Painting the Plastics

[r_ramos]

I'm kinda new to bikes, I've had my 05 xb12scg since sept. of 07, and I think that this forum is amazing with all the info thats being passed around. I wanted to see if anyone could help me out with how I would go about painting the plastics of mike without making it look like crap. What kind of paint is best and would I have to sand anything down? Or would this work at all?
Thanks in advance!

 

[slag kustom]

sand parts following the paint mfg recommendations and use proper primer for the plastic type.

 

[urbanarcana]

I am a autobody tech and painter @ a Toyota Collision shop here in Canada. When using on plastic you need two things. Physical and chemical adhesion.

Make sure it is VERY CLEAN. Use hot soap and water. The hotter the better. Plastics release under heat. Also use a degreaser/silicon remover that is safe for plastic. One made for metal could catch on fire from static electricity or melt the part.

Physical adhesion should be a light scuffing or sand scratch, nothing too deep. If it is brand new I would just use something like P600 or up. Maybe even finer.

for a chemical adhesion use a spray or wipe adhesion promoter for plastics. Whatever brand you use will have one, Dupont, Sikkens, etc. 3M makes some really good ones.

Make sure you use or add flex agent too your primer and clearcoat. You won't need it for basecoat. If you don't, it will can chip really really bad or simple crack off with all the vibration. If you are gonna block sand your primer, don't go any lower then P400.

If you have any questions, feel free to email [email protected] or reply to this.

 

[slag kustom]

the paint color is a sodaka color code 174 i found it in a sikkens color chart.

 

[urbanarcana]

There is a converison chart for Sikkens paint codes at local auto paint shops. Sikkens isn't a cheap brand by a long shot. So you could find out if Dupont, RM or Sherwin Williams have the same coat just under a different code or number. As well, you might be able to get it in a single stage (base coat and clearcoat together) since buying a gallon of clear might be a little over kill.

 

[mrdozer2you]

Sikkens isn't a cheap brand by a long shot

I sell Sikkens...but not the automotive line And yes...definitely spendy, but worth it, they make the best products.

 

[r_ramos]

Thanks for all the help. Urbanarcana: what do you mean by adding a flex agent to the primer/clearcoat?

 

[urbanarcana]

If you are gonna spray it with a spray gun you will need to add flex agent. Dupont calls theirs Flex additive or something like that. It is a clear chemical that add flexability to the part, you need it in plastic. Each brand will recommend a different amount from 1 liquid once to 5 liquid onces per litre of spray. However, it will add along time between flash times (between coats) and total cure time. Just becareful of that. Basically if you add flex, give it a extra 10 or so.

If you are gonna use a spray bomb or can primer, make sure it has plastics in the title or something along those lines, it will have flex in it. Duplicolor has some really affordable and very good plastic primers and paints for do it yourselfers. You'd be surprised.



The big thing is that plastic loves to move. It absorbs the flex and twisting and shaking and it causes the outside surfaces to crack. No one likes re-doing a paint job because ya got lazy and didn't use the right product or didn't add flex to the right coats. Especially if you love in America where it is warmer, the plastic expands and cools during the day/night, it will be even worse if you don't add or use flex products.

Any other questions? I love this. Takes my everyday routine and makes it fun.

 

[urbanarcana]

This is a sorta a rant but may help others out there.

There are basically two important types of plastic; Thermoset and Thermoplastic.

THERMOSET will sand very easy and will sand smooth. It will not melt when you use a sander or grinder to it. It will come off just like paint even when you are in the plastic. You do not need to use adhesion promoter on it (generally).

THERMOPLASTIC will melt under very little heat but is very very flexible. Very easy to repair. When you take a DA to it, it will come off in pieces and melt away before it falls to the floor. They need adhesion promoter before, during and after repairs, and before primer.

Guessing by the look of the plastics on Buell bikes I would say they are thermoset. Someone feel free to correct me, or inform me.

 

[r_ramos]

Awesome... thanks again for all the info.

 

[urbanarcana]

anytime. cheers.