paint plastics with good results?

[zx10crazy]

I've got a 200x I'm throwing together.That has some pretty rough plastics but are all intact with no cracks I was wondering if anyone has tried the krylon plastic spray paint or something similar with good results? I've seen machines in the past that have been spray painted but it doesn't hold up flakes and chips soon after being painted. If this were a machine I was going to bring back I wouldn't even think about using spray paint but I don't see reason to spend 250$ on new plastics when the ones I have are all there just lack cosmetically. Hopefully some one can help Thanks

[DohcBikes]

As long as you properly prep the workpiece, the fusion paint works well. I recommend using the clear coat as well. There are people who will say not to. Sometimes its the only option if you wanna use old plastics but want em to look nice.

No matter what, any paint on plastic will eventually chip. As to how long it will last, it all depends on the prep, thickness(use lots of coats) and care/storage of the trike.

[dougspcs]

I did my 350x that the PO camo painted last year with reasonable results with Krylon plastic..

From this:

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To this:

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I'd give it a 8 out of 10 results..don't be lazy on your prep work!!

[kebby28]

I used the krylon on my side covers for my 250es. I thought I preped it pretty good using sand paper but they are flaking after 6 months. They have small cracks and heat and flex so its hard to get any paint to stick that.

[fabiodriven]

You're much better off wet sanding them in my opinion. Paint+plastic=mess

[generallee2005]

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/24247-Sanding-restoring-plastic.-How-to-guide

I went this route. I also painted the black stripe on the cover over the gas tank of my YT125 with a latex paint designed to stick to plastics specially. It's held up good, but where my little co-pilot's shoes hit the paint is coming off. A latex will expand & contract better with the plastic with heat & cold, & flex better too. Most all spray paints are oils, since latex aerosols don't spray good, & oils just will not flex or expand, oils dry to hard & will crack or flake eventually.

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[ATC90JAY]

Check out my pics I just painted my 200X a week ago...I have painted a few things with the krylon....this is what you need to do.....prep is the key..I painted a pink barbie battery operated corvette for my daughter 4 years ago and after all of the abuse it still looks good!!!!!! once again prep is the key........I spent 30 bucks on paint and 1.99 on simple green.....

1. wash plastics with simple green and a non scratch sponge....They put an oil in the molds in manufacturing this will wash it out.
2. sand start with 80 grade...then 180....then smooth out with 220
3. when finished sanding wipe good with damp towl and dry well.
4. put your first coat on not to thick hold can 8 inches away and let dry for 15 to 20 min
5. Keep laying coats 15 to 20 min apart hold can 6 inches away good sweeping motion... I layed 6 coats...7 on the tank...Let me know how it turns out

[dougspcs]

Check out my pics I just painted my 200X a week ago...I have painted a few things with the krylon....this is what you need to do.....prep is the key..I painted a pink barbie battery operated corvette for my daughter 4 years ago and after all of the abuse it still looks good!!!!!! once again prep is the key........I spent 30 bucks on paint and 1.99 on simple green.....

1. wash plastics with simple green and a non scratch sponge....They put an oil in the molds in manufacturing this will wash it out.
2. sand start with 80 grade...then 180....then smooth out with 220
3. when finished sanding wipe good with damp towl and dry well.
4. put your first coat on not to thick hold can 8 inches away and let dry for 15 to 20 min
5. Keep laying coats 15 to 20 min apart hold can 6 inches away good sweeping motion... I layed 6 coats...7 on the tank...Let me know how it turns out

Hey Jay, I like the attention to detail but a couple things..

1st, 80 grit on plastic would make it look like a figure skater went to town on it..you're are only trying to remove the oxydize layer and this is plastic not old barn lumber. I'd say start around a 180 to 220 depending on how bad the plastic is and work your way to a 400-600 and sanding with water is a must. This way you wouldn't need 6 coats of paint, 2-3 tops!

2nd, the cleaning should go after the sanding, not before..

Just my opinion from doing my own..

PS..you're pics never made it with your post.

[DohcBikes]

Gotta agree with Doug on the sandpaper grades and the cleaning after sanding. Still gonna use six coats though, at least!

Aerosol paint goes on REALLY THIN. Color coverage is one thing, but many can jobs don't last because people don't use enough. Keep in mind that almost ALL automotive style paint is SPRAY paint, its just that a spray gun puts it on thicker than a spray can.

[honda atc guy]

FWIW, I wouldn't waste my time painting plastic. I went with the sanding/wet sanding and buffer route and they turned out fantastic! It takes a lot more time but the end result makes it all worth while.

[fabiodriven]

I try to steer more people to wet sanding. If you're going to be sanding them anyways, you're much better off just continuing with the sanding and then your plastics will be as good as new. Paint never sticks well to plastic, ever.

[honda200x1987]

I agree with the previous post, it is BEST to wet sand your plastics then polish them. You might start with 1000 grit wet sand paper depending on how deep the scratches are and how particular you are, then go to 1500 then 2000 grit wet sand paper then buff with synthetic wool. If you have any questions just IM me, Here is a thread I started some time back: http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/107199-Polished-1987ATC-200X-front-fender-succesfully-!!!

