Painting on highlighter / marker plastic

CarlGo · Post by **CarlGo** » Tue Mar 08, 2016 8:42 am

Hi all,

Kind of a weird question but does anyone know what kind of plastic highlighters are made of, and what paint would apply well to that kind of material? I want to attempt a Springfield-class build and according to this article the nacelles were made from "Stabilo" highlighter markers.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Tue Mar 08, 2016 12:47 pm

The most common plastics are styrene, abs & acrylic for pens. All respond well to the usual run of paints. But, w/o having that particular pen I couldn't tell you exactly.

sbaxter · Post by **sbaxter** » Wed Mar 09, 2016 10:16 am

Considering the unknown composition of the plastic, it might be good to first coat it with some of the "Adhesion Promoter" sold with the spray paint at stores such as AutoZone or Pep Boys.

Qapla'

SSB

Lt. Z0mBe · Post by **Lt. Z0mBe** » Wed Mar 09, 2016 1:18 pm

sbaxter wrote:Considering the unknown composition of the plastic, it might be good to first coat it with some of the "Adhesion Promoter" sold with the spray paint at stores such as AutoZone or Pep Boys.

Qapla'

SSB

I've used a lot of pens and markers over the years. I would try sbaxter's approach (or use a "hot" automobile primer) and add two more quick steps prior to spraying: 1.) Lightly wet sand the piece with some 400- or 600-grit paper, and 2.) wash it with some dish soap and a toothbrush.

I hope this helps.

Kenny

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Wed Mar 09, 2016 1:41 pm

I'll typically test on an unseen area. If Tenax or ProWeld affect it, it's ABS or styrene. If CA grabs hold it's acrylic. If neither affect it go with a hot primer or adhesion promoter and hope.

sbaxter · Post by **sbaxter** » Thu Mar 10, 2016 7:28 am

Kylwell wrote:I'll typically test on an unseen area. If Tenax or ProWeld affect it, it's ABS or styrene. If CA grabs hold it's acrylic. If neither affect it go with a hot primer or adhesion promoter and hope.

That's a good idea. I don't yet have enough experience with adhesion promoter to say that if you use it on something like styrene (where it isn't necessary, of course), that it wouldn't make a less effective bond with paint than you'd get if you went without it.

Qapla'

SSB

srspicer · Post by **srspicer** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 3:44 pm

What I usually do is apply a good etch primer, automotive. Very light coats, you don''t want the primer to melt the plastic.

I would do the usual perp-work, strip the labels with coleman fuel, clean with soap & water & paper towel. Apply your primer next.

Images pls!