Why painting plastic in a salon is not as easy as it seems
Over time, plastic elements in the car interior become dull, scratched, or simply no longer harmonize with the new interior. It seems that it is enough to buy a can of paint and spray it on the panels - but in practice, 80% of unsuccessful attempts are associated with ignoring chemical properties of plastic and improper surface preparation. The fact is that automotive plastic often contains plasticizers and additives that prevent paint adhesion (adhesion). Without special treatment, the new layer will simply peel off in a couple of weeks.
Another pitfall is choosing the wrong materials. Paint for metal or wood is not suitable: it will either crack from temperature changes or will wear off with every touch. In this article we will look at step-by-step technology Taking into account the type of plastic, we will select the right consumables and show you how to avoid common mistakes that spoil the result. And at the end - answers to the questions that are most often asked after unsuccessful painting experiments.
What types of plastic are used in the car interior and how to distinguish them
There are three main types of plastic used in modern car interiors, and each requires its own approach to painting:
- 🔹 ABS plastic - hard, impact resistant, often used for center console and door cards. It lends itself well to painting, but requires priming.
- 🔹 Polypropylene (PP) - soft, elastic, found in the trim of pillars and the lower parts of the panel. Paint sticks to it the worst without special preparation.
- 🔹 Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) - used for decorative inserts and handles. May contain plasticizers that "repel" paint.
How to determine the type of plastic in your car? The most reliable way is to look at the markings on the back of the part (if it is removable). If there is no marking, test:
- Set fire to a small piece of plastic (for example, a scrap from a renovation project). ABS burns with a yellow flame with black smoke and the smell of styrene, polypropylene burns with a blue flame with almost no smoke.
- Try scratching it with your fingernail: polypropylene leaves a white mark, ABS does not.
For polypropylene, it is necessary to use an adhesive primer (for example, Plasti Dip or AP Primer), otherwise the paint will come off when the interior is heated for the first time in the summer. ABS and PVC can be painted with standard acrylic compounds, but with preliminary degreasing.
Materials and tools: what to buy and what not to save on
The list of what you need depends on the amount of work, but here is a basic set for high-quality painting:
| Category | Material/tool | Example (brand) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degreaser | Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) | Liqui Moly Kunststoff-Reiniger | Do not use acetone - it corrodes plastic! |
| Primer | Adhesive primer for plastic | AP Primer, Plasti Dip | Mandatory for polypropylene |
| Paint | Acrylic paint for plastic | Motip, Dupli-Color | Choose one marked "for salon" |
| Varnish | Matte or glossy (optional) | 2K Clear Coat | Protects against abrasion |
| Tools | Sandpaper (400-800 grit), masking tape, brushes/spray gun | 3M, Scotch | For small parts a spray can is enough |
Where you shouldn't save:
- 💰 Primer - a cheap one may curl up or not provide traction.
- 💰 Paint - low-quality pigments fade within a year.
- 💰 Varnish - a thin layer will quickly crack from the sun.
If you paint parts that you often touch with your hands (handles, buttons), add 10% to the varnish anti-slip agent (for example, Grip Additive) - this will prevent slipperiness.
Step-by-step instructions: from preparation to finishing coat
The whole process can be divided into 5 stages. Skipping any of them is guaranteed to ruin the result.
1. Dismantling and cleaning parts
Remove the plastic elements from the interior (as a rule, they are attached with latches or bolts). If the part is not removable, cover the surrounding surfaces with masking tape and film. Clean the plastic from dirt and grease:
- 🧽 Wash with warm water and car shampoo (for example, Karcher).
- 🧴Process degreaser (isopropyl alcohol) twice with an interval of 5 minutes.
- 🧼 For stubborn contaminants (such as nicotine), use white spirit, but no more than 30 seconds of contact!
2. Sanding and matting
Smooth plastic does not hold paint well, so it needs to be roughened. Use sandpaper grit 400-600 for ABS and grit 800 for polypropylene. Sand in a circular motion without applying too much pressure to avoid rubbing through the plastic. After sanding, degrease the surface again.
Remove the part from the interior|
Clean from dirt and grease|
Sand with sandpaper|
Degrease with isopropyl alcohol|
Seal unpainted areas-->
3. Priming
Apply adhesive primer in a thin layer from a distance of 20-25 cm. For polypropylene, use Plasti Dip (apply in 2 layers with an interval of 10 minutes). Any acrylic primer is suitable for ABS and PVC. After drying (1-2 hours), lightly sand the surface with paper. grit 1000 to remove shagreen.
