Painting plastic or resin structures

[Anonymous]

I would like to know the type of paint to use on plastic or resin structures, enamal or acrylic, I want something that will stay on and not rub or flake off. any suggestions.

[dknelson]

The key to resin is you have to clean it thoroughly - it has a somewhat greasy texture due I think to molding release. Of course anything ready to be painted has to be clean and not touched by fingers (get cheap rubber gloves and throw them away -- if you reuse they'l have finger grease on them).
Acrylic paints on plastic can be a challenge, esp. if brushed. That is my experience
Dave Nelson

[orsonroy]

I've painted resin castings (buildings, automobiles and freight cars) in a variety of ways. So long as you clean the castings (I use 70% alcohol, an old toothbrush and some warm water), basically any paint will stick. I generally use Polly Scale RR colors for freight cars, Model Master acrylics for autos, and either Model Master rattle cans or (more frequently) Floquil grey primer and acrylic craft paints for buildings.

In the over 30 autos, 5-6 buildings and 10+ freight cars I've painted, I haven't had an issue with paint flaking off resin.