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  1. #1
    Senior Member Dan L's Avatar
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    Default Painting plexi

    About three years ago I painted the D windows for my EX with Stitts epoxy primer and followed that with Aerothane as a top coat. About a year ago I noticed that I was getting a little peeling.

    Posting pics from iPad which doesn't work well. Probably in wrong order.

    Picture of the template I made for the D. I cut the protective paper on the plexi with a knife and peeled the non D area away and then roughed it with a Scotchbrite pad before spraying the primer.

    So what's a better method and or paint? This isn't working well. The other window has a missing chunk too and a bubble that soon will peel.

    Thanks.

    image.jpg
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  2. #2
    Senior Member EVRoosevelt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Painting plexi

    Dan a tip I got from Mitch is to use Bulldog adhesion promoter made by Klean-Strip that's what they use in the factory.
    EV

  3. #3
    Senior Member Dan L's Avatar
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    Default Re: Painting plexi

    Quote Originally Posted by EVRoosevelt View Post
    Dan a tip I got from Mitch is to use Bulldog adhesion promoter made by Klean-Strip that's what they use in the factory.
    EV
    Thanks EV, I'm not familiar with that product. Is it something that etches the plexi prior to priming? I assume that priming and spraying with the polyurethane doesn't change?

    I'll probably get another set of windows and paint them next winter.
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  4. #4
    Senior Member EVRoosevelt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Painting plexi

    Yes it etches the plastic then you just paint over it with the color

  5. #5
    Senior Member Dan L's Avatar
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    Default Re: Painting plexi

    I pulled my old peeling D windows out today. Most of the double sided sticky tape stayed on the fuselage tubes. Anyone have the hot tip for removing it from the tubes without causing other damage, like taking powder coat with it?

    I am thinking of trying a heat gun waved over the tape for starters.
    Flying Carbon Cub EX #11 since 2011

  6. #6
    Senior Member Dan L's Avatar
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    Default Re: Painting plexi

    After a few delays I'm getting ready to paint my new D windows. I'll be spraying with Aerothane and using the Bulldog adhesion promoter. I'm assuming that I'll also want to prime first. But maybe that isn't necessary using the Bulldog product? Anyone with experience using this on plexi and priming or not?

    Thanks.

    IMG_0943.jpg

    This is what they look like now. I originally scuffed the plexi and primed with Stits epoxy primer and then Aerothane.
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  7. #7
    Senior Member TroyBranch's Avatar
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    Default Re: Painting plexi

    Interested in hearing the responses. I never had any luck keeping paint sticking to plastic. My plan is to not paint. More visibility and no worry about pealing. Are you guy just painting to for the cub look?

  8. #8
    Senior Member Cubrath's Avatar
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    Default Re: Painting plexi

    I painted mine a few weeks ago. I used the bulldog adheasion promoter without a primer. I taped the windows off, scuffed them with scotchbrite then sprayed the bulldog directly on the plexiglas. After about 30 min I sprayed the PPG top coat directly over the bulldog. It turned out nice, hope it holds up!
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    Last edited by Cubrath; 09-21-2015 at 06:46 PM.

  9. #9
    Senior Member Dan L's Avatar
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    Unhappy Re: Painting plexi

    new_paint_D.jpg

    Here are the new windows installed. I'm hopeful the Bulldog product does its job. It is a big job to remove and install these. The turtle deck needs to come off and while I was replacing and painting the D windows I thought I'd paint the bottom strip on the side windows too. I didn't do that on the originals and I think they look better painted. But removing the side windows is best done with the skylight removed. So I did that, removed the side windows and masked them. But then I found that the Bulldog and paint wouldn't adhere to the plexi. I'm guessing that the Plexus window cleaner I use has some silicone in it and that causes big problems for paint.

    So now I had the lower strip scuffed and looking terrible. There was no choice at this point but to replace the side windows too and start over. Peeling the side windows off of the frames went better than I thought. I was concerned I'd scratch off powder coating from the frames getting the windows separated with the double sided sticky tape. But I didn't and it wasn't much of a job.

    image.jpg

    I also had an issue with the original right side window that is cured now with the new window. At the time I received my kit the instructions said to cut a notch for the hinges. This moves the window up a 1/4" or so on the frame. The problem is that left a small gap on the bottom of the window where the strut clearance cutout is on the lower door. Now I don't have that gap; the window seals nicely there with the new window sans hinge cutouts.

    I'm glad I replaced all of the windows now. But it was a lot of work to get to that point.
    Last edited by Dan L; 12-15-2015 at 07:21 PM. Reason: Added painting image
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  10. #10
    Senior Member Dan L's Avatar
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    Default Re: Painting plexi

    Quote Originally Posted by TroyBranch View Post
    Are you guy just painting to for the cub look?
    Yes. I like the D windows and rounded wing tips and tail feathers.

    Cubrath, I'll be interested to hear how the top coat directly on the plexiglass holds up. Without the Bulldog mine adhered just fine for about two years. Then it started to bubble. Flying through some heavy rain a couple of times this summer broke the bubbles and then it peeled quickly.
    Flying Carbon Cub EX #11 since 2011

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