Painting Tips and using Ritz dye

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 For new paint ideas, check out the photo gallery to see what others have done.
***2-21-2006 I heard that this is not made anymore

I found some new stuff to help paint stick to the canopies. It is Klean-Strip Bulldog Abrasive Bumper Cleaner ***P-ABC-124 It say it "Removes all mold release agents" and it lightly scuffs the plastic also.

 Klean-Strip Bulldog Adhesion Promoter is sprayed on after the surface has been cleaned. It will stick to the plastic canopy and the paint will stick to it. Product number ETPO-123
Here is the company website: http://www.kleanstripauto.com/
Here's the steps I use: New plastic stock canopy:
1. Use Klean-Strip Bulldog Abrasive Bumper Cleaner P-ABC-124
to clean the canopy and fins throughly.
2. Spray a light coat of Klean-Strip Bulldog Adhesion Promoter
3. Spray Acrylic urethane automotive paint in the colors you want.
4. Spray with auto clear coat.

Repainting a stock plastic canopy:
I found the key to keeping the plastic smooth when sanding on it is to WET sand it using 200 grit wet/dry paper. After sanding spray the adhesion promoter then paint with automotive paint and seal with automotive clear coat.
Ace/Thunder Tiger
Paint Instructions		 This is what Ace says to do:
The polypropylene canopy used by the Raptor can
be painted. The canopy must be thoroughly washed with
hot water and soap first. The canopy is then primed
using a spray primer designed for automotive rubber
bumpers. Then, the model can be painted using any
paint. Decals are applied after the color paints have
dried. A clear varnish must be added afterward. We
used polypropylene material for the canopy because it
makes the canopy almost indestructible. The paints
will flake off after a crash, but the canopy usually
will not crack.
  Clean canopy with solvent / alcohol
Sand with 200 grit
Sand with 400 grit
Paint with 'Flexible Auto Bumper Primer'
Sand with 400
Paint white basecoat
Sand with 400
Paint with colors of your choice
Sand with 600
Add decals etc
Clearcoat (pactra varnish, Lustrecoat, automotive clear)
Wait one week.

Use only the same type paint (i.e. don't mix Rustoleum and Auto lacquer)

There are some 'Special Effects' paints out there that would look good
too. (Flying Brick or Marble Slap anyone?) Lustrecoat clear is vicious and will soften any paint. Don't touch the canopy for two days. All clears in cans will yellow over time, automotive clear is the best but expensive and a serious health hazard.
Michael 'Fritz' Blackburn
  1) Sand with extra fine
2) Spray 2 coats of "bumper primer adhesion promoter"
3) Spray with 2 or mor coats "bumper primer"
4) Use color coatings to your liking (standard paint)
5) Clear coat
6) Sticker
7) Clear coat again, and again

Use the Plasticote Products (automotove parts store) and it worked very well. Twisting the canopy cannot cause it to peel off
  A product at an Auto Parts supplier that works very well on getting the paint to stick to the canopy. (I don't think anything is perfect on this) The product is made by KLEEN-STRIP and is called "Bulldog Adhesion Promotor". This stuff sprays very thin and will run easily. I haven't done any testing for non-compatible color paints, so try a sample before spraying the canopy.
  1. Sand mostly the seam and other protrusions with 200-300 sand paper
2. Coat with plasti-kote Flexible Bumper & trim Adhesion Promoter (3-5 light coats should do)
3. Coat with plasti-kote Flexible Bumper & Trim Primer (I do two thin coats, sand with 400, then redo)
4. Paint with plasti-kote color(s) of choice
5. Clearcote with plasti-kote Competition Colors clear top coat No.307 (3-6 coats should do)
Plasti-kote is available from Pep Boys and costs about $2.99 to $3.99 per can, so also very cheap. We have painted Raptor and Ergo canopies with success.
  Credit goes to "Byron L. Head" for this.....

1 wash the canopy in soap and water to wash off mold wax.
2 wipe the dry canopy with isopropyl alcohol
3 Let fully dry and wash your hands!
4 Hit the canopy with flexible bonding clear. One light, one heavy in 20
min.
(Wait 30 minute prior to the priming coat but no longer!)
5 Hit the canopy with flexible bumper primer 2 coats, dry between per mfg.
6 Use an automotive type striping tape! Then mask. Pulls off with-out
paint!
7 Hit the canopy with your colors. (Model paint that is nitro ready!!!)
8 Let that puppy DRY 24 hours between layers!! (I did two or three coats!)
9 Remask and do the next color! ad infinitum....
10 Add decals and Clear coat the canopy! Twice - 24 hours between!
I did not sand anything between anything and get a nice smooth clear shine.
But if you feel you must sand use a 600 grit wet.
Remember: Do not crash the Raptor on the First New Canopy Flight! After -
OK.
And Please remember to take Pictures PRIOR to Flight!

Note: Without the BONDING CLEAR COAT, PolyPropylene will NOT hold the
Flexible bumper priming coat! Three Step process before clear coat!!!
SEM 39863 PP ready Bonding Clear! Automotive body paint supplier!
TIP for getting paint to stick: Here is a trick I use with good effect. After cleaning canopy with a degreasing agent and sanding it I then wipe it over with MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) which is the etchent plumbers use prior to gluing plastic pipes. Paint really adheres to it well. It comes in a pink tinge or clear from most hardware and plumbing shops.

Tip submitted by Bill Rendall
Coloring plastic parts with Ritz dye - submitted by Bruce Hill, thanks Bruce for the tip :)
It works best to nearly bring the water to a boil before adding the dye. Stur the dye in well (about half a minute) then reduce the heat while your parts are in the dye. It does seem to help to keep some heat under the pan. Keep the parts moving in the pan so they don't stick or get to soft.
When they have reached the color you want lift them out with tongs or whatever, let them air cool for a half a minute or so. Rinse them off right away with lukewarm water using your fingers to rub off any film.
Note: wet the sink first or use another pan or it may stain the sink This has worked great and as far as I can tell has had no ill effect on the parts.

Notes:
Do not use any pan or pot that you don't want stained.
Also don't use the same pan for a different color from the original color Because it will tint the second one
(i once had some really cool orange rims) Hope this tip is useful.
Posted on RunRyder by Hootcher