Painting ropelights?

dropbear_luke

Full time elf
Joined
Dec 30, 2011
Messages
115
Location
Toowoomba
Hi,
Ive been making some new designs out of clear/white ropelights. I was wondering if i could, and if so what paint to use to paint the specific parts of the ropelight for more definition. I dont want something too opaque that the light wont shine through. I know u can buy special bulb paint, to paint individual bulbs, but what about ropelight? any ideas? what have u all done?
 

Karob

Let there be Light!
Joined
Dec 28, 2010
Messages
211
Location
Mawson Lakes, South Australia
I was told by a guy who does static lights that in the past he has used glass paint to paint clear ropelight when repairing sections. Not sure where you can get this but may be something to try out and leave out for a while and see what the sun does to the paint, no harm in trying it out and posting back the results.
 

dropbear_luke

Full time elf
Joined
Dec 30, 2011
Messages
115
Location
Toowoomba
yeah thanks, i was thinking oil based paint, because the water based ones might run in the queesnland rain. but ill keep looking around :)
 

Robbo

Full time elf
Joined
Dec 10, 2010
Messages
216
Location
Hastings-Victoria
only problem with oil based is drying time, you can get some enamel based acrylics these days....unsure if they will be suitable for ropelight tho
 

JPB

Full time elf
Joined
May 13, 2010
Messages
352
Location
Glenwood
I use the bulb paint for my rope lights without problems. It dries fast which is good because it sometimes takes a few coats to get a deep colour.

Jon

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk
 

t.jo13

New elf
Joined
Dec 9, 2011
Messages
3
some paint I have used with good results on clear rope ligths and incandesents.is made by krylon 2303-x-metals spray paint. It works really well and I even used it on a xeon strobe for a test and there was no washout.
 

DanielG

New elf
Joined
Feb 9, 2012
Messages
1
I have used the Krylon stained glass paint, it has worked well and is sticky for a few days until it really dries. Get it from some craft stores, however the cans are small and quite expensive. I am looking for an alternative at the moment.

Daniel.
 

DanoNJ

Full time elf
Joined
May 12, 2010
Messages
170
Location
Monroe Twp., NJ
Krylon is about the best. There is a work around regarding the dry time. but honestly can not remember it right now. Clean the rope first with something like acetone or mineral spirts.
 

Greg Young

New elf
Joined
Feb 18, 2011
Messages
39
Location
Holland, New York
Krylon spray stains work great to color sections of clear ropelight, as folks above posted. They allow a lot of light to pass, unlike paints like Fusion, etc.
Here's a little tip I have been using for quite a few years when staining clear rope - the colored stain will dry much faster, and not remain tacky for days, if you first spray the rope with clear krylon/similar paint.
It bonds to the plastic surface, and drys quickly. The stain is then applied over it, and drying time is about 25% of what it otherwise would be. There is no additional impact on light transmission.
Say goodbye to sticky ropelight/smudged fingers!
Greg
 
Top