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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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How to paint Polypropylene
Q. Can anyone help me on the optimal method to paint PP. Is it the best plastic substrate to paint?
Rui Luís- Lisbon, Portugal
2002
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A. PP is one of the plastics that are difficult to coat. The problem is bad adhesion due to high surface tension in combination with the evaporation of parafin. We have had some cases where we achieved good results by installing good preparation of the surface (pretreatment) together with using the right primer. In order to help you more specific I need more details. Good Luck,  Remmelt Bosklopper - Enschede, The Netherlands 2002 A. Coating polypropylene isn't all that difficult. Part needs to be cleaned. Can use acetone ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] Warning! highly Flammable! , Xylene ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] or other type plastic cleaner. Many parts are primed with a solvent based primer and then top coated with waterborne acrylics. There are some decent water acrylics that may be used as primer / top coat system. Most systems do have low temperature force dry (140 °F @ 20 minutes). Good luck, Gordon Vidt- Newark, Ohio 2002 2002 A. Hi Rui, Oh dear ...please have a look in the archives at #3205, #7673, #14173 , Also #10814, 10626 and 6528. .Both Pe and PP are very similar when it comes to painting and the el-importante BONDING. Maybe some of those answers might help you, I hope.  Freeman Newton [deceased] (It is our sad duty to advise that Freeman passed away April 21, 2012. R.I.P. old friend). |
Q. I think we are using the right painting system.The major problem is the PP piece deformation on the flaming process. Can you help me on this subject and send me some literature, if you don't mind?
Regards,
Rui Luís [returning]- Lisbon, Portugal
2002
A. Rui Luis,
When you flaming PP the red end off the flame must touch the product. The speed off the burner must be fast. There are special test sets with inks so you can see if what you did with the burner ok is. For good adhesion you must have more than 38 Nm/m on the square surface.
Jan Rijn- GOES, THE NETHERLANDS
2002
Q. How fast the speed of the burner must be? Is the percentage of helium so important on the flame?
Rui Luís [returning]- Lisbon, Portugal
2002
A. Rui Luis,
The speed off the burner is plus/minus the same speed when you coat with a spray gun. Use the test inks for control the surface. I have used Propane Gas in bottles in combination with a hand burner. By using the robot it was natural gas.
Jan Rijn- Goes, The Netherlands
2003
A. While Flaming, Red Flame should be curtailed and only blue flame should be used to pre-treat the plastic surface to avoid carbon deposition due to red flame.
R.RameshSundaram auto components Ltd. - Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
2007
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