Evergreen styrene and Paint question

Did you wash off the sheet plastic before trying to paint it?  There may have been residue on the plastic that affected the paint adhesion.

You can get "plastic primer" at Lowes.  I learned the hard way that its a must when spraying!

I always prime any large pieces of evergreen styrene.  I use Rustoleum primer is all - either gray or brown, and it always works well.

I'm not a fan of water based paints (except as house paint) - never have done right by me, but they work alot better once styrene is primed. 

I don't prime small pieces, likea flagpole I might make or a small roof access hatch of a building, but then I paint them with oil-based paint which makes enough difference, I guess, that it works well enough.

ALWAYS SAND THE PLASTIC FOR GLUEING AND PAINTING-I ALWAYS USED FLO-QUIL PAINTS-EXPENSIVE BUT THE RESULTS ARE BTHE HEST-YOU SHOULD INVEST IN CHEAP BADGERS SPRAY GUN-MICHAELS ALWAYS HAS A DISCOUNT COUPON IN SUNDAYS PAPER

-PERFECT FOR PLASTIC STRUCTURES-I DO NOT USE WATER BASE PAINTS.JOE

I CUSTOM BUILT RR BUILDINGS USING EVERGREEN PLASTICS-NEVER USED PRIMER.

SANDING WITH FINE SANDPAPER IS A MUST AND WASHING PLASTIC BEFORE PAINTING A MUST.HAVE FUN

Everyone has a technique that works for them.

However, it's a must to wash any plastic before painting. I normally use regular Krylon or Rustoleum spray primers on plastic. Often my primer is the final color. Otherwise, I use flat spray colors usually with a primer as the undercoat. Also, the Camouflage spray paints work very well over plastic. As far as sanding plastic prior to painting, I only sand to clean up a joint or to smooth an edge. I've never found it necessary to sand for just painting.

Dennis Brennan

PS: I own an airbrush but don't use it. I get excellent results with spray cans.

Thanks for all the helpful tips. I had already painted the plastic but the next time I will incorporate the tips first. Thanks Paul

Buy a can of Dupli-color Primer sealer in gray. It will hold up to any paint you apply, a can lasts a long time, easy coverage. I am a plastic model builder as much as a RR and I use it all the time. I use it on injection kits or plastic stock like Evergreen and Plastruct.

The key points here are Plastic and Water-based paints. The plastic is too smooth for water-based paints to grab, it's the same as pouring water on the plastic, it will bead up. Enamel paint is hot and will melt itself into the plastic somewhat.

It doesn't matter what primer you use, or if you wash the plastic, water-based paint needs something to grab a hold of, bare plastic won't do it.

Lightly scrub it with Ajax or Comet cleanser using a toothbrush. That removes the mold release and gives the surface some tooth for the paint to adhere. Next wash with a drop of dish-washing detergent to prevent water spots, they sometimes can bleed through the paint, then rinse thoroughly. If you are using acrylic paint, thin with distilled water and alcohol.and spray it with an inexpensive external mix airbrush