Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Bingweed on June 28, 2013, 12:42:09 pm

Title: Paint on plastic
Post by: Bingweed on June 28, 2013, 12:42:09 pm: Hello all.

Been asked to do some sills and frames that have got a lot of paint spots on them from the owner painting the exterior walls . Haven't seen the job yet, as its a friend of my girlfriend and that's all I've been told.

So before I go up I thought I'd ask for some advice. I've used the search function and three techniques come up.

Scrapper. - will this cause lots of scratches ?

White spirits - will this react with the plastic and cause blisters ?

Dry and wet paper - surely this will cause the plastic to go rough and then very dirty ?

Not sure which way to go with these or another way, if any one knows .

Thanks all
Title: Re: Paint on plastic
Post by: deeege on June 28, 2013, 01:46:37 pm: You need to manage the custies expectations here. Make sure to tell him that it will be very difficult, maybe impossible, to get every last speck of paint off. Also I would only agree to the job for a set rate per hour. You give him a set price and you'll probably end up out of pocket.

You need all of the following:

Scraper (not a brand new blade)
White spirits
Cloth

Start by scraping the paint gently, a brand new blade is no good because it digs into the plastic. Also don't attempt to scrape any areas where the paint is on any edges of the plastic, only scrape the flat surfaces.

Now wet your cloth with white spirits and apply by gently rubbing the affected areas. Leave for a minute or so then gently rub off with a dry cloth.

This should remove most of the paint, the stubborn areas may need an extra scrape.
Title: Re: Paint on plastic
Post by: tlwcs on June 28, 2013, 02:13:01 pm: Not sure the white spirits is going to help at all.
Most masonry paints are water based so scrape and elbow grease.
deeege is right to get you to manage their expectations though.
Good luck with it
Tony
Title: Re: Paint on plastic
Post by: rosskesava on June 28, 2013, 02:28:55 pm: I avoid jobs like that.

They always end being much more difficult than it first seemed and also end up taking much much longer than expected.

Run, Forest, run.
Title: Re: Paint on plastic
Post by: Bingweed on June 29, 2013, 04:14:25 am: Thank you for the replies boys.

Got to admit I'm not keen on doing it even though its the girl frieinds mate. I'll let you know what I do when i see them next week.

Cheers

Andy
Title: Re: Paint on plastic
Post by: robertphil on June 29, 2013, 07:43:27 am: i would not do it. if you mark the frames they might take you to court for new ones .
Title: Re: Paint on plastic
Post by: home6442 on June 29, 2013, 08:08:18 am: I have used car paint tar remover to do this in the past. [ For a mate ]
But its a time consuming job and takes a lot of elbow grease.
Would be hard to price.
Title: Re: Paint on plastic
Post by: Blue Frog Systems on June 29, 2013, 10:56:25 am: Upvc solvent cleaner may do it. Think i did one this way but was some years ago now
Title: Re: Paint on plastic
Post by: sf on June 29, 2013, 01:05:55 pm: upvc solvent cleaner and white scourer rub softly then wipe with clean cloth. works but very time consuming.