Dyeing Plastic?

[Juneaudave]

Does anyone have experience dyeing plastic? My Fantastic vent has the grey trim. It seems like a nice, neat installation, but the grey is sorta "stark" compared to the wood and sandstone colored fabric in the interior. Can that hard plastic be dyed? If so...what might I expect as to results. I've heard of car vinyl being dyed but haven't ever tried it.

[bobhenry]

Half of the cars on the road have plastic noses , tails and various other parts . There are several canned spray paints now that are formulated for vinyl. You can simulate wood grain if you want by using from a very light tan to a carmel brown spray and after it's dry use a dark brown oil base wood stain or glaze and a graining tool. You wil be absolutely amazed. I have used a light gray and a black glaze and the result is instant weathered wood.

FYI most shoe dye is formulated for leather and vinyl as well.

You can always test drive on the back side of the trim ring
to experiment

[Steve Frederick]

Get some plastic primer, Rustoleum make some, then paint as you like.

I do it on everything plastic on all of my projects..

[goldcoop]

Dave-

Krylon and others make paint specifically for plastic:

http://tinyurl.com/2suzg

Check big box stores...

Cheers,

Coop

[asianflava]

The Krylon Fusion paints are made for plastics. I've seen them at all the big box stores.

[Juneaudave]

Thanks everyone..this is new territory for me. Sounds like I might be able to better match the plastic, and a well chosen rattle can is the way to go!! Man...there sure are a lot of little details to fuss with on these trailers!!! On to ripping my cabinet face frames...it's really a nice day here in Juneau and I can work outside!!!

[madjack]

The Krylon Fusion paints are made for plastics. I've seen them at all the big box stores.

I have used the Fusion on several projects...including a Fantastic and am very satisfied with the results...

[starleen2]

Agree with Madjack.
We have used Krylon Fusion paints on many of plastic parts. For new plastics (or for all plastics) give it a good wipe down with solvent to clear away any release agent used in the plastic forming process. It is a sure guard against the occasional fisheye spots. Krylon Fusion, especially on new plastics is very chip resistant after 24 hours of curing

[Miriam C.]

I used fusion to color the elec. boxes red from the standard smurf blue. Just do light coats and come back for missed areas. It will run and drip for a while. OH and use gloves.

[tonyj]

I used the Krylon gray metallic paint for plastic on my rooftop air cover, porch lights, and fantastic vent base and trim. No problems and it has adhered very well for over a year.

[Sonetpro]

I didn't like the one that came with my vent so I made my own.

[Juneaudave]

I didn't like the one that came with my vent so I made my own.

Veeery nice...humm...

[Sonetpro]

I didn't like the one that came with my vent so I made my own.

Veeery nice...humm...

I just used some oak corner moulding and framed it up using a picture frame strap clamp.
The wires are for my home made computer fan vent fan.