Nylon Compatible Paint 1

[kkw93]

Before reading this - please forgive my ignorance.

I have a question that I am unable to figure out on my own. I'm an accountant, not an engineer, but I came across this group while researching my problem and thought "Hey, I'm sure someone here can help".

I have this kitchen utensil:

http://store.calphalon.com/calphalon-nylon-utensils-2-pc-small-slotted-spoon-and-turner-set/618747

(I have also attached a photo).

I want to paint the handle (and possible the rest of the utensil a different color). It needs to withstand high heat and my dishwasher and be food safe. I know getting a compatible paint is key, but I can not figure out which paint is best, on my own. In addition, the handle seems to be a softer material (maybe silicone), so I will need a different paint for that. If this wasn't something that would touch my food and be put through an immense amount of turmoil - I wouldn't put as much thought into it. I just want to make sure I get it right.

I contacted Calphalon to see what each part if made of, since the description isn't too helpful, I have yet to hear back from them.

I know this is not a priority and is probably an elementary problem - but myself and my matching kitchen thank you.

-Kimberly

Oh - and any help on prepping and sealing is greatly appreciated also, I haven't even looked into that.

 

[racookpe1978]

Very, very tough problem.

The utensil is flexible, used in food and during food preparation, and needs to be machine-washed, machine-agitated (banged around). Since it's flexible, the coating (paint) has to be flexible also - and very few are. Since its used in food preparation, it scrapes the bowl, the pot, and edge of the pan - and so that's a scratch point - very small area but very high localized pressure. (NOT "hanging on the wall safe from all wear but nice to look at"!)

Then, because it's being used in food, NOTHING can come off or flake. So, the penalty for wearing off of a tool surface is - well, nothing but a used-looking tool. The penalty for paint coming off of a piece of furniture is a worn spot on the chair arm. Not good-looking, but no penalty. Some comes off of a utensil, and you eat it. The next area is exposed, and it fails too. And you eat that paint as well.

 

[kkw93]

Exactly. That is why I considered painting the handle, exclusively. But I can not tell by holding the utensil if it is Silicone or a softer version of Nylon. At least if I only painted the handle - I wouldn't have to worry so much about eating paint. But I would love to paint the whole utensil. I think by the end of this - it will cost more to paint the utensils than to buy new ones. But that's how all my DIY projects turn out, and I'm just fine with that. No fun in just buying new ones.

 

[btrueblood]

FWIW, nylon can be dyed with household-type dyes (RIT being one such brand) (oh, and thanks to Pat Primmer for this info., may he RIP). Of course, dyeing a black part will probably not create much color change...

 

[kkw93]

Could I some how bleach it or do something to remove as much color as I can, then dye it?

 

[btrueblood]

Possibly. Try it (household bleach, maybe peroxide). A bleach strong enough to oxidize the black pigment is likely going to cause some degradation of the base polymer too, however. Go find some un-pigmented nylon utensils, if there are such? IF you just want to color-code any tool, buy some plasti-dip, or some colored heat shrink tubing.

 

[mcgyvr]

plasti-dip or shrink tubing is the best solution IMO..

 

[kkw93]

Where can I get either of those from?

 

[mcgyvr]

Google..
Don't know your location but in the US every hardware store/improvement store will have plasti-dip.. and shrink tubing can be ordered from thousands of suppliers online and all sorts of colors/IDs..

 

[kkw93]

Thanks!

 

[racookpe1978]

Now, be careful using that heat shrink tubing. Electric supply houses, Grainger, Fastenal will be better than Ace Hdwr or Home Depot or Lowes for the bigger diameters.

My large diameter heat shrink tubing requires a good hot source to shrink the colored wrapper => don't burn the utensil. Heat gun better than a fuel burner. These are for electric wires, so the pallette selection won't be very wide - red, blue, green, yellow, black - not pastels!.

Plastic dip will fill holes and hollows better, but you need a deep container to get the whole handle stuck in. Not much of a color selection if I recall.

Hint: use the narrowest deep cylinder you can find: Too big a diameter will take a LOT of plastic dip to fill deep enough. And, once poured, you've got problems trying to re-seal it.

 

[tbuelna]

Using shrink tubing over the handle will be a cheap, quick and easy option. But it may not hold up over time with the environment described. Shrink tubing will also have a surface that is relatively dense and smooth, unlike the soft, tacky, textured surface of the molded elastomer material.

From the picture provided it looks like the handle has been over-molded with a thin layer of soft elastomer material to provide a certain tactile feel in your hand. If you want a different color of the handle surface you could over-mold another thin layer of the same elastomer material in the desired color. You'd need to make a small aluminum mold to do this, but if you intend to modify a large number of parts the mold cost would be worthwhile.

 

[1gibson]

Plasti-dip comes in plenty of colors these days, and is available in "spray paint" cans at home improvement stores. For best color selection, check online, people paint their vehicles with it for a matte finish. It will stretch/tear rather than flake/chip; if it makes it through the dishwasher it should last awhile.

Another option would be "sugru" which might get expensive, but I've found to be pretty durable. Unsure of current color availability. This would add noticeable thickness.