The IET is carrying out some important updates between 17-30 April and all of our websites will be view only. For more information, read this Announcement

Rules and Guidelines
Want to participate in the discussions? Please read our Community Rules and Guidelines. Need some help? Visit Support and Answers.

  • State Not Answered
  • Locked Locked
  • Replies 30 replies
  • Subscribers 31 subscribers
  • Views 4673 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
You may also be interested in
This discussion is locked.
You cannot post a reply to this discussion. If you have a question start a new discussion

Painting plastic white moulded accessories?

whjohnson
Applying paint to white moulded accessories? Sockets, switches and the like.

Been asked by an interior designer (cushion-thrower) if it would be safe to paint electrical accessories a different colour.

I said I didn't know and would guess that it depended upon the type of paint.

Oil-based enamel? Lacquer solvent-based? Water-based acrylics?

I mentioned that any solvent-based paints may damage the plastic and even undermine any flame-retardant ingredients within.


Comments welcome.
Parents
  • 0
    A bit of wisdom from a housing association maintenance contractor, it is cheaper and more effective to buy a new fitting then pay an electrician to swap it to replace a paint covered electrical fitting than it is to pay a labourer to try and clean the paint off an existing one.


    Over the last few years I have been paid to replace a lot of painted electrical accessories and have never seen a plastic electrical fitting that has been improved by having been painted.


     Andy B
Reply
  • 0
    A bit of wisdom from a housing association maintenance contractor, it is cheaper and more effective to buy a new fitting then pay an electrician to swap it to replace a paint covered electrical fitting than it is to pay a labourer to try and clean the paint off an existing one.


    Over the last few years I have been paid to replace a lot of painted electrical accessories and have never seen a plastic electrical fitting that has been improved by having been painted.


     Andy B
Children
No Data

Join us to get the best from IET EngX.

Joining EngX lets you personalise your experience so you stay up to date on the topics that interest you, plus you’ll be able to make connections who are looking to collaborate, exchange ideas and more.

Join us Not now

Community Rules & Guidelines