Waterproof panels are made from plastic or vinyl and are used to protect areas that commonly get wet such as bathrooms and exterior walls. In most cases it is possible to paint this plastic using a strict application method. However, all paints should be checked on a small area of panel before painting an entire wall.
PVC Panel
PVC is a common form of plastic used to make waterproof panels. The PVC is melted and formed to look like real wood. Usually the company that manufacturers the panels will offer several different finishes and colors. However, if you live in a house that already has PVC wall panels and you do not like the color, then it becomes necessary to paint the panels. PVC plastic can be painted, but there are a few tricks to it.
HDPE Panel
HDPE is another type of plastic that is commonly used to make wall panels. The panels are made in the same way as PVC panels with melting, molding and shaping. HDPE is also sold in a variety of colors and finishes, although not quite as many as PVC because it is a newer product. HDPE is used more often in industrial and commercial settings. If waterproof panels are located in your home it is likely that they are PVC plastic rather than HDPE. However, the painting procedure for both plastics is the same.
Preparation
Preparation is essential for a proper painting bond for any plastic and waterproof panels. The panels should be thoroughly cleaned with grease-fighting soap and sanded with a high-grit sand paper. The panels should then be wiped down with an acetone solution to get rid of any dust and grease. Immediately wipe the surface down with a clean, damp cloth to remove the acetone. Any acetone still on the plastic will cause adhesion problems. If this step is ignored the paint will not stick to the plastic and it will flake and peel away causing unsightly bubbles, flakes and scratches on the surface of the panels.
Once the surface is prepped, painting can begin. Use a paint that is designed for use with plastic. There are several forms of acrylic primers designed for use with plastic. You can also use an epoxy primer. Make sure the solution is water-based rather than oil-based. The paint can be applied with a roller or brush. A roller should only be used with flat panels and a brush should be used with panels that have ridges or grooves. Allow the primer to dry for 24 hours. Follow the primer application with an acrylic paint designed for use with plastic. Generally, this kind of paint will have ingredients that make it more flexible. Plastic paint comes in container or spray form. Either kind is equally effective at sticking to the paint. If the paint bubbles up, remove the paint and mix in some paint thinner with the primer; 5 to 10 percent thinner to 90 to 95 percent primer is a good ratio.
Showing posts with label PVC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PVC. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
How to Bend a Polycarbonate Sheet
Since polycarbonate is a thermoplastic, heat is required to form, bend or mold a polycarbonate sheet. Open flame or unventilated ovens create a safety hazard, as toxic fumes are released from the plastic if it is heated beyond its melting point of 300 degrees F, according to Dyna lab Corporation. To heat the polycarbonate sheet evenly, you need to use a device designed for heating plastic. A heat strip uses an electric current to create heat. Since you are able to control the temperature of the heat strip, there is little chance of overheating the polycarbonate sheet.
Instructions
1.Set the heat strip on top of the worktable.
2. Measure the height of the heat strip with the tape measure.
3.Stack the two-inch pieces of 1/2-inch plywood on both side of the heat strip until the top of the wood is even to or slightly above the top surface of the heat strip.
4.Plug in the heat strip and set the temperature of the heat strip to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow the heat strip to reach the set temperature before continuing.
5.Remove the protective coating from both sides of the polycarbonate sheet--if the sheet has a paper protective coating, or if you are bending the sheet in a U shape.
6. Mark the location of the bend on each edge of the polycarbonate sheet with the permanent marker and put on your leather work gloves.
7.Place the PVC sheet on top of the heat strip. The bend location marks you placed on the edges of the sheet need to be aligned with the center of the heat strip.
8. Hold one side of the polycarbonate sheet with one gloved hand and slightly lift the other side of the sheet with your other gloved hand to test the softness of the plastic. If the polycarbonate sheet does not lift easily, leave the plastic on the heat strip.
9.Remove the polycarbonate sheet from the heat strip when the plastic bends easily. Immediately bend and hold the polycarbonate sheet to bend the polycarbonate sheet.
Instructions
1.Set the heat strip on top of the worktable.
2. Measure the height of the heat strip with the tape measure.
3.Stack the two-inch pieces of 1/2-inch plywood on both side of the heat strip until the top of the wood is even to or slightly above the top surface of the heat strip.
4.Plug in the heat strip and set the temperature of the heat strip to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow the heat strip to reach the set temperature before continuing.
5.Remove the protective coating from both sides of the polycarbonate sheet--if the sheet has a paper protective coating, or if you are bending the sheet in a U shape.
6. Mark the location of the bend on each edge of the polycarbonate sheet with the permanent marker and put on your leather work gloves.
