Staining plastic trim - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

vinrads · 11th Jun 2019, 8:53 am

I need to stain the off white plastic piping ,on a French radio I think black would look very nice against chrome . any suggestions please, Mick.

Nickthedentist · 11th Jun 2019, 9:00 am

I'm not sure you can "stain" most plastics, Mick. I suspect you would need to paint.

red16v · 11th Jun 2019, 9:12 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickthedentist

I'm not sure you can "stain" most plastics, Mick. I suspect you would need to paint.

or spray ..?

vinrads · 11th Jun 2019, 10:44 am

Ah! just tried a marker pen ,it was supposed to be black but turned out to be blue ,the good thing is it won't rub off, food for thought me think's . Mick.

ajgriff · 11th Jun 2019, 10:59 am

Difficult to achieve an even finish with a permanent marker pen I would have thought. Paint (sprayed) would be best I think. Hopefully you can remove and replace the trim relatively easily.

Alan

Scimitar · 11th Jun 2019, 11:19 am

Vinylkote.

David G4EBT · 11th Jun 2019, 7:28 pm

Plasti-kote:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=plasti-...l_95nz824y2i_e

Stated as suitable for use on plastics (not all aerosols are).

vinrads · 11th Jun 2019, 7:29 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scimitar

Vinylkote.

Elaborate please Mick.

vinrads · 11th Jun 2019, 7:33 pm

Hi David as you say not all aerosols are suitable ,that's what I was worried about , but that looks like the one I need I see they do it in gloss black as well . Just awaiting the metal casing to come back from being chromed then I will post some pictures .Mick.

Bazz4CQJ · 11th Jun 2019, 10:22 pm

Some time ago, I became interested in how plastic lenses in glasses are stained to become sun-glasses. Searching Google, I found that basically, plain lenses are simply dipped in to a cocktail of chemicals and the stain is absorbed. I also found on Google some "homebrew" solutions for staining and the colour stains (tints) can be bought on line.

Take alook at https://www.jasonlauritzen.com/blue-...make-your-own/. There's a British company referred to there called BPI and they sell the tints.

B

11th Jun 2019, 8:53 am	#1
vinrads Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 3,755	Staining plastic trim I need to stain the off white plastic piping ,on a French radio I think black would look very nice against chrome . any suggestions please, Mick.

11th Jun 2019, 9:00 am	#2
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,843	Re: Staining plastic trim I'm not sure you can "stain" most plastics, Mick. I suspect you would need to paint.

11th Jun 2019, 10:44 am	#4
vinrads Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 3,755	Re: Staining plastic trim Ah! just tried a marker pen ,it was supposed to be black but turned out to be blue ,the good thing is it won't rub off, food for thought me think's . Mick.

11th Jun 2019, 10:59 am	#5
ajgriff Nonode Join Date: May 2004 Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 2,587	Re: Staining plastic trim Difficult to achieve an even finish with a permanent marker pen I would have thought. Paint (sprayed) would be best I think. Hopefully you can remove and replace the trim relatively easily. Alan

11th Jun 2019, 11:19 am	#6
Scimitar Heptode Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Gloucestershire, UK. Posts: 719	Re: Staining plastic trim Vinylkote.

11th Jun 2019, 7:28 pm	#7
David G4EBT Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cottingham, East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 5,761	Re: Staining plastic trim Plasti-kote: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=plasti-...l_95nz824y2i_e Stated as suitable for use on plastics (not all aerosols are). __________________ David. BVWS Member. G-QRP Club member 1339.

11th Jun 2019, 7:33 pm	#9
vinrads Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 3,755	Re: Staining plastic trim Hi David as you say not all aerosols are suitable ,that's what I was worried about , but that looks like the one I need I see they do it in gloss black as well . Just awaiting the metal casing to come back from being chromed then I will post some pictures .Mick.

11th Jun 2019, 10:22 pm	#10
Bazz4CQJ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 4,934	Re: Staining plastic trim Some time ago, I became interested in how plastic lenses in glasses are stained to become sun-glasses. Searching Google, I found that basically, plain lenses are simply dipped in to a cocktail of chemicals and the stain is absorbed. I also found on Google some "homebrew" solutions for staining and the colour stains (tints) can be bought on line. Take alook at https://www.jasonlauritzen.com/blue-...make-your-own/. There's a British company referred to there called BPI and they sell the tints. B __________________ Saturn V had 6 million pounds of fuel. It would take thirty thousand strong men to lift it an inch. Last edited by Bazz4CQJ; 11th Jun 2019 at 10:29 pm.