Ok to spray paint on cables?

[robinbanks]

No - it's plasticised.

And what do you think will happen?

 

[JohnW2]

And what do you think will happen?

If the plasticiser is 'leeched out', the material can become brittle.

 

[robinbanks]

Indeed..

a) so coating a PVC cable with something fairly impervious to small molecules like O2 will make it more likely that larger molecules like C24H38O4 will be encouraged to leach out, embrittling the cable?

and

b) so what?

 

[opps]

Surely the op could wipe silicone grease (or similar) on the cable?

 

[JohnW2]

Indeed.. a) so coating a PVC cable with something fairly impervious to small molecules like O2 will make it more likely that larger molecules like C24H38O4 will be encouraged to leach out, embrittling the cable?

I have no idea, but I'm not at all sure "small molecules like O2" have got much/anything to do with it. I didn't think that the potential issue was related to 'impervious coatings' but, rather, to substances that could result in loss of plasticiser - but, as I've said, I don't know.

... and .... b) so what?

That's surely fairly obvious, isn't it? If the PVC of cables loses its plasticiser, it may crack if flexed etc.

Having said all that, over the years/decades I have painted plenty of PVC-sheathed cables with a whole variety of types of paint, and have never been aware of any significant resultant problem.

 

[morqthana]

Indeed..

a) so coating a PVC cable with something fairly impervious to small molecules like O2 will make it more likely that larger molecules like C24H38O4 will be encouraged to leach out, embrittling the cable?

and

b) so what?

Have you ever seen what happens to PVC cables in contact with expanded polystyrene?

 

[JohnW2]

Have you ever seen what happens to PVC cables in contact with expanded polystyrene?

Quite so. I, for one, have 'seen it', and it's quite 'interesting', even though I don't fully understand the chemistry!