7.Place the PVC sheet on top of the heat strip. The bend location marks you placed on the edges of the sheet need to be aligned with the center of the heat strip.
8. Hold one side of the polycarbonate sheet with one gloved hand and slightly lift the other side of the sheet with your other gloved hand to test the softness of the plastic. If the polycarbonate sheet does not lift easily, leave the plastic on the heat strip.
9.Remove the polycarbonate sheet from the heat strip when the plastic bends easily. Immediately bend and hold the polycarbonate sheet to bend the polycarbonate sheet.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
How to Form a Polycarbonate Sheet
Polycarbonate is a type of thermoplastic used for items such as windshields, lenses and headlights. It is a durable plastic that resists shattering, making it preferable to glass in many cases. You can purchase polycarbonate sheet from plastic suppliers for use in household projects. For instance, you might want to use it in place of glass for fragile items in display cases or shelving. It is also possible to change the shape of these sheets. With a few basic tools, you can form polycarbonate into customized shapes to suit your needs.
Instructions
1.Set the temperature on your plastic strip heater to between 340 and 365 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature allows the plastic to become pliable without warping.
2.Remove the sheet's masking from the bend spot. Polycarbonate comes with a thin film attached to both sides to keep it from scratching. You may want to remove all of it before forming. At the very least, you will need to remove the film from the area you are bending.
3.Lay the plastic on the strip heater. Make sure that only the area you want to bend is aligned on the heating element. You may want to mark the desired bend spot on the edge of your polycarbonate sheet before placing it on the strip heater.
4.Wait for the polycarbonate to soften. The sheet will first sag in the heated area, causing the ends of the PVC sheet to curl slightly. Once it is heated completely, the ends relax and you can begin forming it.
5.Form the polycarbonate into the desired bend. Move quickly after removing the sheet from the heating source, because polycarbonate hardens quickly.
6.Hold the bend in place. After just a few minutes, the polycarbonate retains the new shape on its own.
Instructions
1.Set the temperature on your plastic strip heater to between 340 and 365 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature allows the plastic to become pliable without warping.
2.Remove the sheet's masking from the bend spot. Polycarbonate comes with a thin film attached to both sides to keep it from scratching. You may want to remove all of it before forming. At the very least, you will need to remove the film from the area you are bending.
3.Lay the plastic on the strip heater. Make sure that only the area you want to bend is aligned on the heating element. You may want to mark the desired bend spot on the edge of your polycarbonate sheet before placing it on the strip heater.
4.Wait for the polycarbonate to soften. The sheet will first sag in the heated area, causing the ends of the PVC sheet to curl slightly. Once it is heated completely, the ends relax and you can begin forming it.
5.Form the polycarbonate into the desired bend. Move quickly after removing the sheet from the heating source, because polycarbonate hardens quickly.
6.Hold the bend in place. After just a few minutes, the polycarbonate retains the new shape on its own.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Instructions for Installing PVC Ceiling Panels
PVC panel are low maintenance building materials typically used on the ceilings in a house to add beauty and elegance or to cover uneven surfaces. These waterproof panels are installed on ceilings in bathrooms and kitchens and any other interior room. These panels are tongue and groove and can be installed with moderate effort by any homeowner. With just a few instructions and the proper materials,PVC wall panel can be installed quickly.
Instructions
1.Measure the length and width of the ceiling to get the total square footage which will determine how many pieces will be necessary for installation. Divide the total square footage of the ceiling by eight, which is the square footage of the panels, to figure out the number of panels that will be used for installation.
2.Line the first piece up to the ceiling beginning in any corner of the room. Run a bead of silicone caulk along the ceiling where the panel will be installed. Push the panel in place and hold it for a minute so it can adhere to the caulk.
3.Insert staples all over the panel to secure it to the ceiling. Space the staples out evenly and make sure the first panel is secure to the ceiling before letting go.
4.Apply silicone caulk to the ceiling where the second panel will go and slide it into the first panel. Lock it into place so it is secure and push it against the ceiling to allow the silicone time to stick to it. Insert staples just like the previous panel. Continue down the ceiling until reaching the end of the first row.
5.Cut the panel to size if necessary with a hack saw. Measure and mark where the cut needs to be made and carefully follow along the lines to cut the panel to size. Install this panel in the same manner. Move on to the second row and continue across the ceiling until all the panels have been properly installed and are secured to the ceiling.
Instructions
1.Measure the length and width of the ceiling to get the total square footage which will determine how many pieces will be necessary for installation. Divide the total square footage of the ceiling by eight, which is the square footage of the panels, to figure out the number of panels that will be used for installation.
