Advice on door plastic trim piece, pease...

Question

I always enjoy the advice everyone gives me so I'm asking again :)   We just moved into this home and after 10+ years of crud was knocked off the door, storm door and side panel, this hideous strip of plastic runs inside the window panel.  The picture didn't do it justice - it is a nasty bright nicotine-yellow color (best I can describe).  What can be done?  Can I simply paint with an outdoor paint made for plastics?  The door and this side panel needs to be painted as well - just wonder if I'll have trouble matching what I use on the plastic part with what I'll use on the door and panel, or if I should consider using a different color - that might be too much outside the box.  Open to any and all suggestions.  Thanks everyone!

B. Enne · Answer

Don't you just love surprises??? I imagine if you used a high adhesion primer that works on plastic, you could then use your regular exterior paint. You could also have the store colour match your paint for plastic, but I would opt for the 1st suggestion. Good luck and please keep us posted!

Carol · Answer

Clean it well first, then just go ahead and paint it with the same paint you are using for the rest of the door/window. It should be fine. If you are still not sure, ask for advice at a paint store.

Jane Hurdman Shupe · Answer

I

Jane Hurdman Shupe · Answer

I had the same windows and the looked the same. I painted them and it was good for a few years till my husband hilt it in for safety reasons ! As you can see in picture above ! It posted before I got to respond

Laine · Answer

I see that discoloured molding around windows all the time and wondered why people didn't paint it. I painted mine the same colour as the door with exterior paint a few years ago and it has been just fine.

Dar Wallenfelsz · Answer

Yes you paint go to a paint store and they should be able to show you what you need to get the job done

Charlotta · Answer

Clean it properly. Tape off any abutting areas. Then paint with a matching acrylic paint with
Primer. As it's a small area, you don't need to buy much.You could get by with a sample size
Container. Let it dry thoroughly before removing the tape. I have the same window door
Arrangement and my paint job has lasted years. Good luck!

Pam Rice · Answer

My front door has sidelights with this kind of plastic on them to make it look like window panes. We painted the door and the sidelights red and the plastic white. Looks great and holds up well.

KD · Answer

I did what Charlotta did at our old house. Worked out great!

Rae · Answer

Paint is definitely the easiest way to take care of this but be careful if you opt to use a different color to provide contrast to the rest of the frame or are planning to change the color of the whole frame -- plastics can warp if painted dark colors in exterior locations exposed to sunlight; look for selections with a LRV above 55 ( most paint chips have a number between 0 and 100 somewhere off to the side or in a corner; this is the LVR for that color)

Flo · Answer

We have side lites on our front and I painted them to match the trim. You could paint yours to match the door or whatever other color you have to match. Use exterior paint.

Cathy Fritz · Answer

We have the same molding to define our front door (on the face of the door). We just painted it. The first few times I used contrasting color on the molding. Now I prefer to have it the same color as the door and just brushed over it when I repainted.

Jhunt10 · Answer

Give the trim a light sanding to rough the finish then primer with a product meant for plastic & follow with a top coat  exterior rated. I would use white because dark colors will warp plastic due to the amount of sun they draw.

Anne Alexander · Answer

Sand the frame down lightly, wipe clean and paint the frame with acrylic craft paint... seal it, then paint the window with glass paint...making a real pretty pattern...
 it looks like a stained glass window...and the neat part is it can be removed with a razor blade...good for a rental... (the paint on frame can stay)...good luck...

Karen · Answer

I'd probably tape off the glass and spray the whole thing with Rustoleum's spray paint for plastic outdoor furniture.

Lori T · Answer

Use primer for plastic first.

Rosie Walsh · Answer

I think Jhunt10 has nailed your solution. I'd advise you to go to a 'real' paint store to buy the primer they recommend. My neighbor has this problem on her french doors. It is just as you described it color wise. Yuck. Easy fix though.

Inetia · Answer

Did you try magic eraser? Or scrub with oxyclean.

Lynne Reis-Napier · Answer

I sure did!

Grandmaquilts · Answer

There is a spray paint specifically for plastic. I think it is called FUSION. I have used it with great success: even painted flower pots that survived the weather in Nebraska for years. You will have to do a lot of taping to control the overspray; but I think you will be pleased with the result.

Lynda Dexter · Answer

I think having 2 colors looks great, (not the yucky yellow) but white with any other color. Paint the door to match, the plastic color you choose, looking at the grey in the brick morter, I would say the dark grey or Blue colors.

Cornelia Schott · Answer

I would go to Sherwin Williams and ask them if their exterior paint can be used on plastic. I take pictures of my projects with me to SW. This company specializes in door paint, you could call them and find it if this paint can be applied to plastic. http://www.modernmasters.com/products.asp?mode=group&gid=161

Tre1482398 · Answer

I simply painted it with the same paint I used on the doors and frames.  Believe me, I put that paint to work since I have 5 sets of French doors that open onto my back porch alone.  Lots of plastic trim to cover, but I used oil based paint 13 years ago and it's held up well.

Becky Shell · Answer

I have painted the trim with regular house paint you have to do 2 coats to get good coverage. It can be painted color of the window trim or the body of a door or it can be painted a contrasting color or white. When painting it takes a while to do all the little strips but you don't have to be so careful when painting next to the glass because the paint can be scraped off the glass with a single blade razor blade when dry

Kelly · Answer

How about a neutral color in the beige spectrum: that would compliment whatever color you opted for the door and rest of the framing? I've used Rustoleum Spray paint for this type of project, using wide painters tape to protect glass and other framework. If you wanted a little twist on the entire look you could use a stain glass paint(color or colors of your choice) on the window panes and make your own unique stained glass effect bordered with the light colored frame work.

Jean · Answer

I had this type of trim on my previous house I painted it bright white with an outdoor enamel paint & the door I painted a merlot, I loved it. It was on there for about 7 years before I moved.

JoAnna Cooper · Answer

Take window out, replace wood and re- paint it. It used to be the thing to do, dress up around the doors in homes. Now it's safety issues, I would never feel safe with small glass so easily within reach of lock on door. One well placed hit and a small reach inside and their is inside your home. Now safety matters more than ever!!!

JoAnna Cooper · Answer

I don't believe you read all of this post Nancy, if a well placed hit means a broken glass right beside door lock, then it also means a reach inside click lock, click deadbolt, and enter!

Advice on door plastic trim piece, pease...

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Advice on door plastic trim piece, pease...

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