Painting Vinyl

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Painting and airbrushing
1

I need some advice on painting vinyl, as I think that I might have “screwed up.” About a week or so ago I painted the center portion of two black “vinyl” seats in my 2009 Corvette Coupe red, using Testors Gloss Red Enamel. They’re still tacky.

Did I “screw up?” If so what should I have done/used? Do I need to strip the paint and start over, or will the enamel ever fully cure? If so how long will it take?

2

I wouldn’t say you screwed up, but you are most likely screwed.

Enamel on vinyl is often a bad idea. There is a chemical reaction that doesn’t stop. I did that on my Sherman tracks, and even after soaking in Simple Green and then using Acrylic, they are still tacky. And that was 18 months ago. Acrylics on vinyl is a safer bet.

I’m not sure there is anything you can do to salvage the seats.

Paul

3

Paul,

If I had a hair dryer/blower would that help or make matters worse? What if I had one of those food vacuum sealers?

Guess I might need to contact the company and see if I can get a set of replacement seats for it. Or see if anyone at the club that I’ve started going to has any extra seats.

And then get some red acrylic paint.

At least I’ve learned my lesson.

4

I don’t think it would make it worse, but I don’t think it would help. The problem isn’t that the paint isn’t drying, but that the solvents in the paint are reacting with the vinyl. The paint just won’t cure completely (or it takes a really, really, long time).

On a related note, some vinyl will even react to the styrene, melting it when they are left touching each other for a while. Strange, but true.

Paul

5

Just a thought - not solving your issue though. I’ve not done vinyl parts that I know of but has anyone tried ‘Future’ or ‘Pledge with Future Shine’ as a base coat on vinyl. It’s advertised for “tile and vinyl floors” and if it works it’d make a great base/barrier coat.

6

Paul,

Thank you for the information. Did I already ask about stripping and repainting with acrylics? Which I’m guessing is WHAT I should used to start with.

How long is a “really, really long time???”

Okay, if vinyl can cause such headaches why do companies use it for seats and other parts that do/will come into contact with styrene?

7

Bick,

I was wondering the same thing.