painting styrene

[camino ty]

I have painted lexan so know how that goes but what paints stick to styrene? I have heard people use krylon fusion, model brush on paint. I work at a body shop so i could use a PO primer then car paint and clear. Does the plastic need a mechanical scratch like a grey scotch brite or just a chemical one from the primer? Please help the body is a hilux.

[58_Willys]

Styrene is just like plastic model bodies, so after a good primer, anything goes except the paints for lexan/polycarbonite. I have had good results with duplicolor sandable primer, and the same for auto body colors in rattle cans, and then clear coats. Any of the model paints should be no problem, Testors, Model Master, Tamiya...you should always primer the styrene first, no matter what paint you choose to use. You Tube has some good how-to's, just search for, painting model car bodies. Good luck.

[4wd4ws]

Make sure to clean the body thoroughly before priming.
The release agent from the mold can be quite hard to remove sometimes.

[58_Willys]

Originally Posted by 4wd4ws

Make sure to clean the body thoroughly before priming.
The release agent from the mold can be quite hard to remove sometimes.

I agree with 4wd4ws...Castrol Super Clean might be good for this, as it won't harm the body. Just rinse really well before painting, it tends to hide in the recesses. An old toothe brush should work good here. And keep it off your hands, the slimmy feeling you have when cleaning with this stuff is your skin.