Jamtastic3 Posted April 18, 2005 Share Posted April 18, 2005 Hi, just a quick question here.Can I spray paint fairy light cable with white spray piant for a white room? I can never seem to find the white cabled stuff (especially now since its April) so I'm thinking along the cheap route of spraying the black cable white. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter Posted April 18, 2005 Share Posted April 18, 2005 No No No. Spray paint on cables makes them brittle which can, at best, cause cracks in the insulation, and at worst, cause it to break down completely. Think about wrapping it with PVC tape, or perhaps something else along those lines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazlights Posted April 18, 2005 Share Posted April 18, 2005 Think about wrapping it with PVC tape, or perhaps something else along those lines. Hahahah! volunteering your skills there? Spray em..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lightnix Posted April 18, 2005 Share Posted April 18, 2005 Peter is right. There are all sorts of nasty solvents in spray paint, which can seriously degrade some kinds of cable insulation, especially the cheapo stuff they use on fairy lights. What I've done in the past is stick a short strip of PVC tape on one side of the cable between each bulb, then stick another short strip on the other side, so that the sticky sides of each strip stick to each other. Smooth them down so that they stick right up to the cable, then trim some of the surplus off with scissors or a Stanley knife. It's time consuming, but much less dangerous and a neat result can be obtained with a little care and attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the kid Posted April 18, 2005 Share Posted April 18, 2005 Why spray why not nromal paint? or does this have the same effect? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superstar LD Posted April 18, 2005 Share Posted April 18, 2005 some paints also react with the insulation, and in most cases the paint either breaks up, or doesnt stick, in the worst state the paint wont even dry!! I would try and get some lights with white flex, or failing that use PVC tape as advised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mush Posted April 18, 2005 Share Posted April 18, 2005 Hi, just a quick question here.Can I spray paint fairy light cable with white spray piant for a white room? I can never seem to find the white cabled stuff (especially now since its April) so I'm thinking along the cheap route of spraying the black cable white. Cheers<{POST_SNAPBACK}> Paint will either flake or key so well, it melts the insulation. Edinburgh has 2 year round Christmas shops, Canongate and Victoria Street might be worth trying, or bit of online shopping, google is your friend http://www.christmastimeuk.com/browse.php?..._id=2&subcat=10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Ship Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 Not sure what fairy cable is, can someone please explain? On the other hand, I can attest to normal spray paint not sticking well to cable. But especially if cheap thermoset or thermoplastic cable, a spray paint from Kraylon or RustOleum designed for plastic should have good results on plastic cable or other types of cable. Otherwise you might try dye - though that could have it's own problems. My cable suppliers will dye my cables for me if I have time and budget. Perhaps in asking if it's possible for your supplier to do so, it might be the best option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lightnix Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 Just had another thought: how about spiral wrap? RS Components do it in white, in lengths of 30m and diameters from 1/8" up to 1". Click here to view the product. I reckon that could be what you're after, it probably won't work out much dearer than spray paint, you won't have to wait for it to dry and will be a lot less messy :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Baldwin Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 Not sure what fairy cable is, can someone please explain?<{POST_SNAPBACK}> "Fairy lights" are christmas tree lights, like these:http://www.homefree.co.uk/assets/homefree/L/Q/Q3852fp704.jpgusually supplied (at least in the UK) with dark green cable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPete Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 ...google is your friend http://www.christmastimeuk.com/browse.php?..._id=2&subcat=10<{POST_SNAPBACK}> Just to say, I've bought from these people before - had no problems and super quick delivery! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peternewman Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 Just had another thought: how about spiral wrap? RS Components do it in white, in lengths of 30m and diameters from 1/8" up to 1". Click here to view the product. I reckon that could be what you're after, it probably won't work out much dearer than spray paint, you won't have to wait for it to dry and will be a lot less messy :D<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Thanks to RS's dynamic website, you will need to go to RS and enter 3430050 in the search box. PN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lightnix Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 Thanks to RS's dynamic website, you will need to go to RS and enter 3430050 in the search box.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Thanks, peter - the curse of modern technology strikes again :D Alternatively, search RS for spiral wrap. The product I was referring to is called "UV Stabilised Polyethylene Spiral Binding" and should be on the first page of results, top right. Apologies for the confusion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calder Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 Why not go to a manufacturer, such as Noma Christmas (this is where we get them from). This will allow you to choose the colour, length and spacing on the string. Hope this helps Calder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamtastic3 Posted April 19, 2005 Author Share Posted April 19, 2005 Cheers for all the replies guys!!! Most important people around :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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