Powder coat plastic?

[rodster]

Up until recently I thought powder coating was only for metal. Then I read a forum thread where someone suggested that plastic parts such as mirror caps can be PCed. Can plastic be powder coated? Thanks in advance for advice.

[rodster]

Up until recently I thought powder coating was only for metal. Then I read a forum thread where someone suggested that plastic parts such as mirror caps can be PCed. Can plastic be powder coated? Thanks in advance for advice.

[LasVegas]

I don't see how it could work. True powder coating has to be held to the product by electrostatic charge until heat is applied to may it run. But I'm just guessing.

[HUMMERcustoms.com/TAZ]

Jonahs is correct about powder coating. My son in laws father is in the business. Jonahs I know i said I was going to bed but, could not sleep not feeling well.
The process is not a powder coating. It is a process where You treat the plastic or any material almost with a special primer after cleaning it with a special chemical. I have seen it done in the last week and if I remember You let the primer almost dry then spray paint out of a regular car painting sprayer and a chemical reaction takes place between the two to bond paint to plastic. I saw it done with chrome material on a motorcycle helment and a piece of plastic. You could not tell it was not chrome until You tapped on it and saw it was not metal. It can be used on metal but, cannot withstand temps above 160 degrees. There are many colors and textures. Some looked like powder coat. it did not scratch off like You would think paint would. I can find out later what the name of the process or company is. The one draw back is once You open the color it will keep only 30 days. I do not know what sizes it comes in. i think it is what many are using on the chromed air towers that are plastic but, not sure. i know it would work on them though. i saw it used on a piece of metal also.
TAZ

[rodster]

Thanks, guys. Appreciate the advice.

Taz, it would be great if you could find out about the process or company name. On a side note, sorry you're not feeling well and I double appreciate your willingness to respond given the circumstances. I think I read somewhere that you also have two daughters. Funny how they can make it all seem better when things are tough.

Congrats on the turbo project, Jonahs. I'm ready for that test ride when you are.

Thanks again and BTW, the thread I mentioned above is here.

[tower]

Powder Coatings:

“Polyester powders are thermosetting resins that are applied electrostatically to a steel surface and heated to temperatures around 180oC (=356o Fahrenheit). This technology produces very uniform coatings that have an attractive architectural finish with excellent atmospheric weathering characteristics. The powder coated product ensures maximum durability for steel components, which will generally provide 50 year+ rust free life spans in most architectural applications.”

So IN THEORY, it should be possible. Many non-metals will hold an electrostatic charge (rub a balloon on wool and watch it attract your hair). Whether this charge is strong enough compared to a metal with current running through it is questionable. Furthermore, it must be a plastic which, not only holds a charge, but does not deform at 356o. Tough to find.

[timgco]

Is that the same as plastic coating? When m rims were PC'd they said they could do my center caps, but there was a differfent process to do the plastic. I'll have to ask Gobi what was done exactly. all I know is they are holding up very well!!!!

[rodster]

Thanks, Tower. The baking is what stumped me. I'm not sure (and I doubt) if the plastic parts on the truck can handle 356 +- degrees.

Tim, you're on target since my objective is to do something with the mirror caps, center caps and maybe even, chrome grille. I assume they're all similar in composition. And while those parts could be replaced with plain or painted parts, I'm looking for alternatives. If I don't, I'll end up with a truck that looks like a pale twin of yours! (That's a good thing, BTW -- your SUT is the best looking I've seen.)

Thanks all for all.

[HUMMERcustoms.com/TAZ]

Thanks rodster for the concern. It has been a rough past year and 1/2. I have to play Daddy and Mommy which is just a priviledge to be able to. My girls next to the good Lord are the most important things in My life. You absolutely correct they do make things allot better. Sometimes they feel like they have to be a mother hen but, I go along it makes them happy.

Tower is correct on powder coating plastic. There are very few if any plastics that can stand the baking temp. I asked My In Law who has powder coating and metal stamping company told Me that they have tried plastic for customers but, have not been succesful yet. He said there are plastics that will take the electrical charge just a tower said but, not the temps. He thinks there has to be a plastic but, His powder coat material supplier has not seen a plastic yet that can stand up to the 360 degree plus temp to bake. It is not just dashed through the heat but has to set for long periods of time.
The guy that has this new process will be back Monday and He said He'll tell Me the company that sells the system. Most anybody shop could have this as it was designed for that business. I would think You could call some of them and just ask can they treat plastic with the chemical reaction primer stuff.
The system He has is a chemical reaction system that requires no heat at all. Just have to use the special primer and paint. It can be used on anything as far as He knows. He has been experimenting with differnt materials. Even very slick material like in the motorcycle helment that He chromed. I think He preps it like a car for painting. He roughed it up with fine grit sanding. I do know there are many colors and textures. I would not be surprised if it simulates powder coat.
I have made Myself a note to call Him or go by Monday. Most likely if I feel better I'm going by. I had another black out Friday actually on My way to see this guy. It is a great young family man that I'm mentoring in the Lord and business.

Anyway have kept My rearend parked this weekend and had to miss one of the biggest softball tourney's of the year at home. I was concerned to drive but, it is all good tonight. I could not go to sleep last night till 5 am Sunday, had allot of pain in the legs. Woke up at 11 AM missing Church and laid back down and woke up again at 8 PM tonight. Never done that before.
rodster I'll get some info Monday.
TAZ

[HUMMERcustoms.com/TAZ]

rodster here is info on the process I was talking about.
Go to goldtouchinc.com maybe they have dealer list.
Chrome process is called cosmichrome.
Website will tell more but, I understood there are several colors and textures.
TAZ

[rodster]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RLTAZH2:
Go to goldtouchinc.com maybe they have dealer list.
Chrome process is called cosmichrome.
Website will tell more but, I understood there are several colors and textures.
TAZ </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks, Taz. They definitely have bright finishes and colors but I couldn't find anything about textures or more subtle finishes. Thanks again.

[tower]

Tim, et.al.

You are correct. The caps are done differently. There are a few ways that they can be done. Any paint (epoxy type is best) that has a carrier which can chemically "dissolve" the plastic's surface (only) will create a strong chemical bond or "weld" when it dries. For obvious reasons, epoxy based paint dries harder than anything else. Another alternative is the coating which many manufacturers use as pick-up truck bedliner coatings. This stuff adheres as tenaciously as anything you will find. DRTY coated his front grille with this stuff in black, so you may want to talk with him about it. It dries very hard, though not as much so as pure epoxy.