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General => Cosmetic and bodywork matters => Topic started by: Nicky753 on 20 April 2011, 13:17

Title: Painting painted plastic?
Post by: Nicky753 on 20 April 2011, 13:17

I've got a rear bumper centre panel in dragon green which I want to paint in black magic pearl. Do I have to go through all the process of keying/priming/flatting etc or would the existing paint cover up well enough with rattle cans?

Title: Re: Painting painted plastic?
Post by: Len on 20 April 2011, 13:35

"keying/priming/flatting"

dont be lazy and do it right!

Title: Re: Painting painted plastic?
Post by: Nicky753 on 20 April 2011, 14:56

Don't want to do it at all tbh but been looking for the right bumper and a drivers door for 2 years now.

Title: Re: Painting painted plastic?
Post by: boneybradley on 20 April 2011, 16:27

You do really need to prepare the surface correctly.....
A simple clean and scour with some steel wool/wet and dry to key them first will be enough to make the paint stick but with modern paints being water based you may find it will react without primer (old cellulose paint was mutch better!)

Title: Re: Painting painted plastic?
Post by: Nicky753 on 20 April 2011, 16:42

Are rattle can primers pretty neutral or would I need plastic primer or anything special?

Title: Re: Painting painted plastic?
Post by: Thom89 on 20 April 2011, 22:57

Assuming that the panel that you want to paint is in good condition, and free from stone chips, and scratches, you can change the colour, simply by a thorough rub with Grey Scotchbrite (abrasive pads, available from halfords) and soapy water, all this will do, is "Key" the surface, without breaking through the original lacquer, rubbing with anything coarser, could break through the lacquer, and create paint reaction problems when you apply you new colour..
You only need to prime the panel, if it has damage...

Thom