Painting Sockets

[JohnW2]

I would ideally like to have two or three sockets in colours which would not be available as manufactured products. Only very rarely will plugs be inserted/removed, and unswitched would be fine, thereby minimising the amount of physical handling, and they wouldn't be used in locations where they would be likely to be 'knocked about' too much.

Does anyone have any experience of spray-painting white accessories? Preventing any paints getting into 'the works' should be easy enough (and the shutters themselves ought to go a long-way to doing that), so what I'm really asking is, if anyone has done it, what sort of paint would be most like to remain unscathed on such a surface for a reasonable amount of time - cellulose-based 'car paint', polyurethane, or what?

I have seen plenty of accessories which have (deliberately or accidentally) brush-painted with emulsion paint or gloss paint (both of which seem to 'stick' pretty well), but imagine that spraying would probably result in a better, and perhaps more durable, finish.

Thanks for any advice/shared experiences!

Kind Regards, John

 

[FrodoOne]

In my experience, the best thing that I have found for "colouring" plastics (both hard and soft) is a US product VHT Vinyl Dye. http://www.vhtpaint.com/specialty/vht-vinyl-dye/
As the name indicates, it is made for dying vinyl products (automobile interiors) but works on hard plastics as well.

Unfortunately, it is available only in a limited range of basic colours.

However, there is a British product which seems to have a wider range of colours and the company also appears to offer "colour matching". https://www.vinyldye.co.uk/

 

[bernardgreen]

You can by them, even with bespoke colours

https://www.livinghouse.co.uk/acatalog/Bespoke-Coloured-Electrical-Plug-Socket.html

 

[JohnD]

I've had good results with ordinary oil-based gloss. No undercoat or primer is needed. Thin it enough that there will be no brushmarks, and (after cleaning the accessory surface with a little white spirit, and wiping dry) stand them face up so any slight runs will drip off the "wall" edge and can be cleaned off when hard.

As you say it is important not to let paint fall down the pin holes. You could use blu-tak or carefully shaped bits of tape.

BTW oil-based gloss also works on plastic waste pipes, downpipes, meter boxes etc, though I use non-drip gloss outdoors as drips look worse then brushmarks, and you don't want paint on the brickwork. Outside work may be dirtier, and eroded by weather, so clean off with white spirit and a green scourer or wire wool before painting.

 

[chivers67]

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Wiring_Accessories_Menu_Index/Varilight_Freestyle/index.html Any good to you?

 

[OwainDIYer]

You can get transparent switches and sockets which have a coloured inlay behind, which can be paint or wallpaper, etc. Several ranges:

http://www.sparksdirect.co.uk/blog/invisible-plastic-plates-switches-sockets-transparent/

https://www.wandsworthelectrical.com/collection/crystal-collection/

 

[JohnW2]

In my experience, the best thing that I have found for "colouring" plastics (both hard and soft) is a US product VHT Vinyl Dye. http://www.vhtpaint.com/specialty/vht-vinyl-dye/ .... As the name indicates, it is made for dying vinyl products (automobile interiors) but works on hard plastics as well.... However, there is a British product which seems to have a wider range of colours and the company also appears to offer "colour matching". https://www.vinyldye.co.uk/

Thanks.

I have to say that I'm a bit sceptical about anything being able to 'dye' the sort of glazed urea-formaldehyde resin which most UK accessories are made out of - but those are interesting products to know about (ifd not only for other uses!).

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnW2]

You can by them, even with bespoke colours
https://www.livinghouse.co.uk/acatalog/Bespoke-Coloured-Electrical-Plug-Socket.html

Thanks. Yes, although I didn't say so, I realise that 'bespoke' products are available - but I would regard £79 (plus VAT, so not a lot shy of a hundred quid) as being a bit OTT for a double socket!

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnW2]

I've had good results with ordinary oil-based gloss. ....

Thanks. That's good to know.

BTW oil-based gloss also works on plastic waste pipes, downpipes, meter boxes etc, though I use non-drip gloss outdoors as drips look worse then brushmarks, and you don't want paint on the brickwork.

Indeed. In fact, to 'trade tips', a few years ago, I experimented with painting some plastic gutters, downpipes and waste pipes etc. with water-based 'fence paint' (so as to 'match' fences and other garden woodwork). It took three or four coats (the first couple look awful - just a collection of brushmarks!) and I didn't really expect it to last, but at least 4 or 5 years down the road, nearly all of it still looks fine!

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnW2]

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Wiring_Accessories_Menu_Index/Varilight_Freestyle/index.html Any good to you?

Thanks. I'd forgotten that type, but, although I haven't yet looked at the Varilight range as a whole, and TLC seem to be offering only switched sockets. I'd prefer unswitched ones, not the least because I would then not have 'uncoloured'/non-matching switches.

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnW2]

You can get transparent switches and sockets which have a coloured inlay behind, which can be paint or wallpaper, etc. Several ranges:

Thanks. As I've just written to chivers, I'd forgotten about that type. I'll look further into this, but the couple you've linked to look/sound as if they might be expensive. From what JohnD has said, brush painting might be adequate (particularly given that it can always be re-done).

Kind Regards, John

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I'd suggest a bit of work with wet'n'dry first to knock the glaze off.

 

[flameport]

spray-painting white accessories

Do they need to be plastic?
Metal types would be easier to paint, and those with a removable front plate would avoid the need to mask off anything.
Wooden sockets are also a thing.

 

[JohnW2]

Do they need to be plastic? Metal types would be easier to paint ....

True. In terms of aesthetic fastidiousness, it would be ideal if they 'looked like' other plastic ones around (shape etc.), although I'll admit that there will not be in rooms/parts of the house where aesthetics are a major concern.

... and those with a removable front plate would avoid the need to mask off anything.

Again true, and I would probably consider that. However, if I removed 'the works' (if possible) and painted only the metal plate, those bits I hadn't painted would somewhat 'stand out' (if there were no pugs in them) - although I suppose that's fairly trivial. In other words, although not these colours, I would prefer something like ...

...rather than something like (without the USB gizmos)...

Kind Regards, John

 

[Gerrydelasel]

Does anyone have any experience of spray-painting white accessories?

I am reminded of this blog where they painted their sockets the same as everything else.
https://www.littlehouseonthecorner.com/how-to-paint-switches-and-sockets/