofs and you see plenty of plumbing vents and PVC flues painted the same color as the house. That's regular old exterior house paint being blasted by the elements 24/7.

 

[rlitman]

Nah. On finer homes start looking up on the roofs and you see plenty of plumbing vents and PVC flues painted the same color as the house. That's regular old exterior house paint being blasted by the elements 24/7.

You'll also see tons of PVC / vinyl trim on those houses painted to match. PVC paints easily. Just find a primer that's made for it.

 

[dcg9381]

Thanks guys... sounds like I can get by with regular exterior enamel paint...

 

[Jon_E]

If you still want some extra insurance, use Sherwin-Williams Extreme Bond Primer. I use it at work to do just what you are trying to do - paint glossy or difficult-to-paint surfaces. You can use regular exterior paint over it.

 

[flan]

I used Sherwin Williams superpaint on all the azek trim on my house in Forrest green. Got it from the sherwin williams store by me. It’s held up great the west facing side is starting to show signs of fading but it’s 10 years old. Scuff it up with some sandpaper as previously mentioned.

 

[metlmunchr]

Good article on painting pvc from a manufacturer of pvc windows......

http://mgmindustries.com/mgm-blog/2011/06/17/how-to-paint-pvc-or-vinyl/

In a nutshell, he says to scuff with green Scotch brite rather than sandpaper (and tells you why). After scuffing, wipe down with acetone (and why that helps bonding)

He says an acrylic urethane will give the best bond to pvc.

My own experience is that Insl-X Stix primer is amazing in its ability to bond to slick surfaces. It is a waterborne acrylic urethane for interior or exterior use, and can be topcoated with whatever type of paint you prefer to use. Available from Benjamin Moore paint stores at $55 to $60 per gallon. This stuff will stick to glass or glazed ceramic tile like most primers will stick to sanded wood surfaces.

The above article also recommends specifically against the use of epoxy topcoats on pvc in exterior exposures due to UV degradation

 

[Shiftless]

I’ll add another vote for Stix primer from Benjamin Moore. It comes in quarts too.
I used it to paint melamine which is one of the most difficult to bond surfaces.
Fantastic adhesion.
Top coat with anything you want.