Painting a Pelican Box????

[Every Miles A Memory]

I have a Pelican 1550 that I use a lot when out boating. I've noticed the last few times that we've been out on the water and the box is sitting for long periods in the sun, it gets steaming hot.

I'm sure this isn't good for the camera gear inside and was wondering if I could simply paint the Plastic with the new Spray Paint that is out for plastic Lawn Furniture? I was thinking if I sprayed it White, it would keep the temps down rather than that black.

What do you think? Will it hold up or will it just rub off and end up making the box look pretty nasty? I tried sending a question to Pelican themselves, but their customer service is pretty non-existent when you send them questions

 

[AxeAngel]

Pat,

Sell it and buy a new one in yellow. If the black one goes overboard, its very tough to spot a black case at night in the water.

-Sam

 

[4xdog]

I think white would reduce the heat load on the Peli case quite a bit. It would almost certainly get scuffed and scraped, but acquiring a certain patina is part of having well used equipment.

I have a Rimova suitcase that's gone around the world with me more times than I can count -- it's beat to heck, but it always gets comments about the stories it could tell for the miles it's covered. I have an ex-Camel Trophy Pelican case that is partially painted yellow in addition to the heat-imprinted CT logo. I'm very happy to have the scratches and scrapes on that case. A worn white Peli would be the same before too long. Give it a try.

 

[BigAl]

]Krylon sells a rattle can made for plastic. Fusion brand, I did my plastic fender flares and it is holding up well.

 

[Honu]

I would paint it ?

Cheaper in the long run and yes it will scratch etc
Had some buddies who had theirs painted and scratched up looking from being on dive boats holding photo gear

 

[Glorybigs]

Or just have it wrapped in vinyl, the lid is the only thing that really needs the white to reflect

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

I guess since it's black now, if I painted it white, the scratches would turn it into a sort of Winter Camo look:elkgrin:

I'll have to give it a try and post up some photos of what it looks like afterwards.

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

Or just have it wrapped in vinyl, the lid is the only thing that really needs the white to reflect

That would be cool to have the lid wrapped in vinyl with a cool logo on it. I think that could be a new business for hard sided luggage so you dont lose it at the airport and it would be a way of personalizing your luggage :victory:

 

[tdesanto]

Pat,

Sell it and buy a new one in yellow. If the black one goes overboard, its very tough to spot a black case at night in the water.

-Sam

I think this is an excellent suggestion. If yellow isn't available in the size you need, maybe the orange one is.

 

[goodtimes]

That would be cool to have the lid wrapped in vinyl with a cool logo on it. I think that could be a new business for hard sided luggage so you dont lose it at the airport and it would be a way of personalizing your luggage :victory:

It's not that expensive. Any decent sign shop would be able to do it for you. If you have a printed logo (multiple colors), be sure they put a clear laminate over it.

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

Pat,

Sell it and buy a new one in yellow. If the black one goes overboard, its very tough to spot a black case at night in the water.

-Sam

I thought about that, but I already have the box and it works. I got a great deal on it off of a fellow member on here, so it would cost a lot more than a can of spray paint to go to a Orange or Yellow one

Plus, it would draw a ton of attention where a white one would blend in somewhat

 

[AFSOC]

I thought about that, but I already have the box and it works. I got a great deal on it off of a fellow member on here, so it would cost a lot more than a can of spray paint to go to a Orange or Yellow one

I agree Pat, paint makes better sense but after reading this thread I can't get the wrap idea out of my head. Soooo many creative possibilities.

 

[AeroNautiCal]

Why not just put the case into a white fabric or plastic bag when it's in the sun?

 

[Echodawg]

Check this out:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=195528

 

[robert]

I've got one I painted OD green. I washed it, cleaned it with something (probably brake cleaner or alcohol- it's been some years) then shot it with spray paint. It hasn't held up that well but I reshoot it every now and then. It's a Pelican case after all so I really don't care and I expect it to get beat up.

If I were worried about how it looked or wanted more durability I'd shoot it with Duracoat. It holds up pretty darn well on plastic gunstocks so I'd venture it'd do well on the case.