Painting plastic trim

AlbertDefender90 · Jun 9, 2017

Hi all,

I'm currently assembling the front wings on my 90 project and I'm about to fit the plastic trim, the light trim I have is in a matt finish plastic but I want it as gloss, same with the grill which is all ready sort of gloss but I'm sure there will be a mismatch. I have some plastic primer, will this when used with a gloss topcoat be ok without prep or is there something else I need to do first?

Thanks,

Albert

ogb · Jun 10, 2017

Give them a thorough degrease first using whatever is compatible with the subsequent paint. Then do it again! I use pre-wipe degreaser and cellulose. A good primer is essential or you're wasting your time. 2 coats of primer rubbed down with 1200 grit W&D or finer. If the final coat is metallic or pearlescent I'd give it to professional.

AlbertDefender90 · Jun 10, 2017

ogb said:
Give them a thorough degrease first using whatever is compatible with the subsequent paint. Then do it again! I use pre-wipe degreaser and cellulose. A good primer is essential or you're wasting your time. 2 coats of primer rubbed down with 1200 grit W&D or finer. If the final coat is metallic or pearlescent I'd give it to professional.

Thanks, I've already got a proper plastic primer. I can paint metallic no problem however this is going to be gloss black. I'll get some topcoat sorted out. Thanks!

julianf · Jun 10, 2017

Id say sand everything also. Just light, with some fine grit paper, but enough to take any sheen off the plastic.

Sanding it all (with water) will also make sure its entirely clean too.

Plastic for defenders is pretty cheap new - id even be tempted to buy new, and then key it up.

Oldseadog · Jun 11, 2017

^^^ Wot he said!

Ash2304 · Jun 11, 2017

Don't need to 'sand' the original plastic essentially. It just needs keying with a scotchbrite, thoroughly cleaned, apply a light but even coverage of the 'plastic primer' if it is the clear product then it'll be an adhesion promoter and not a primer, you will then have to let this dry and apply the primer over the top.

If it is an actual primer then apply a few coats allowing it dry in between.

Once completely dry, flat with wet and dry, 1500/1000 maybe if it's aerosol Top coat.

Thoroughly clean with degreaser.

Then apply top coat, if it's gloss black aerosol you won't need any kind of lacquer afterwards, just apply light even coats until it's covered, and your final coat you want to try and achieve some kind of finish with it.

AlbertDefender90 · Jun 11, 2017

Thanks for all the replies, I've got new trim anyway as the old is all cracked and brittle. Going to use plastic primer followed by regular primer then a gloss black topcoat.

Thanks

Albert

ogb · Jun 11, 2017

Are you using spray kit or a rattle can? If the former you might want to do the last coat a lot thinner than the build coats. If you're careful you can get a perfect gloss without the pain of rubbing down etc after a week or so. This is my (amateur) experience, anyway.

AlbertDefender90 · Jun 12, 2017

I was thinking using rattle cans. I have full spraying gear but I need it doing as and when rather than worrying about dragging out all my kit for each coat

Painting plastic trim

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