[honda200x1987]

1986 350x white fender http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/111613-1986-350x-front-fender-finished!/page2?highlight=350x+fender and the 1985 350x red fender http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/107779-350X-fender?highlight=350x+fender

[ATC90JAY]

My bad I did clean after sanding......But I had a great results with the 80 180 then 220! and I did 220 the hell out of the rear fenders!! My tank and headlight looks like I just bought them new and fenders look great! You can use higher grade if you need to and I like the wet sanding idea..Dohc is correct you will need 6 to 7 coats the Krylon fills in nice that way.. I have use Krylon a ton and it never let me down yet ! Since I painted i rode in 3 to 23 degree weather in the snow and woods and I have not had any problems even after smacking some tree branches and I wipe down with a wet towel and dry with a soft towel when I put it in the garage. Even if you get any damage you can always sand and paint again, I had fun doing it!! Also I had a crack in the front fender I used lock tite plastic and it fixed it perfectly.... If they don't turn out you can get a new set front and rear for under 300 bucks! Good painting brother!!!!!!!:TrikesOwn

[dougspcs]

I try to steer more people to wet sanding. If you're going to be sanding them anyways, you're much better off just continuing with the sanding and then your plastics will be as good as new. Paint never sticks well to plastic, ever.

Depending on what results you are expecting I would agree..

Krylon for plastic seems to be a different thing from your average can of spray paint.

Since I was looking to just clean up my rider 350x and get rid of the ugly, I was pretty happy with the results of the relatively easy sand and paint method. About 2-3 hours total. There are a couple of spots where the adhesion wasn't perfect and it's begun to chip (front fender). Probably my fault for not properly cleaning. But 90% of the paint is great, standing up well even in the high traffic areas like the fender tops..this new plastic paint might surprise you Fabio. Follow the directions and it's pretty good..results are all about your attention to the prep work.

But if your intention is to restore to orginal..then no question. Prepare to spend a couple days on it wet sanding!! No argument there!!

Now for me if a couple years down the road I want to do that full on restore, I just stripe it down and get out the elbow grease. In the mean time it looks a ton better than before.

Who the heII camo's a 350x anyway?? That's just wrong!!

[DohcBikes]

Fusion paint is a hot mix that burns into the plastic, it works incomparably better than regular aerosol for wood or metal. Many, many people have used it with excellent results.

[pipeline triker]

My wife is redoing an 81 250R for herself and the rear fenders we have, have been painted 3 times all differant colors. Takes some time to do it the right way, but painted plastics go from looking not that great the day they are done to worse everyday after that. Get some good razer blades and start scraping and wet sanding. if you want it to look nice and stay nice.

[zx10crazy]

Thanks for the tips I think I'll try both methods the spray paint on my 200x and I'm going to try the wet sanding and buffing on my 250r worst case I'm back at square one eBay for an aftermarket set Thanks guys I'll let you know how I make out

[fabiodriven]

I've seen more and more people posting with good results on the plastic paint so they must have come a long way Doug. My personal preference, I'd much rather wet sand. Why do it any other way if you can make it good as new in my opinion.

[dougspcs]

Why do it any other way if you can make it good as new in my opinion.

Simple answer?? We are an inherently lazy species!!

[Daniel86]

I used to work for a company that made parts for the Ford F-150 and the flexable parts we used a product called Adhesion Promoter. It allows the paint to stay flexable and not crack under normal conditions. It can be bought at local auto parts suppliers and like others have said prep is the key 75% prep 25% paint.

[DohcBikes]

That's an excellent point, when painting cars that require the plastic to be painted body color, I also use adhesion promoter. I do believe krylon fusion already contains adhesion promoter.

[webbch]

I've seen more and more people posting with good results on the plastic paint so they must have come a long way Doug. My personal preference, I'd much rather wet sand. Why do it any other way if you can make it good as new in my opinion.

One pretty good reason - suppose you have a blue '84 110 and need rear fenders because the PO shaved them? Good luck finding 'em, and pay a pretty penny if you do. Or....grab a pair of red ones much easier, and paint 'em.

[jakestrawn]

I agree if u dont have any cracks u should be able to sand those back into shape.

[bryan84]

what kind of paint for fenders??

[honda atc guy]

Whoever coined the phrase “Looks good from far and far from good” was likely talking about painted plastic at the time.

:p now that's funny!

[Poco Loco]

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My take on painting plastics is, dont do it unless your gonna put out the big bucks for the good stuff. This is a customers Ryno that I did a while back. Still looking good after 4yrs. No scratches or chips or flaking. If you have ugly plastics and are on a budget, sand and buff. Dont paint em. It just makes em uglier.

[zx10crazy]

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[NJPCRX]

I used adhesion promoter and chevy orange engine paint. The only thing I did wrong was used scotchbrite to scuff it up and it left a couple deep scratches that you can see under the paint. It was a new fender, the only reason I painted it was I needed it to be orange to match the rest of the bike. Couldn't find Daytona Orange spray paint, but chevy orange was as close as I could get.

[250Racer]

I have had good results with automotive paint with alot of flex agent in it.

[Nason]

I used krylon on some plastics. Took every step before hand and the spray came out great. I decided to clear it aswell, I never used krylon clear. I think it was tremclad. Had a horrible reaction and ate the hell out of my nice paint job. They weren't atv plastics but plastic is plastic. I ended up getting them painted at a shop for barely more then I spent on all my material. I wouldn't spray anything plastic now. Wetsand. There's also a video online I saw a guy using a razor blade on a motor cross fender that was all white from sun exposure. Seemed like a quick fix. I've never attempted that though.