As title states, I want to paint the plastic trim behind the license plate because the paint is peeling in some areas, leaving what I think to be plastic chrome. I've never spray painted anything before, so I'm a bit cautious on how to do this. Do I need to sand down all of the paint first so that all of the chrome plastic will be exposed? Also, what spray paint would last a long time. I was looking at the glossy black Rustoleum plastic spray paint to hopefully color-match my Onyx Black LX470. I have no idea on how to tackle this so any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
How to Paint Plastic License Plate Cover Trim?
- Thread starter fumetsu
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Hmm... Pictures?
I am also interested in this but haven't had a chance to research yet. I want to black out all the chrome on my LX, and in researching, it looks like the visible chrome trim and the backstop for the license plate are all one (pricey) part. With this in mind, not something you want to run tons of experiments on.
Lots of people on here have done similar projects with PlastiDip (try searching the 100 series forum for "PlastiDip" or "emblems") and see what you think?
Lots of people on here have done similar projects with PlastiDip (try searching the 100 series forum for "PlastiDip" or "emblems") and see what you think?
Definitely try PlastiDip first. Cheap, super easy to use and clean-up is a breeze. Minimal surface prep (read: none). Just wipe off the surface to remove loose dirt, and spray away.
My entire truck is coated in that stuff, including my side moldings and rear bumper. It's held up pretty well...but spray at least 4 coats on. I went cheap on the side molding and only did two coats, and door dings from my kids opening the suburban's doors into it have created small tears in the coating. I'm going to rip it off and re-do the moldings with a thicker coat eventually.
My entire truck is coated in that stuff, including my side moldings and rear bumper. It's held up pretty well...but spray at least 4 coats on. I went cheap on the side molding and only did two coats, and door dings from my kids opening the suburban's doors into it have created small tears in the coating. I'm going to rip it off and re-do the moldings with a thicker coat eventually.
If you remove it, what does it look like underneath?
Plastidip for sure. It's amazing. I'm literally going to spray the entire truck.
I do not recommend taking the trim off. My 2000 had some bubbling chrome plating and the old adhesive was impossible to remove. I had to hit it with all kinds of tools and chemicals.
Plastidip and forget about it.
I do not recommend taking the trim off. My 2000 had some bubbling chrome plating and the old adhesive was impossible to remove. I had to hit it with all kinds of tools and chemicals.
Plastidip and forget about it.
Can you still take it through a carwash? There is some great info about repairing plastidip nicks and tears on dipyourcar.com, but I worry that the repairs may end up being frequent unless you handle it with care?
Repair on license plate trim? Not likely IMO.
It's surprisingly tough. Car wash is fine. Pressure washer is fine. It's repeated scrubbing without soap that wears it down.
Also it's 7 bucks, non permanent, and easy to mask.
The only mistake you can make is not using enough layers. You need a thick layer to peel off the excess reliably.
It's surprisingly tough. Car wash is fine. Pressure washer is fine. It's repeated scrubbing without soap that wears it down.
Also it's 7 bucks, non permanent, and easy to mask.
The only mistake you can make is not using enough layers. You need a thick layer to peel off the excess reliably.
Everything he said. Mine has been applied for going on a year now, and has held up beautifully to the car wash (high pressure touchless and automatic brush washes) as well as the nasty mag chloride de-icing crap that CO sprays all over the highways during the winter. It's amazing stuff, nothing seems to phase it.
I'm going to do my wheels in it too. I don't expect it to last that long in a mud/rock or otherwise high abrasive off-road environment, but I hardly ever wheel my rig these days. It should last long enough to be worth the work.
