Which is the preferred UV protection for plastic buildings, Armor All, or acrylic UV protectant spray paint, if you can find it?
We have had ZERO luck using the UV protectant clear coat spray, everything we tried it on has faded just as quickly as items we used nothing on.
Haven’t tried using Armor All, may give that a try next.
Our yard has no shade at all (we have not a single tree on our property, accept dwarfs on the layout) and our layout is in the sun from sunrise to sunset. We have a very difficult time having items stay in color on our layout, but on the flipside I am getting better at re-painting!
I actually called Krylon recently about which of their lines offered UV protection, and what clears would work with which line of their paint. AI did this because I want to coat some new tie strips. Basically I was told that none of their clear paints offer any real protection and the colored paints are marginal. The UV resistance they refer to on the can is more specific to the clear resisting the urge to turn yellow in the sun. After this conversation I was able to find one Color in one line of their paint that was the correct grey and had a Matte finish, so I’ve ordered some of that and will not need to clear it for a matte finish. Interestingly I was also told that you could not just use primer alone, it would need a top coat. I hope they didn’t tell that to the 5 switch blanks that I just painted in primer only…(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
Hmmm, beginning to look like Armor All is the way to go. Any other ideas?
I use the sample size paints from Home Depot. It’s Behr Exterior paint and has held up very well over the years. It’s nice because you can get the exact color you want. The sample size is 8 ounces and that will cover a LOT and only costs about $4 for the sample.
Bruce Chandler said:
I use the sample size paints from Home Depot. It’s Behr Exterior paint and has held up very well over the years. It’s nice because you can get the exact color you want. The sample size is 8 ounces and that will cover a LOT and only costs about $4 for the sample.
We painted a few of our buildings using the sample paints, they have only been outside for a little over a year but so far so good.
I second what Bruce said. The sample size exterior paint from Home Depot has worked for me.
-Kevin.
Bruce Chandler said:
I use the sample size paints from Home Depot. It’s Behr Exterior paint and has held up very well over the years. It’s nice because you can get the exact color you want. The sample size is 8 ounces and that will cover a LOT and only costs about $4 for the sample.
Applied by brush or air brush?
I don’t know about Bruce, but I use a brush. I don’t know if you could use an airbrush with latex paint?
-Kevin.
Yes, I use a brush as well. It can be a pain getting into some of the crevices, like a brick wall, but it’s a lot easier painting a large building with a brush.
I would have hated to spray this one:
Using a brush, I didn’t have to mask things like I would with a rattle can.
OK, when I start building my own, I will use the samples. In fact, I have done that for several projects. But for these buildings, what is recommended?
We used a highly scientific way of determining how to re-paint our plastic buildings.
If it could easily come apart without breaking anything (they were about 8-years old so most of the glue came apart easily) then we could easily mask stuff off and use rattle cans.
On the models where the glue didn’t want to give up its hold on the plastic and masking things off would be to difficult… we used the brush method.
I, too, use the Behr sample paints. I brush on as I have had no luck with an air brush. I think it is because the particle size is large and has a wide range. I am not an expert in painting. These are just my observations. I started using these paints about 4 yrs ago and they still look decent. But I am in NY and do not have the hot sun of the southwest.
I will have to try Home Depot. Lowe’s only does sample paints in interior paints. At least the one local to me does.
I don’t want to paint my buildings. I just want to protect them from the sun. Any ideas that do NOT involve paint?
Steve, what is your main concern regards UV protection - fading of pigments and factory finishes, structural or material failure due to long term exposure ? I always thought the Piko/Pola buildings had a degree of UV protection built in - they are stated to be “Wetterfest” or weatherproof (or have I got my German all wrong). My long term solution - always place your buildings in shaded/semi-shaded areas of the layout.
The printing industry has some UV protection (not the UV dried ones !) finishes that might be usable. Usually available on-line and air-brushable. Not tried them myself but they have been used by some on printed card kits. Though thinking about it they may not be suitable for exterior use.
Other painting solutions- cut down mini paint rollers rather than brush. Do the brick building in “mortar” colour then (almost dry) roller over with that terracotta masonry paint tester. Great for highlighting tile roofs.
When building make sure you sand all the mating areas of the structures before using a liquid solvent adhesive - people forget the “weathered” look is a paint film that stops the solvents bonding the surfaces properly. That’s why a lot of them fall apart after time outside. Max.
Steve, better than Armorall in the UV department (does not contain plasticizers though) :
http://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-aerospace-protectant
Guys use it in planes, which normally have a clear cockpit, which allows the sun to destroy the interior.
Greg
I’d forgotten about that stuff. I even use it on my plastic kayaks. Doh! 
Thanks, Greg.