What is the best method for painting plastic body mold. I tried using Krylon Fusion as a base coat and then spraying the factory color over it, but it doesn't stick well at all. Should I apply heat to the paint after spraying it? Buff coats before spraying another? Also, is it worth putting a clear coat on there? I can't get anything remotely close to the factory shine. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Painting Plastic Body Molding
- Thread starter JJS
- Start date
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My only experience with painting plastics is from dirt bike fenders. I have used SEM Plasti-Scuff ( i think that is the name) and a red sctotch brite pad. The stuff comes out like SoftScrub- sort of a liquid. Wash it off, dry it, and prime with a flexible primer, like a bumper primer. There are probably paint guys on here with better info, but this worked for me. I rattle canned over it, and it still looks great several years later.
cleanliness is key when painting plastic. I did my father in laws spoiler on his ford pickup, and he did NOT have it 100% clean.
I primed it with a conventional primer. What will happen if your substrate is not clean is , it will (paint) separate at that spot.
So- clean , prime , and I used a 2 component urethane, and it is still nice 3 years later.
I primed it with a conventional primer. What will happen if your substrate is not clean is , it will (paint) separate at that spot.
So- clean , prime , and I used a 2 component urethane, and it is still nice 3 years later.
Wile E Coyote
Out in the streets, they call it murder!
Getting any silicone off before the 1st coat is the key. That's the main contaminant on plastics that f's up paint. SEM and others make a specific plastic prep (SEM's is in a spray can and worked very well for me) that will get it properly cleaned. Just make sure any degreaser you use is safe for plastics.
NAPA has a product called Econo Prep. It is a wax and grease remover that is used for prepping surfaces before painting. I used it on my hood to strip the wax and to remove the dust before the final coat. Below, is the thread showing my hood. I must add that before I did any work, I washed the hood with Dawn blue dish detergent. It is very good at removing wax and grease. Some hard core detailers wash their cars with this stuff to strip the old wax.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=166088
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=166088
Whatever you use be darn sure it is meant for plastic. Some prep cleaners specifically say "not on plastic".. why? well they could melt the plastic. But worse case IMOP is flash off and static discharge. You will cause a fire and get burns.
Dupont/ PPG and other auto paints sell plastic prep. Then you spray it with an automotive paint in the colour of your choice. Ask the paint retailer.
I have painted plastic trim in planes specifically with a plastic version of automotive paint, using adhesion products and preps like they recommend.
Dupont/ PPG and other auto paints sell plastic prep. Then you spray it with an automotive paint in the colour of your choice. Ask the paint retailer.
I have painted plastic trim in planes specifically with a plastic version of automotive paint, using adhesion products and preps like they recommend.