⚠️ Attention: If the soil begins to “bubble” after drying, it means that the plastic contained silicone additives. It is necessary to remove the primer with a solvent and repeat degreasing special cleaner for silicone (for example, Silicon Remover).
4. Painting
Apply the paint in 2-3 thin layers at intervals of 15-20 minutes. Keep the balloon at a distance of 25-30 cm, move smoothly, without jerking. For complex relief parts (for example, ventilation grilles), use airbrush or a soft bristle brush. The room temperature should be 20-25°C, humidity - no higher than 60%.
5. Varnishing and drying
The last coat of paint should dry for 1-2 hours. Then apply varnish (if gloss is needed) or a matte protective coating. Dry parts for 24 hours at room temperature or 12 hours at infrared dryer (with 40-50°C). You cannot speed up drying with a hairdryer - this will lead to cracking!
The key to longevity is maintaining drying time between coats. Even if the paint is dry to the touch, the chemical polymerization processes can take up to 12 hours.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Even if you follow the instructions, you can make critical mistakes. Here are the most common:
- 🔴 Painting without primer on polypropylene → the paint peels off in layers after a week. Solution: use Plasti Dip or AP Primer.
- 🔴 Too thick layer of paint → smudges and “orange peel” appear. Solution: Apply 3 thin coats instead of one thick coat.
- 🔴 Low temperature drying → the paint remains sticky for months. Solution: keep it in the garage
+20°Cor use an IR heater. - 🔴 Using metal paint → cracks when heated. Solution: choose compounds marked "for plastic" or "for salon".
Another common problem is different shades at the junctions of parts. This happens if parts of the interior are painted at different times or at different temperatures. To avoid this, buy paint one batch (see number on the can) and paint all the parts in one go.
⚠️ Attention: If you are painting elements near the windshield (such as windshields), use UV stable paint (for example, Spies Hecker Permahyd). Conventional acrylic compositions will fade in 6-12 months under the sun.
Caring for painted plastic: how to prolong the result
To make your paint last longer, follow these rules:
- 🚿 Washing: use only neutral detergents (pH 5-7). Avoid alkalis and acids.
- ☀️ Sun protection: apply UV filter (for example, 303 Aerospace Protectant) once every 2-3 months.
- 🧴 Removing stains: For greasy stains use melamine sponge, but without pressure.
- 🔥 Temperature: Do not park in direct sunlight in summer (interior temperatures can reach
80°C, which destroys the varnish).
If you notice small chips, do not wait until the paint begins to peel off. Touch up the damage retouching marker (for example, Touch-Up Paint) and cover with clear varnish.
What to do if the paint is already peeling off?
If the paint is peeling off in layers, remove it completely. paint remover (for example, Abro) and repeat the process with priming. If the peeling is spotty, clean the problem area, degrease and apply local repair kit (for example, Dr. ColorChip).
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions
Is it possible to paint plastic without removing it from the interior?
Technically yes, but the result will be worse: it is difficult to properly degrease and sand the part on site, and the paint may get on the glass or upholstery. If it is impossible to remove a part (for example, a dashboard), tape everything around 3M masking tape and use brush, and not a spray can, to control the spray.
How long does paint last on plastic?
With proper preparation and care - from 3 to 5 years. On the most loaded parts (door handles, armrests) the paint wears off faster. To extend service life, apply once a year wax protective composition (for example, Collinite 845).
Is it possible to paint plastic a different color without removing the old paint?
It is possible, but only if the old paint holds firmly (does not peel off when scratched with a fingernail). In this case, light sanding is sufficient. grit 1000 to create roughness and apply a new layer. If the paint is peeling, it must be completely removed. wash or grinding.
What paint should I choose for plastic with a texture (for example, “leather like”)?
For textured surfaces use paint with "soft-touch" effect (for example, SEM Soft Texture Coating). It preserves the relief and does not make the plastic “plastic” to the touch. Apply it brush, and not by spraying, so as not to clog the pores of the texture.
How to paint plastic if you want metallic or pearlescent?
For metallic or pearlescent effects you need two-component paint (for example, Spies Hecker) and correct lighting when applied. Such paints require mandatory varnishing, and the varnish must be with UV filter, otherwise the pigments will fade within a year. For beginners it is easier to use ready-made spray cans with the effect (for example, Motip Metallic).