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Getting paint to stick to clear Polystyrene


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Gents / Ladies, this is actually non-modelling for a change, but as the material and technique probably can be read across I thought I'd try and see if you guys can give any hints. Anyone who has had paint lifting after masking will probably have gone through this! 

 

I am trying to make switch fascia panels for the flight sim rig that I have built, and want to use clear 2mm polystyrene sheet that is available locally made by a company called Gutta. The intention is to coat the front of the sheet with a black coating, then CNC engrave the switch names and fascia details onto the front, revealing the clear substrate so that I can illuminate it from the back with LED's. I have everything working fine except for the fact that the spray can acrylic lacquer based paint I have used just flakes off during the engraving.

 

I have sanded the surface to give it a key, didn't work. I then tried spraying lacquer thinners onto the face after sanding the surface first (it does dissolve the surface, I checked on a test piece) then sprayed the paint onto the still slightly sticky surface, but it still flakes away..

 

So what I need is either a paint that aggressively grips or etches onto the surface or some other way of covering the face of the sheet.

 

Any suggestions from you good folks?

 

Cheers

 

Les

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Are you positive you are not dealing with polycarbonate?  

 

Either way, you are probably better off not using an acrylic based paint for this.   I know for sure this will work with polycarbonate and poly-specific paint because I did just this to a guitar pickguard about 15 years ago.  It is more durable, too.   If you are dead set on polystyrene, then maybe go with a lacquer based paint?  No way that will flake off. 

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It's the only stuff available locally (Hungary) and the data sheet says polystyrene.

 

I'll have to see if I can get a lacquer based paint here, not sure where though. It used to be common for cars but they changed that years ago

 

Cheers

 

Les

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