Spraying Plastic Car Parts - Autocryl^®/Autobase^® Systems

General Information

This Technical Data Sheet explains the process for refinishing:

• hard plastic,
• flexible plastic, and
• soft plastic parts.

Depending on the flexibility of the plastic parts, we differentiate between the following categories.

Plastic Types

1. Hard, glass fiber-reinforced polyester
   
   

   SMC	=	Sheet Moulding Compound
   BMC	=	Bulk Moulding Compound
   GFK	=	Fibreglass Laminate
   PC	=	Polycarbonate

   
   
2. Flexible
   
   

   PP/EPDM	=	Ethelene Propylene Diene Modified
   PP/EPM	=	Ethelene Propylene Modified
   ABS	=	Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
   PPO	=	Polyfenylene Oxide Polymer
   PA	=	Polyamide
   HP-Alloy	=	Honda Polymer Alloy
   PUR	=	Polyurethane
   PBT	=	Polybutene Terephtallate (Pocan)
   TPU	=	Thermal Polyurethane

   
   
3. Soft
   
   

   PUR

   =

   Polyurethane

A) Hard Plastics

Pretreatment

• Thoroughly degrease with Anti-Static Degreaser
• Thoroughly scuff with Red Scuff Pad with Plastic Fix or sand with #P400 grit paper dry
• Repeat degreasing process
• Allow 30 minutes to dry prior to proceeding

Ground Materials

Plastoflex Primer

• Spray two single coats. Allow a 20 minute dry time. Continue with Colorbuild*
• Spray one or two single coats, mixing as follows:
    100 parts by volume Colorbuild
    50 parts by volume Colorbuild Sealer Hardener
    30 parts by volume Autocryl Reducer
  
   * If the filling qualities of Colorbuild are not necessary, then continue with top coat.

B) Flexible Plastics

Pretreatment

As the refinishing of flexible plastic parts requires the highest consideration from the technician; it is necessary to assess the plastic part that is being refinished. Please refer to TDS "Test Methods for Plastic Identification" (below) to determine the type of plastic that is to be refinished. The technician should address the situation by using the guidelines as follows.

Finishing of New Replacement Plastic Parts, OEM & Aftermarket

Primed, Solvency Test

If Stable

1. Anti-Static Degreaser
2. Sand, #P400 grit dry or red scuff pad
3. Anti-Static Degreaser
4. Colorbuild + Elast-O-Actif
5. Topcoat + Elastic-O-Actif

Dissolves to solvent

1. Autoclean Degreaser
2. Sand, #P400 grit dry or grey scuff pad with Plastic Fix
3. Autoclean Degreaser
4. Colorbuild + Elast-O-Actif
5. Extend Flash time to 30 minutes at 70° (20°C)
6. Topcoat + Elastic-O-Actif

Untreated

1. Wash with hot soapy water
2. Anti-Static Degreaser
3. Polyolefin type: Grey scuff pad with Plastic Fix Urethane type:
   Sand, #P400 grit or red scuff pad with Plastic Fix
4. Anti-Static Degreaser
5. Allow to dry out for 20-30 minutes
6. Primer PO or Plastoflex Primer
   Note:
   After the application of Plastoflex Primer, if the filling qualities of Colorbuild are required, proceed. Remember, Elast-O-Actif should be added to Colorbuild for flexible parts.
7. Topcoat + Elasti-O-Actif

Repairing Existing OEM Plastic

1. Repair damage if necessary. Use 2-component plastic repair filler
2. Feather edge with #P280 grit paper, dry. Final sand with #P400 grit

Good feather edge

1. Anti-Static Degreaser
2. Allow to dry out for 20-30 minutes
3. PlastoFlex Primer or Primer PO to exposed plastic
4. Colorbuild + Elast-O-Actif
5. Topcoat + Elast-O-Actif

Peeling feather edge

1. Remove existing finish
2. Anti-Static Degreaser
3. Sand, #P400 grit or red scuff pad with Plastic Fix
4. Anti-Static Degreaser
5. Allow to dry out for 20-30 minutes
6. Plastoflex Primer or Primer PO
7. Colorbuild + Elast-O-Actif
8. Topcoat + Elast-O-Actif

Ground Materials

Primer PO

• Spray one single coat. Allow 5-10 minutes dry time, or:

Plastoflex Primer

• Spray two single coats. Allow a 20 minute dry time, continue with:
  Colorbuild* (with 33 parts Elast-O-Actif)

• Spray one or two single coats, mixing as follows:
    100 parts by volume Colorbuild
    33 parts by volume Elast-O-Actif (#4 Measuring Stick)
  

• Stir thoroughly. Further preparation of the products is as follows:
    100 parts by volume Colorbuild and Elast-O-Actif
    50 parts by volume Colorbuild Sealer Hardener
    30 parts by volume Autocryl Reducer
  
   * If the filling qualities of Colorbuild are not necessary, then continue with top coat.

