painting ATC plastics???

[Iprefer3]

Ok so I tried asking a member that's done this before in hopes that they could enlighten me. But I guess they were just too busy or something.....ya. Anyway I was wondering if anyone has had any luck with painting over there plastics. New plastics are very expensive and shipping a killer. So please if you've had success with this please respond. Thanx

[Xpress]

Doesn't seem like it would be terribly difficult... Roughen up the surface, use a plastic friendly paint, then clear coat it.

[dksix]

With as much body panels being used in the auto industry you should try talking to someone at an auto paint store. I know that there is some extra steps that can be taken when paint car bumper covers and stuff. The best stuff out of a can is Kylon Fusion from what I've seen but even it is lacking. Maybe some type of adhesion promoter like BullDog made by Kleen Strip would help but IDK with plastic. I've use bulldog on aluminum and it made a great deal of difference with how well the paint held up. The Key would be proper surface prep. You won't get any paint to stick very well to any shinny surface but with plastic sand paper will scratch deeply. Maybe a DA sander with some 600+ grit or scotch bright or ever some very fine steel wool. If you have a local auto body supply in your area, talk to them. The ones I've dealt with have always been very helpful.

[fabiodriven]

This has been discussed many time before on here. My opinion is paint+plastics=mess. It never seems to stick well enough to withstand the abuse of off road riding. You're better off wet-sanding the plastics you have.

[JayBone]

google & youtube has a lot of stuff to view also.

[Iprefer3]

Thanx for the advice guys. I'm figuring I'll do the best prep and paint job I can and just buy the best available products I can find and hope for the best. Should have some results next week. There's gotta be a way to get it done, maybe I'll just keep experimenting with different things until I find something that works. I refuse to take it can't be done for an answer. LOL

[350Xccelerator]

Itll eventually begin to chip off.

[Iprefer3]

Ya i know it will...but it's cheaper than spending 500 on new plastics. lol

[fabiodriven]

Ya i know it will...but it's cheaper than spending 500 on new plastics. lol

Wet sand them. Presto!

[JayBone]

No paint them!!!!!! so when you realize the paint didn't work well you then get to spend tripple the time wet sanding them. ha ha. just bustin chops.

[hang&rattle]

Wet sand them. Presto!

How bad are they Iprefer3? Fabiodriven is on with this. My Tecate was white-ish, brown-ish, green-ish. I sanded with I think 200-300 grit wet sand paper and then used 3 sizes steel wool. I just wanted them presentable though, not show. And I only spent about 8 hrs. on front, tank and rear. It cleaned them up nicely, and then I scrubbed in stp son of a gun to treat them. There is a thread on how to do it perfectly, but I am to impatient and get to muddy and dusty to go that far. Think I have some pictures some where.

[QCR77]

when i was gonna paint mine, i found it odd that they sell a "plastic primer" but i have never seen or heard it mentioned on this site. if i ever do, ill go with the plastic primer and the engine enamel clear coat

[Erics350x]

Dupont makes a flex additive for rubber bumber covers that works well, i dont remember if it was for enamel or Base/Clear.

[Cert88]

Agree with Fabio.....wet sand.... never paint plastics on atc/atv's it WILL chip and look like crap in due time. And best of all its the cheapest route, alittle time consuming but very cheap, and looks great when done.

[Texas 200x]

Theres two threads on it in "WORLD CLASS HELP" at the top of Trikeslyvania. Chainsaw's is 6 pages and Billy's is interesting using Mothers polish.