I have a positive battery cover that I want to paint black and use as a negative. What is the best way to get rid of the raised positive sign? Sanding? Scraping? Also what is the best paint product to use to get a flat satin black finish?

 

You should be able to take the bulk of it off with a razor utility knife and then sand the rest smooth. Since it's plastic you should be able to pick up any color paint you like from a hobby shop and paint away!

 

Use wet sandpaper and water with x-fine grit, that way you micro scuffed, paint will adhere better and sand marks will not show. Make certain to clean surface before painting

Dupli Colour paint, Wal-Mart about $6.00 a can

 

razor blade is probably the best idea for removing the positive sign. but you have to be extra careful sanding plastic!!! if you use anything coarser then 600 grit youll need to prime the part and then sand it again with 600 or higher wet paper. what happens is when you sand on the plastic it actually kind of creates these little furrs and when you paint over them it just looks really rough. so to get rid of those furrs youd have to use a primer filler over the sanded plastic and then when you sand the primer down it will smooth out all the roughness and furrs. the easiest way would to just be as exact as possible cutting off the sign with a razor blade and then just scuff the rest of the piece with some GREY scotch bright.

 

Krylon makes paint special for plastic. It really bonds well

 

Please verify that the cover is not made from Polyolefines (PE and PP) No paint will work on those materials without extensive preparation like Plasmatreatment.
I would spend the funds on buying a black version!

By the way - I am plastic processing engeneer and was involved in the development of the body parts for the BMW Z1!

HJM

 

wow HJM impressive glade to have you onboard