2.Line the first piece up to the ceiling beginning in any corner of the room. Run a bead of silicone caulk along the ceiling where the panel will be installed. Push the panel in place and hold it for a minute so it can adhere to the caulk.
3.Insert staples all over the panel to secure it to the ceiling. Space the staples out evenly and make sure the first panel is secure to the ceiling before letting go.
4.Apply silicone caulk to the ceiling where the second panel will go and slide it into the first panel. Lock it into place so it is secure and push it against the ceiling to allow the silicone time to stick to it. Insert staples just like the previous panel. Continue down the ceiling until reaching the end of the first row.
5.Cut the panel to size if necessary with a hack saw. Measure and mark where the cut needs to be made and carefully follow along the lines to cut the panel to size. Install this panel in the same manner. Move on to the second row and continue across the ceiling until all the panels have been properly installed and are secured to the ceiling.
How to Cut a PVC Roofing Panel
Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC sheet, roofing panels are made of
plastic and are either flat or have a ridged texture. The PVC panels are
durable and resistant to fading from the sun, making them good choices for
sheds, greenhouses, carports and other household structures. Since the panels
come in sheets the size of plywood, you must cut them along the edges of the
roof to fit. Cutting the PVC roof panels requires only that you choose the
proper blade for a standard power saw.
Instructions
1.Check the temperature of the storage area when the PVC panel are located to ensure that it is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If the
area is below this temperature, move the PVC roofing panels into a heated area
and let them sit overnight to acclimate before cutting.
2.Place a PVC roof panel on the roof in the area where
you want to install it. Draw a line on the panel using a pencil to indicate
where it requires cutting.
3.Place the panel on top of two saw horses, ensuring that
the pencil line hangs freely. Clamp the panels to the saw horses to ensure that
they don’t move while cutting.
4.Insert a plywood cutting blade into a standard circular
saw with the teeth facing backward. The teeth have small hooked portions at the
bottom.
5.Don safety glasses and plug the cord of the circular
saw into an outlet. Squeeze the saw trigger and slowly move the spinning blade
toward the pencil line on the PVC panel until it begins to cut through it.
Continue cutting at a slow pace until reaching the opposite side of the cut
line.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
How to Make PVC Corral Panels
A corral panel is a simple rectangular panel that can be attached together for many uses. Corral panels are used to quickly repair a fence, make a round pen for horses to exercise in, fence off an area or divide off stalls in a stable. They can be expensive to buy. If you make your own, they cost a lot less, and can be custom made to fit any space.
Instructions
1
Cut all of the 10-foot PVC pipes in half. Measure 5 feet from one end, and draw a mark with a pencil or pen. Using the PVC cutters, cut the PVC pipe in half. Set the pieces aside.
2
Cut two of the 5-foot pieces of pipe into 1-foot pieces using the PVC pipe cutters.
3
Make 2 side posts. Construct the side posts in this order: elbow, 1-foot piece of PVC, PVC tee, 1-foot piece of PVC, PVC tee, 1-foot piece of PVC, PVC tee, 1-foot piece of PVC, 1-foot piece of PVC panel, elbow. It should make a straight post. Glue the pieces together using PVC glue. Wipe the glue on each piece of pipe, and put the pipe together. Hold the pipe tightly together as you count to 45. It tends to try to push apart. Make sure that the ends of the tees and elbows that are poking out are all facing the same direction. You will need to make two of these posts, one for each side of the panel.
After you make the side posts, you will need to make the center post. Construct the center post in this order: tee (with the long two-holed side on the bottom), 1-foot piece of PVC, PVC cross, 1-foot piece of PVC, PVC cross, 1-foot piece of PVC, PVC cross, 1-foot piece of PVC, PVC cross, 1-foot piece of PVC, tee (with the long two-holed side on the top). It should make a straight post. Make sure that the ends of the tees and crosses that are poking out are all facing the same direction. Make only one center post.
4
Attach the side post to the center post with the 5 foot long pieces of PVC pipe on the left side. Glue the 5-foot pieces of pipe into the corresponding tee or elbows on the side post and center post. It is easier to put this part together if you glue all of the pieces into the side post first. Have a second person hold the side post with the glued 5-foot pieces of pipe up. Put the glue in the tee and cross openings on one side, and quickly push the 5-foot pieces of PVC into the openings. Hold pressure against both posts to keep the glue from pushing the pipe out. Count to 45 before releasing the pressure.
Attach the right side of the panel to the center post with the 5 foot pieces of pipe. Glue in each section, and apply pressure to right and left outer posts at the same time. Hold for 45 seconds, and it is ready to use.
