Paint Chipping on Incads

**rklarman** · 01-14-2012, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by somtng4u2c

I use cover caps on my mini lights and they don't fade or chip

Where do you get the cover caps from?

**somtng4u2c** · 01-14-2012, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by rklarman

Where do you get the cover caps from?

http://christmaslightshow.com/color-...is-lights.html

**rklarman** · 01-15-2012, 12:09 AM

Originally Posted by somtng4u2c

http://christmaslightshow.com/color-...is-lights.html

Thank you. Wish they were a bit less expensive. $55 for 1000 seems a bit high. I have about 10,000 blue mini lights out there. =\

**ebrady** · 01-15-2012, 10:46 AM

The most likely culprit for fading that comes to mind is UV exposure, this year I moved all of my colored mini lights into dark containers and started storing them in the attic where there is very little ambient light. Not sure if it will help any, just an ongoing experiment.

Chipping is mostly due to handling, and exposure to the elements when hanging. Not a lot that can be done there...

My strategy has been to throw away a subset of my blue lights every 3 or 4 years and replace with ones bought on clearance. Up until this year, this proved to be cheaper then painting or caps (I use incans), but, with clearance deals being so meager this year, I scored 0 boxes of blue minis and will now need to look into painting some of them for next year.

**somtng4u2c** · 01-15-2012, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by ebrady

The most likely culprit for fading that comes to mind is UV exposure, this year I moved all of my colored mini lights into dark containers and started storing them in the attic where there is very little ambient light. Not sure if it will help any, just an ongoing experiment.

Chipping is mostly due to handling, and exposure to the elements when hanging. Not a lot that can be done there...

My strategy has been to throw away a subset of my blue lights every 3 or 4 years and replace with ones bought on clearance. Up until this year, this proved to be cheaper then painting or caps (I use incans), but, with clearance deals being so meager this year, I scored 0 boxes of blue minis and will now need to look into painting some of them for next year.

Good luck on painting as I have done that and the paint doe's not stick very good unless you clean each bulb with laquer thinner before painting.

**flstc_93** · 01-19-2012, 09:56 AM

I like the idea of color caps, but they are pricey. I was wondering if anyone has thought of or tried a rubber dip. Plasti Dip and Loctite Color Guard are two products that are used to dip tools and such. I am wondeering if they are translucent enough for lights. It appears that both can withstand the heat from an incan bulb and the loctite says it has UV protection. both sell around $10 for a 14 oz can. loctite has several color choices, plasti dip has a kit you can make your own colors. Could be a neat option if it works...

**51fordf2** · 01-20-2012, 01:16 AM

Originally Posted by flstc_93

I like the idea of color caps, but they are pricey. I was wondering if anyone has thought of or tried a rubber dip.

Tried it. PlastiDip, anyway. Doesn't work at all. Would work great for blackening out sections you didn't want anyone to see...

I have used several paints, Krylon X-Metal, Metalcast spray paint, and Delta Permenamal transparent glass paint. All have worked well for me. I haven't had any problem with paint not sticking. I don't bother not trying to paint the wires too much - just take a piece of paper with a hole in it, and put it over the bulb - I figure by the time the paint bothers the wires, I'll be replacing the light string, anyway. As for the Permenamel, it's very time consuming, but get the most even coverage out of it.

I also use the X-Metals and Metalcast on rope lights, and it works great, as well.

YMMV,

R

**llewis** · 01-26-2012, 01:20 PM

I think chipping and fading is a problem with them. I've not had any trouble with blue LEDs though. I would definitely get something to spray over the top, maybe even some fixative to see if that might hold them.

**docchop** · 01-26-2012, 04:51 PM

Twelve days ago I sprayed half of a new 100 count string of multi-color incandescents with a UV inhibitive clear acrylic. It's pretty tough stuff, I think it's Krylon. Anyway the string is in full sun and it's on a timer so it turns on for three hours each day. I took a bunch of before pictures and will take after pictures for comparison once it's been outside for thirty days. If the sprayed uv results are favorable I'm thinking of an abrasion tumble test of some kind to see if the spray prevents chipping and flaking. After that it's back on the fence for another thirty days. Lather, rinse and repeat until failure. I haven't looked closely at the lights other than to see that they are still working. Can't wait to see the results.

**dslynx** · 01-26-2012, 05:25 PM

Can't wait to find out your results.. I don't see any reason not to spray everything with UV resistant clear if it works. I e-mailed Krylon asking if it might be a fire hazard before I read your post.. but I guess not if you have already run lights with the coating on them.

EDIT: Did you do anything special to prep them for spraying (clean them) or just hose them down with the UV resistant clear?