Will paint protect plastic from UV degradation?
#1
02-25-17, 09:52 AM
Will paint protect plastic from UV degradation?
I've got a clothes drying stand which I always keep in the sun. How do I protect its plastic parts from UV degradation?
If paint helps then what color or type of paint should I use?
If paint helps then what color or type of paint should I use?
#2
02-25-17, 10:40 AM
Many plastic products meant to be kept outdoors are manufactured with anti-UV chemicals and/or stabilizers to mitigate UV degradation so it's possible your anticipated problem may not be significant. There are, however, spray paints claiming UV protection but I can't tell if any one is superior.
#3
02-25-17, 10:59 AM
Exterior doors with glass often have 'plastic' mullions. If left unpainted they yellow but if painted along with the rest of the door, the color will stay the same. It will fade/degrade over time but part of that depends on the quality of the coating used. The plastic used on your stand is probably a little different and may not take paint as readily although cleaning it well [rinse off cleaner residue] and using a plastic compatible paint should do ok. I don't have a lot of experience with the plastic spray paints 
#4
02-25-17, 11:53 PM
Super Moderator
Don't know what you may have over there, but here goes.
I have used both the Krylon Fusion for plastic and the Rustoleum Specialty for Plastic. Krylon really worked great and was fast drying. The Rustoleum took longer to dry, but also worked ok.
Both of those are getting harder to find. I used the Rustoleum 2X most recently because it said it bonded to plastic (which had to be very lightly sanded), but it takes 7 days for max cure. Kind of a pain. Seems to stick ok, but the recoat and cure times are long compared to the special plastic paints.
If you can find it nearby, the Fusion is the way to go, though you still have to let it fully cure, but it's just a few days I think. IIRC there was no sanding involved even on slick plastics like butter tubs or sour cream containers. I just used 95% isopropyl alcohol and wiped them down and sprayed. Think they say to use paint thinner, but I had no issues. As with any paint, 2 or 3 light coats is best.
Lighter colors will normally resist breakdown better.
I have used both the Krylon Fusion for plastic and the Rustoleum Specialty for Plastic. Krylon really worked great and was fast drying. The Rustoleum took longer to dry, but also worked ok.
Both of those are getting harder to find. I used the Rustoleum 2X most recently because it said it bonded to plastic (which had to be very lightly sanded), but it takes 7 days for max cure. Kind of a pain. Seems to stick ok, but the recoat and cure times are long compared to the special plastic paints.
If you can find it nearby, the Fusion is the way to go, though you still have to let it fully cure, but it's just a few days I think. IIRC there was no sanding involved even on slick plastics like butter tubs or sour cream containers. I just used 95% isopropyl alcohol and wiped them down and sprayed. Think they say to use paint thinner, but I had no issues. As with any paint, 2 or 3 light coats is best.
Lighter colors will normally resist breakdown better.
