Can you Paint a plastic Canoe?

[CrappieAttitude]

I inherited a red coleman canoe and was wondering if anyone has ever tried painting one before. It is the plastic Ram-X material. If any success has ever been made, what are the steps I should take in order to make the paint stick.

Thanks in advance!

CA

[Islandlaker]

Go to menards or any paint store and ask for a paint that is water proof, and can stick to plastic. It also never hurts to rough up the plastic with some sand paper.

[overdalimit]

I would have to say that no paint will ever be as durable as the plastic itself...in other words it will scratch. If you don't mind, why are you painting it? Color change or just to spiff it up? If you are just trying to make it look new again I bet it could be sanded and polished to make it look 90% better. To change color you will need to sand it smooth and use automotive grade paints with flex agents in them to get adhesion.

[Neighbor_guy]

You can try, but it wont stick. It may hold for a little while, but not long. The heat/cold cycle and adheasion issues will result in sheeting.

[Powerstroke]

I also have one of these canoes and the main reason I would like to paint it is to not have it be bright red. Its not so much about sticking. I think the biggest concern is with the flexing. The ramX canoes are popular because they flex and move around obstacles.

Let me know if you paint yours. I'm curious if it will work.

[Hafnutz]

If you paint that type of plastic it will look good for a week or two. Then when it starts scratching and peeling off you'll have a real mess on your hands with no easy cure. Best to leave it alone.

[Jim43]

A Stain would be about the only coating or Die to stick to RamX plastic without peeling off. But scratches will always be a problem.