Custom Painted Canopies

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Painting Tips

**WARNING painting and paint byproducts are HAZARDOUS to your health. Follow all recommendations on the labels of the products you are using.

Preparation of Clear Plastic canopies 2 halves to be painted from the inside.

Clean! Clean! Clean! each half with a mixture of dish washing liquid and warm water inside and out. Dry and let dry thoroughly.
Scuff the inside of each half with a Scotch Brite red pad. This will rough up the surface so the paint will have something to hold on to.
Clean! Clean! Clean! The surface to be painted must be cleaned with a wax and grease remover we use Dupont 2319S. It is designed to remove the mold-releasing agents and helps cut back on the amount of static on the plastic canopy.
Next using a good quality masking tape mask off your windshield area.
You are now ready to do your design work. If you are going to paint from the inside as we do at Just Canopies you will have to mask out your design on the inside of each half of the clear plastic canopies, making sure that all lines match up between the two halves. If painting from the inside you will have to give some thought to your color scheme. The dark color have to be applied first then the next lightest and so on depending on how many colors you are going to apply in your design. The types of paint we use are lacquers it comes in many colors and different sizes. The application of a lacquer paint can be done best from any source that will best atomize the paint. We use compressors, airbrushes and medium size paint guns. The rattle can or even a good brush could be used quite effectively with a little practice to produce a satisfying finish. Let the two halve dry thoroughly before proceeding.
The final steps. You must now glue the two halves of the canopies together. We use Electric Corp. E-6000 glue hard to find. Shoe Goop or any product that will glue this type of plastic can be used read the directions. Using many clips along the center ridge to hold the two halves in place until the glue is dry. Make sure your design is lined up between the two halves of the canopy where they meet in the center. Let dry thoroughly. Overnight is best.
Almost done. Next you will have to even up the center ridge down to between 3/8" to 1/4". If you go to fare you will weaken the overall construction of the canopy and it will fall apart in mid air. We use a dremel with a medium to heavy sanding drum at a medium speed with a guide made for each different style canopy to keep it aligned evenly and protect the outside finish. You will need a steady hand and go slow. We used to do each one this way until we came up with the jigs for each canopy. The final step takes a sanding block with fine sandpaper and sand around the edge to smooth out any rough spots.
**Note this procedure can also be used to paint the outside of clear plastic canopies although we do not do that. You would glue the two halves together and grind the center line first then go into your design and painting steps and finish with clear coat on the outside.

Stand back at admire your work

 

Gel coat Fiberglass canopies Painting Tips

**WARNING painting and paint byproducts are HAZARDOUS to your health. Follow all recommendations on the labels of the products you are using.

First scuff up the entire area to be painted using a Scotch Brite red pad go over the entire surface until there are no shiny spots left on the gel coat.
Next wipe down the entire surface with wax and grease remover we use a Standard and a lint free rag clean! clean! clean!
Next you would apply two coats of primer light gray. Let each coat dry thoroughly before applying the next.
Next wet sand the entire surface with 600-grit sandpaper until smooth.
Next look closely at the canopy you will have to fill any pinholes and imperfections with red spotting putty we use red so it will show up. Let dry thoroughly. Wet sand again until smooth and pinholes are filled. Apply more spotting putty until you are satisfied that all the blemishes and pinholes are gone.
Now apply one or two more coats of primer. Wet sand with 600-grit sandpaper until very smooth this is the base for your color coat and the final finish.
Next take a break put your pride and joy aside in a safe place and clean up the entire work area dust is your worst enemy in the steps to follow. It will amaze you what sticks to wet paint.
Next painting your color base coat. Must mention at this point you will be using an automotive type paint either urethanes, enamels or lacquers or anything in between with thinners.
These types of paints are best applied with compressors and airbrushes and small paint guns. You will have to decide if the expense is worth it unless you already have the equipment or if you have a friend with the equipment whom is up to the challenge. Our friendly auto body shop that will work on small pieces.
Prep your fiberglass canopy for the base color coat. Clean entire surface of your canopy with wax and grease remover and a lint free cloth
Next a tack cloth is your best friend use previous to shooting each base color segment or anytime you feel it is necessary.
Next you would spray paint your base color on the entire canopy. Let dry thoroughly usually overnight we at Just Canopies wet sand this base color coat for that extra rich deep color and spray a finish color coat of the same color on top several times. You can elect not to do this it is entirely up to you.
Now you will have to mask out the design of your choice. Use a good masking tape and rub down the edges so the paint will not bleed under your mask line when you spray paint.
In multi colored designs you will have to mask off for each segment that has to be painted a different color. Paint it and let thoroughly dry before going onto the next color. It is best to try to keep your first venture into painting fiberglass with these types of paints simple in design. Let thoroughly dry.

Time to make another decision automotive clear coats at least two or more coats must be applied to the canopy to give it its brilliant shine.

**If you decide to do this yourself read all warnings on the products and follow their directions to the letter these paints are very dangerous to your health. Durathanes and Urethanes clear coats require special equipment for the room and the person in that room using these finishes. Our recommendation is to have a professional automotive body shop apply this finish for you.

Have fun painting!
Just Canopies