Paint SOG Flash I knife handle to be Glow in the Dark?

[kremzeek]

Hello!

I posted this over at glowforum.com after much googling, but haven't gotten a response so I thought I'd try here...

I'm looking to make the handles of my SOG Flash I knife to be "zombie green" Glow in the Dark, but I'm not sure what the best way is to paint the black, "glass-reinforced nylon (GRN)" handle. The Flash I is not like other knives that have plastic scales on steel liners that can be replaced.

You can see the knife here:
http://sogknives.com/store/FSA-7.html

and here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/ima...sporting-goods

What would be the best way to paint this?

Since the handle is black, should I start with a spray-paint (white or neon green) base coat? Do I need to use a primer on the GRN handle first?

I was looking to use the "Ultra Green V10" from glowinc.com. Should I use the water-based or solvent based? Which one will deal with friction, skin oils, sweat, etc. best, and still be grippy? Would the texture of the plastic still come through? Or would the paint "fill in" the grip pattern?

Finally - would I need a "sealant" as the last coat?

Thanks in advance for any advice. I'd really like to get this right the first time!

[Mahoney]

I have not ever painted GRN, but my experience with painting many different plastics over the years is that many paints don't stick all that well to plastic, especially stuff that is handled a lot....and some plastics just can't be painted. You will probably have to experiment a bit. I would start with a plastic spray primer, the local auto parts store might be of help with that. Then contact glowinc to see which formulation they would recommend over the primer, and ask what they might suggest as a topcoat, which will help with wear. By the time you have 3 coats of "paint" on the handle, some of the texture on the handle will probably be filled in a bit. If the handle would take the heat and you can find glow material, you might also consider powder coating or Ceracoating the handle, either would probably wear longer than paint. Or just put fresh layers of paint on as needed

[kremzeek]

Thanks for the advice!