Paint problem

[mulligan]

I repainted my 1995 10515 Gold Series this past winter with Dupli Color Grabber Green and it looked great. It still looks great on the aluminum deck but is bubbling off the plastic gas tank. I'm guessing it's being caused by gas but why only on the plastic. Do I need a different paint or primer?

 

[beg]

to paint on plastic you have to add flex agent to the paint which is not possible in an aerosol can unless done at the factory or ordered as a custom mix from a supplier and they wont do just one can

 

[reynoldston]

to paint on plastic you have to add flex agent to the paint which is not possible in an aerosol can unless done at the factory or ordered as a custom mix from a supplier and they wont do just one can

NAPA will put it in a aerosol can and will sell you one can. They can custom mix it right in the store.

 

[beg]

thank you I will check that out at my local napa store I am restoring a 1973 stars and stripes lawnboy and it has an off white color like the old appliance white from the 70's

 

[Two-Stroke]

NAPA will put it in a aerosol can and will sell you one can. They can custom mix it right in the store.

That's good to know. :thumbsup:

 

[mulligan]

Thanks but I don't think it's because of the lack of a flex agent. It appears that the paint is bubbling because of some gas getting on it as it is only aroung the gas cap area, the front and sides of the tank still look great I thought this paint was ok to use in areas exposed to heat and gas but perhaps I was wrong. I'll re-paint it again next winter. Should I be looking for a different brand/type of paint? I do want to keep it close to Lawn Boy green.

 

[LB8210]

How much time elapsed from painting to putting the mower back into service?

 

[tomsteve]

plastic should have an adhesion promoter sprayed before paint. surface should be thoroughly washed, then a wax and grease remover used, then scuffed( I use 600 grit) then an adhesion promoter sprayed before paint. even touching the surface with hands//fingers after WAG can leave oils on the surface that can effect adhesion.
paint bubbling around gas caps is a problem when repainting motorcycle gas tanks,too. if there is any area the vapors can get under the paint it will lift the paint. theres solutions to it, one being sealing arund the filler cap with epoxy or fiberglass resin. theres other solutions,too, but the epoxy one has worked for me.

 

[mulligan]

Thanks. It was 4 or 5 months after paint before the mower was used again. Look like I need to do some research about painting a plastic gas tank before repainting next winter.

 

[LB8210]

4 to 5 months should be enough time for the paint to have cured and be gas resistant. It may be that the area around the filler still had an oil film present. To prep. the tank wash several times with hot water and Dawn dish washing soap. Use water too hot to keep your hands in it. Allow to dry completely between each wash. Good luck with your project.