Hey Guys,

I have been using SEM color coat since 1993 and lover the product. I usually can re-color plastic with no major issues but ran into a problem.

The large sail panel plastic appears to be a different kind of plastic that pieces like the sill plates and even the kickpanels. It's feels kind of slick.

I scrubbed these pieces down, went over them with fine steel wool, used a plastic prep to clean, and then sprayed a SEM plastic product that is supposed to open the pores of the plastic to allow the color to bond. Weather was about 64 degrees.

I re-colored the panels and they look good....but you can scratch the color off with a fingernail.....which ISN"T supposed to happen.

I think there is something to do with the type of plastic material the sail panel are made of I'm spraying on. Anybody know what it is?

I just did the sill plates a few days ago and they are perfect and the paint is holding good....but it's obvious they aren't made of the same material.

Any ideas?

 

You might have to buy like some bulldog plastic adhesion promoter. Spray it on and let it sit for an hour, but make sure you do your sanding first and apply the promoter and then shoot the color on it.

 

Thanks, I figured out the material...I think this is it

PP Polypropylene The same kind of plastic used for containers used for gasoline, pool acids & bleach. High VOC has no effect of the item. Primers are always required.

You can get that adhesion promoter from the parts stores correct? What about a primer? Not sure what kind would work.

 

Yes you can get adhesion promotors at any local car place, and an automotive primer wouldn't hurt, I know there is a special plastic primer I've tried before, but using regular primer yeilded the same results for me.

 

Yea if you are not going to go and buy primer from an actual paint store and you wanna grab some at the auto parts store thats fine. i would recommend self etching primer. It works very well

 

Thanks! I have some duplicolor self etching primer in my shop, I may try a little of that on a scrap piece and see how that works.

 

Yea I was coin to suggest that, but I didn't know if that was a bit over the top. Not to mention the price can vary so much, I bought a can at car quest and it was like $20, then found one at napa for $5 or $6. Basically they all do the same job so don't pay a fortune.

 

Well i wouldn't take it as far as they all do the same job. But I'm not gonna argue the fact... So buddy try it out and let us know what happens.. make sure ya clean it good...

 

There is a test that SEM asks you to do before working with the plastic to determine which of 2 types it is... Not sure if it's lacquer thinner or acetone, but if it turns white and smears, its one kind and if not, it's the other... (not sure if that is the exact results)... But depending on which you have, they recommend different products for each... Check their web site...

Raf

 

Thanks guys, I went to the parts store and bought a can of Bully adhesion promoter.....sprayed it on a old panel before spraying the sem color coat and it worked

I only sprayed it a few hours ago and I can't scratch it off with my fingernail right now.

So if anyone is wanting to re-spray their rear plastics this what you need.

 

I thought washing them thoroughly with soap and water,and then wiping them down with a clean lint-free rag soaked with acetone was good enough?

 

Not on the rear plastics, you can tell it's something different. The color never really fused like it should until I sprayed the bulldog stuff on it.

The plastic does feel like a Clorox bottle.

 

where did you buy the bulldog ?

 

O'reilliy auto parts, it was about $17 a can. Here is a picture, the can is a little different than mine....same stuff.

 

I figured that this was what you needed. I have used it quite a few times myself plus we use it here at the shop.