Instructions
1
Cut all of the 10-foot PVC pipes in half. Measure 5 feet from one end, and draw a mark with a pencil or pen. Using the PVC cutters, cut the PVC pipe in half. Set the pieces aside.
2
Cut two of the 5-foot pieces of pipe into 1-foot pieces using the PVC pipe cutters.
3
Make 2 side posts. Construct the side posts in this order: elbow, 1-foot piece of PVC, PVC tee, 1-foot piece of PVC, PVC tee, 1-foot piece of PVC, PVC tee, 1-foot piece of PVC, 1-foot piece of PVC panel, elbow. It should make a straight post. Glue the pieces together using PVC glue. Wipe the glue on each piece of pipe, and put the pipe together. Hold the pipe tightly together as you count to 45. It tends to try to push apart. Make sure that the ends of the tees and elbows that are poking out are all facing the same direction. You will need to make two of these posts, one for each side of the panel.
After you make the side posts, you will need to make the center post. Construct the center post in this order: tee (with the long two-holed side on the bottom), 1-foot piece of PVC, PVC cross, 1-foot piece of PVC, PVC cross, 1-foot piece of PVC, PVC cross, 1-foot piece of PVC, PVC cross, 1-foot piece of PVC, tee (with the long two-holed side on the top). It should make a straight post. Make sure that the ends of the tees and crosses that are poking out are all facing the same direction. Make only one center post.
4
Attach the side post to the center post with the 5 foot long pieces of PVC pipe on the left side. Glue the 5-foot pieces of pipe into the corresponding tee or elbows on the side post and center post. It is easier to put this part together if you glue all of the pieces into the side post first. Have a second person hold the side post with the glued 5-foot pieces of pipe up. Put the glue in the tee and cross openings on one side, and quickly push the 5-foot pieces of PVC into the openings. Hold pressure against both posts to keep the glue from pushing the pipe out. Count to 45 before releasing the pressure.
Attach the right side of the panel to the center post with the 5 foot pieces of pipe. Glue in each section, and apply pressure to right and left outer posts at the same time. Hold for 45 seconds, and it is ready to use.
Instructions for Installing PVC Ceiling Panels
PVC panel is low maintenance building materials typically used on the ceilings in a house to add beauty and elegance or to cover uneven surfaces. These waterproof panels are installed on ceilings in bathrooms and kitchens and any other interior room. These panels are tongue and groove and can be installed with moderate effort by any homeowner. With just a few instructions and the proper materials, PVC panels can be installed quickly.
Instructions
1
Measure the length and width of the ceiling to get the total square footage which will determine how many pieces will be necessary for installation. Divide the total square footage of the ceiling by eight, which is the square footage of the panels, to figure out the number of panels that will be used for installation.
2
Line the first piece up to the ceiling beginning in any corner of the room. Run a bead of silicone caulk along the ceiling where the panel will be installed. Push the panel in place and hold it for a minute so it can adhere to the caulk.
3
Insert staples all over the panel to secure it to the ceiling. Space the staples out evenly and make sure the first panel is secure to the ceiling before letting go.
4
Apply silicone caulk to the ceiling where the second panel will go and slide it into the first panel. Lock it into place so it is secure and push it against the ceiling to allow the silicone time to stick to it. Insert staples just like the previous panel. Continue down the ceiling until reaching the end of the first row.
5
Cut the panel to size if necessary with a hack saw. Measure and mark where the cut needs to be made and carefully follow along the lines to cut the panel to size. Install this panel in the same manner. Move on to the second row and continue across the ceiling until all the panels have been properly installed and are secured to the ceiling.
Instructions
1
Measure the length and width of the ceiling to get the total square footage which will determine how many pieces will be necessary for installation. Divide the total square footage of the ceiling by eight, which is the square footage of the panels, to figure out the number of panels that will be used for installation.
2
Line the first piece up to the ceiling beginning in any corner of the room. Run a bead of silicone caulk along the ceiling where the panel will be installed. Push the panel in place and hold it for a minute so it can adhere to the caulk.
3
Insert staples all over the panel to secure it to the ceiling. Space the staples out evenly and make sure the first panel is secure to the ceiling before letting go.
4
Apply silicone caulk to the ceiling where the second panel will go and slide it into the first panel. Lock it into place so it is secure and push it against the ceiling to allow the silicone time to stick to it. Insert staples just like the previous panel. Continue down the ceiling until reaching the end of the first row.
5
Cut the panel to size if necessary with a hack saw. Measure and mark where the cut needs to be made and carefully follow along the lines to cut the panel to size. Install this panel in the same manner. Move on to the second row and continue across the ceiling until all the panels have been properly installed and are secured to the ceiling.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)