Chaning color of T-Molding

[mnapuran]

Anyone successfully "paint" or otherwise change the color of their T-Molding?  

I found a perfect color match from Krylon's Fusion spray paint (plastics paint) and prepped black T-Molding with SEM Plastic Prep, then sprayed it.

However, with a good "rubbing", etc it is coming off  

Anyone?

-Mike

[SpamMe]

Maybe a clearcoat over the top (matte or glossy, whatever)?
How much is the tmolding going to get rubbed, anyway?

[eightbit]

Did you try roughing up the tmolding first?

[mnapuran]

Did you try roughing up the tmolding first?

Actually, I did do a test using steel wool... the problem is that it's noticeable that it was "roughened".

I then used the SEM Plastic Prep, and it seems to hold up quite well in initial tests.  However, after being on their for a while, I did some "testing" and was able to get some of the paint off.  Once it starts coming off, a simple rub will take off more.

Perhaps I need to find a dye that will work better.... would be nice to know EXACTLY what the T-Molding is made of.

-Mike

[spidermonkey]

By the time you buy the plastic prep, steel wool, plastic primer,fusion paint and time spent painting it with no success you could have bought enough new t-molding to do your cabinet and have trouble free results. Cut your losses and buy yourself a small roll of it at T-Molding.com or Ebay. Its not that expensive and it comes in almost any color you could want. I hope whatever you do works out for you.

[mnapuran]

Uhmm.. we have TONS of T-molding... all bought from T-Molding.com, and it is typically NOT available in the colors we want.  

In this case, I'm looking for a specific green, and all they offer is that nasty Neon green.  

[Techoverload]

morree then likely the t-molding is not actually plastic but is Polyethylene or other s+uch polymer like the stuff they are now making the new disposable glad ware out of.

As such you will find it next to impossible to get paint to adhere to it with any kind of permanent results.

The polyetthel and poly styrene familys are all oil based and as such resist almost anything staying stuck to them as they tend to "seep" a micro  fine layer of oil wich is very resistant to anything bonding to it.

[spidermonkey]

http://www.rustoleum.com/product.asp?frm_product_id=341&SBL=1

[Psychosylph]

Hmmm... wonder if you could dye it with Rit dye.  I did that to make my wife's computer's drives purple.

[mnapuran]

Hmmm... wonder if you could dye it with Rit dye.  I did that to make my wife's computer's drives purple.

I considered that.. but would probably have to start with white t-molding.

I did talk to Krylon about the Fusion paint.  They said it takes up to 7 days to "fully cure and resistive".  So, I may do more testing on the pieces already painted next week and see how they hold up.

-Mike

[pmc]

May also want to consider a vinyl dye. I've seen them (online) used to mod PC cases -- typically CD-ROM bezels which mostly come in an expansive rainbow of beige, white, or black.

I know that someone said that T-molding may be polyethylene, but it sounds like a similar issue. People who paint their computers usually discover that it chips or peels easily. Dye actually "sinks into" the material and doesn't just coat the surface. I hear you can buy vinyl dye in spray cans.

Might work anyway.

[patrickl]

Did you have any luck painting the T-molding (and making it stick)?

I'm hoping to be able to paint my T-molding in flat aluminium. Allthough I doubt that any paint will be able to stay on when I apply the T-molding and vice versa I'm not gonna (spray) paint the T-molding while it's already on the cab.

[thunderball]

May also want to consider a vinyl dye. I've seen them (online) used to mod PC cases -- typically CD-ROM bezels which mostly come in an expansive rainbow of beige, white, or black.

I used Plasti-kote Vinyl Color to paint my drive bezels.  It turned out really well.  I also used it on some PVC pipe.  I haven't been able to scratch it off.  You can find it at juat about any automotive store.

[patrickl]

Thanks, will try to find something like that. I found some plastic primer, I guess I could just try that too.