Clear Coat for Plastic

[lx22f/c]

Okay i bought a new propane tank cover for the camper. It is the new colored ( champagne) that matches the trim on our jayco perfectly. Only problem i see is it doesn't have the shine that i thought it would. Can i just get some spray clear coat and put that on it? I think they make one for plastic.
Do i need to sand it first? I havent installed it yet or put it together. Will the clear coat help protect it from uv rays or will it just crack and fall off?
Thanks all
Robert

[tinlizzie23]

In order to make it stick properly, yes, you probably will need to sand it lightly with something like 600 grit wet paper. As for the shine, I'm not sure about clear coats for plastic, but for metal, clear coats come in gloss, semi-gloss, and flat. If the container doesn't say anything about gloss, then I would try it on a scrap piece of plastic to see what it will be like, before putting it on the tank cover. And about the UV rays, unless it specifically contains ingredients designed to stop the rays, then it probably will do nothing in that department.

[exjay1]

Might have some luck with Dupli-colors plastic trim paint (found at auto parts store). Its designed for plastic/flexable pieces on your car such as bumpers, interior/exterior trim, door panels etc and suppost to not flake off and be flexable.

[DocBrown]

X2! Rustolium also has a variety of colors made for plastic. Just make sure to thoroughly wash and dry the new cover first. There isn't any need to sand it.

[3'senough]

I would get a quote from a body shop. Rust Oleum will fade fast in my experience.It just does not have the UV protection of good grade auto paints. Any good shop would hit it quick for you with an automotive grade clear for a reasonable price, especially the cash price. They use the stuff daily and would most likely use up what's left in the bottle to spray it. I had some plastic mud flaps shot in the color matching my trim then cleared and mounted for a song.

You might even save by bringing it in scuffed if the labor is a lot.

Worth a shot IMHO.

[3'senough]

I would get a quote from a body shop. Rust Oleum will fade fast in my experience.It just does not have the UV protection of good grade auto paints. Any good shop would hit it quick for you with an automotive grade clear for a reasonable price, especially the cash price. They use the stuff daily and would most likely use up what's left in the bottle to spray it. I had some plastic mud flaps shot in the color matching my trim then cleared and mounted for a song.

You might even save by bringing it in scuffed if the labor is a lot.

Worth a shot IMHO.

[lx22f/c]

Thanks for the suggestions.
Will go by a few body shops and see what they say.
Robert