Painting Plastic Paddle Blade

[Woodland Artisan]

Anyone tried it ? How long has it lasted, if so.

Now that it's nearly Fall and the temps and number of people on the local Ozarks waters are going down, I got a new Bending Branches for the kayak for the season. It's bright yellow. I really hate that (if I want to be seen, I'll make a special effort when needed) and painted it with some Krylon Fusion to give it a camo-ish look like the kayaks. Then topped that with some Krylon clear for a bit more protection.

Just wondering about alternatives or even if someone did the same as I and how long they might last with normal use.

[Flysmallie]

The problem is not adding protection to the top, the real problem is getting the color to adhere to the plastic surface. There are adhesion promoters that you can use but it's still going to scrape off against the rocks and stuff.

[fishinwrench]

My g/f permanently altered the color of a plastic comb from bright pink to a nice woodland gray with some brown hair dye.

Just a thought.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Nothing stick to my paddles. Every fall I rub them down with possum fat so the water drains right off and don't get in the boat. Works great. Works on the bottom side of the canoe too. Really slides through the water.

[Woodland Artisan]

Flysmallie: Yeah, it's the adhesion to the plastic (which is Polypropylene in this case) that I'm wondering about. The clear overlay is to help with the rocks, limbs, etc. but, as you say, it'll eventually get scratched. It's easy enough to do touchups if that's the only problem. If the paint just flakes off, that's another story.

Fishinwrench: Hmmmm. Never even though of trying a dye on plastic! I have lots of water and alcohol analine dyes I use in my woodworking along with some natural dyes I make myself. I'll have to see if I can find some more polypro plastic and give it a try. Thanks.

[Jack Jones]

Chief, you never cease to amaze me......if ever there was an Ozarkian Natty Bumpo, it may be you, LOL

[moguy1973]

It might add some weight, but I wonder how some spray on bedliner would work? Definitely wouldn't scratch off if it would stick to the plastic.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Chief, you never cease to amaze me......if ever there was an Ozarkian Natty Bumpo, it may be you, LOL

Thank you, thank you. You are far to kind!

[jdmidwest]

I spray mine with flat enamel and it holds pretty well. I usually start with a black paddle and make tan stripes on it. Krylon makes a special camo paint that I use on all of my stuff.

One of my paddles was leaking last duck season, running down the shaft and leaking out of the center joint into the crotch of my pants. I drilled out the rivets for the blades and filled the blade and handle with some expanding foam. Pop riveted back together and it is dry as a bone now.

[BilletHead]

I have the bending branches angler slice. One word BRIGHT ORANGE ! Was not worried about color for fishing out of our Diablo kayaks. Did not like the color when I use the native sit inside when using it for hunting. Here is a photo from today. This paddle has a year of pretty abusive use hunting and fishing.

After todays teal hunt I gave it a touch up. The beauty of camo abstract type of pattern is no rhyme or reason so touching up is a breeze.

I use rustoleum camo colors. Says it bonds to plastic, maybe yes maybe no but a touch up now and again will keep it looking good. I also did the native kayak the same way. Scratches off but just a touch up now and again works. Go abstract with your painting. It's all good,

BilletHead