C) Soft Plastics

Pretreatment

Soft polyurethane foam parts require special attention, as they come in various grades of quality from the manufacturer. There are types that have good durable outer film and types that have a thin, sometimes porous outer film.

In all cases

• Thoroughly degrease with Anti-Static Degreaser.
• Thoroughly scuff with Red Scuffing Pad and Plastic Fix (with light pressure).
• Repeat degreasing process.
• When wiping dry during the final degreasing process, you may notice small wet spots. These will soon evaporate. You are then working on a thin, porous outer film. Please refer to Ground Materials #2.

Note:
As the amount of Flex additive necessary to maintain flexibility of the top coat is high, this information sheet will not refer to a matte finish.

Ground Materials #1

Plastoflex Primer

• Spray two single coats, allow a 20 minute dry time, continue with:
  Colorbuild * (with 50 parts Elast-O-Actif)
• Spray one single coat, mixing as follows:
    100 parts by volume Colorbuild
    50 parts by volume Elast-O-Actif
• Stir thoroughly. Further preparation of the product is as follows:
    100 parts by volume Colorbuild and Elast-O-Actif
    50 parts by volume Colorbuild Sealer Hardener
    30 parts by volume Autocryl Reducer
  
  * If the filling qualities of Colorbuild are not necessary, then continue with top coat.
  If the filling qualities of Colorbuild are necessary.
  
  
• Apply one to two coats
• Allow a flash-off time of at least 10 minutes between coats. Allow to air dry overnight
• Sand with #P600 to #P800 grit paper. Wet or dry sand with #P400 to #P500 grit
• Degrease with M600. Do not use Anti-Static Degreaser

Ground Materials #2

Plastoflex Primer

• Spray two single coats, allow a 20 minute dry time, continue with:
  Autocryl 3+1 Filler (with 150 parts Elast-O-Actif)
• Spray two single coats, mixing as follows:
    100 parts by volume Autocryl Filler 3+1
    150 parts by volume Elast-O-Actif
• Stir thoroughly. Further preparation of this product is as follows:
    3 parts by volume Autocryl Filler 3+1 and Elast-O-Actif
    1 part by volume Autocryl Filler 3+1 Hardener
• Allow a flash-off time of 10 minutes between coats. Allow to air dry overnight
• Sand with #P600 to #P800 grit paper wet or dry sand with #P400 to #P500 grit.
• Degrease with M600 (do not use Anti-Static Degreaser).
• Kombi Putty
  Note:
  If when wet sanding or degreasing you still notice evidence of wet spots, allow the degreaser to evaporate and apply a thin scrape coat of Kombi Putty. After drying for 30 minutes at 70° F (20° C), sand with #P600 to #P800 grit paper wet or #P400 to #P500 grit dry. Sand to remove the Kombi Putty. Remaining should be only the product left in what were the small holes.
• Degrease with M600.

Note:
Plastics not listed above can not be reliably coated with the products listed. An unusual or unknown car part should be investigated for a suitable paint system by consulting with your Akzo Nobel Sales Representative.

For car parts with a plastic code of:

PP	=	Polyolefin = Polyethylene = Poly-propylene
TPO	=	Thermo Polyolefine

Please refer to Primer PO (Next Page).

Test Methods for Plastics Identification

Common plastics used in the auto industry can normally be identified by a marking on the back of the part. When this marking cannot be found, there are two tests that work fairly well to help determine whether to use Primer PO or Plastoflex Primer. These tests are the Burn Test and the Float Test.

Burn Test

Shave off a small sliver of plastic from the back of the part. Ensure that the part is free of paint, mold release agent, or any other coating. Light one end of the sliver. If the sliver burns with a black heavy smoke or releases spirals of smoky plastic, it indicates the use of Plastoflex Primer. If the sliver burns with a clean smoke (like that of a candle), it indicates the use of Primer PO.

Float Test

Shave off a small sliver of plastic from the back of the part. Ensure that the part is free of paint, mold release agent, or any other coating. Drop the sliver in a glass of water. If the sliver floats, it indicates the use of Primer PO. If the sliver sinks or submerges, it indicates the use of Plastoflex Primer.