Paint stripping plastics (and more!)

[Macavity]

Continuing our mini-series on (rather off topic!) "How to do it"... ?
Just wondering if anyone has stripped down and repainted a typical
*outside* Gas/Electricity meter cupboard. Mine is very "Flakey" (sic)!

I have a feeling that my favourite *Nitromors* might just dissolve
the (sadly unspecified!) plastic. At a first guess it's probably PVC? ?  
Obviously a TEST will reveal the obvious truth! But in the interim? 

Jute reminded myself of a whole lot of external PIPES that would
benefit from a lick o' paint too. Assume they are also of similar ilk!
Wisdom seems to suggest NOT destroying the surface of plastic
with wire brushes... painting with GLOSS without the undercoat? ?

To make this vaguely ASTRO related, I just mention spending a few
HOURS in the sink with Nitromors stripper on a Skywatcher OTA!
The paint part comes away rather easily... the "sparkles" less so...
You have been warned! ?

[johninderby]

Did mine over two years ago. Sanded off any loose bits and then wiped down with acetone and painted with just an outdoor satin acrylic paint. Holding up really well. 

Mine was a white plastic of some type. 

      John

[Davey-T]

No idea what the meter cupboard is made off, who painted it to start with ? it would most likely been self coloured originally.

I'd bang over it with an electric orbital sander.

Solvent welded external plastic plumbing will be ABS, plastic push fit plumbing may be different type as it's not melted by solvent glue.

Just give it a clean with soapy water, if using solvent use panel wipe from motor finish suppliers so it wont melt the plastic, then paint with some specialist paint that will stick to plastic.

Don't fall off the ladder 

Dave

 

 

[Macavity]

47 minutes ago, johninderby said:

Did mine over two years ago. Sanded off any loose bits and then wiped down with acetone and painted with
just an outdoor satin acrylic paint. Holding up really well. Mine was a white plastic of some type. 

Really impressed... The local "traditional" colour too! Always like Acetone and similar...  
A safer bet. Chlorinated solvents (Nitromors) tend to dissolve pretty much anything! lol ?

Thanks Folks! ?

[johninderby]

The paint colour was Truffle.............that’s brown to me and you. ?

[Hallingskies]

Most outdoor boxes are fibre glass and I wouldn’t recommend using any solvent on them - partly because there’s a risk of tacking up the resin and partly because solvent vapour and electricity isn’t a good mix! 

A gentle rub down and a coat with any exterior water-based paint should work fine.

[Macavity]

11 minutes ago, Hallingskies said:

Most outdoor boxes are fibre glass...

A good point re. the fibre glass loaded stuff (I noted that from elsewhere!).
These doors seem to be rather simpler things with no obvious information.
I like they way Astronomers cover most of these issues quickly / concisely! ?

[emadmoussa]

I just it sanded down, sprayed it with a primer and then applied a couple of coats of white paint. It was wonderful and last for two weeks!