How To Paint UPVC Doors
If you are planning on painting plastic surfaces such as doors, windows or fascias, follow our experts step-by-step guide:
What You Will Need:
- Paint
- Primer
- Sandpaper
- Paint brush
- Paint roller
- Dust sheet
- Masking tape
- A cloth
Step 1 - Preparation
The first job in any decorating project is to prepare the surface. This is crucially important for plastic as it very rarely comes ready to paint. You must first ensure the surface is thoroughly cleaned in order to paint. Use a cleaning solution or a degreaser to remove any dirt and wipe down using a cloth. The surface must be completely clean before you move on.
The next step is to lightly key the plastic. Using a 120-grit sandpaper, sand down the surface in order to create a slightly rougher texture in order to paint. This helps the paint adhere not only on application but long-term. It is advised to remove any additional decorations around the plastic you are painting, put a dust sheet down on the floor and apply masking tape to the edge of the surface. Using a good-quality masking tape is the secret to achieving those razor-sharp edges as these prevent paint bleeding through the tape.
Step 2 - Priming
Before you can apply paint to the plastic, it is hugely beneficial to apply a primer, which helps the paint to adhere to the surface.
The primer should be applied in a thin but even coating to the surface. With a paint brush, apply the primer around the edges of the surface, trying to avoid spilling the primer on other surfaces. This once dry can be extremely difficult to remove, so taking time to ensure you do not drip the primer is crucial. Once you have applied the primer around the edges, you can then use a brush or roller to apply the primer to the bulk of the surface.
Leave to completely dry before moving on.
Step 3 - Painting
Once the plastic you are planning to paint is clean, sound and primed, it is time to get painting. If you are painting exterior plastic, it is important to ensure the temperature is above 5°C as low temperatures make it difficult for the paint to dry. It is equally important to make sure that the temperature is below 20°C as this can cause the paint to dry to quickly which will result in an uneven finish.
Using either a roller or brush apply a thin, even first coat of paint to the plastic, once again starting at the edges as you did with the primer. We recommend that you use a roller to roll over the top of the brush marks that will be present when you have cut in around the surface. By doing this, you help to prevent what is known as the framing effect. This is caused when a brush applies a different amount of paint than a roller, resulting in two different finishes. By using the roller to go over any areas you have used a brush, you get a perfectly even finish. Using a high-quality brush & roller is another key factor in ensuring the best results.
Leave this to completely dry, which with a water-based paint should be around one hour.
Once dry, you can then apply the second coat of paint, this time slightly thicker. With a good-quality paint, you should be able to achieve a solid build of colour in just two coats. Having said this, if you are not achieving a satisfactory finish, do not overload the paint. Multiple thin coats of paint is better than a few thick coats if you want long-term performance. Ensuring that the paint covers any patches completely for a fantastic smooth finish.
Leave to dry completely once again and you should be finished! If you have used a cheaper quality paint, you may then have to apply a third coat after this.
