Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

by **planovet** » Mon May 11, 2009 2:45 pm

I have this power inlet. As you can see, it is white. My tear is red. My roof is white so it won't clash too bad but my question is this:

Had anyone ever painted their power inlet to match the side color of their tear? It's plastic so I don't know how well the paint would adhere.

Thanks

by **stomperxj** » Mon May 11, 2009 3:53 pm

You might try Krylon Fusion. Its made for plastic... I would bet you could match your red pretty easy...

by **caseydog** » Mon May 11, 2009 3:56 pm

Kylon Fusion is good on hard plastic, but that power inlet is probably too flexible to hold paint.

I wouldn't try it. White should look okay on your TD. I think paint will just flake off as you use the inlet, and look really bad.

CD

by **madjack** » Mon May 11, 2009 3:57 pm

Mark, Kylon makes a paint(rattle can) called Fusion which is made specifically for plastics...if you can find a good stock of it in a store, there should be a red available...I have used it on many projects and it works very well...your other option is to go to an auto paint supply house and ask for "Bulldog", it is a paint adhesion promoter made specifically for plastics...I believe it is available in a rattle can as well...spray your outlet with Bulldog and then you can paint it with the same paint you used on your sides for a perfect match......
madjack

p.s. as far as the flexible part goes, either paint it hope for the best or paint the outlet and leave the flexipart white for a nice white/red/white contrast......MJ

by **caseydog** » Mon May 11, 2009 4:01 pm

MJ, I have that same inlet, and the cap is pretty flexible. Do you think Fusion will adhere?

I have a can of red Fusion in my garage. I suppose I could test it on a similar flexible plastic. :thinking:

CD

by **caseydog** » Mon May 11, 2009 4:03 pm

BTW, Mark, Marinco makes that inlet in Black. I just ordered one for my new TD from Amazon.com for $19.95.

I had the black one on my LG, too, IIRC. It is exactly the same as the white one, but all black.

CD

by **madjack** » Mon May 11, 2009 4:09 pm

caseydog wrote:MJ, I have that same inlet, and the cap is pretty flexible. Do you think Fusion will adhere?

I have a can of red Fusion in my garage. I suppose I could test it on a similar flexible plastic.

CD

I have absolutely no idea but it does stick/flex pretty darn good...give it a try and let us know, since that would be good to know...
madjack

by **planovet** » Mon May 11, 2009 4:34 pm

I saw the black one but I figured white would be better on mine since nothing else on my tear is black (except the tires). And the felxible part what what I was afraid of also. I didn't want to paint it and then have it flake off and have to replace it. I may just keep it white.

by **Wimperdink** » Mon May 11, 2009 8:36 pm

I have the black version of that and I'd be afraid to paint it. You might get away with scuffing and painting the housing, but I'm going to doubt sincerly that the plug that covers the hole when not in use will hold paint. Its about the same consistancy as a thin rubber hose.

by **kennyrayandersen** » Mon May 11, 2009 11:43 pm

I’ve not had much luck making glue or paint stick to plastics. Who knows what’s available these days. Some paint is pretty flexible, so I’m not sure whether it’s a flexibility issue, or whether there is an inability to form a bond between the plastic and paint. I suspect that it really depends on THE plastic. There are plastics that can be chromed and I’ve seen certain plastics painted. I’m not sure that means ALL plastics can be painted. I’ve had the worst luck with polypropylenes, Teflons, etc. If they are really slick to begin with, I have doubts that the paint will stick long-term. If the plastic is hard and not slick like PVC or something, it should paint OK… I’m thinking

by **starleen2** » Tue May 12, 2009 7:55 am

If your really worried about the looks - why not go underneath and come up through the floor? - You wouldn't have anything showing on the exterior walls and no chance of leaks either :roll:

by **Juneaudave** » Tue May 12, 2009 8:00 am

starleen2 wrote:If your really worried about the looks - why not go underneath and come up through the floor? - You wouldn't have anything showing on the exterior walls and no chance of leaks either

Dohhh