painting plastic parts

[ramjet]

hi

i am getting into painting my bike and i went to the paint store to ask about paint and they told me that i will not get paint to stick to the plastic parts. can any of you give me tips on how you guys got your paint to stick to the plastic parts. i have done a search and didn't much on this particular topic.

any help will be appreciated

cheers

[Superfly]

When repainting the plastics on my bikes (espically if they have never been done before) I will rought them up with some sandpaper first. (like a 400 grit) to get the finish off of them, and then use a primer, and it has worked for me.

[Road_Clam]

hi

i am getting into painting my bike and i went to the paint store to ask about paint and they told me that i will not get paint to stick to the plastic parts. can any of you give me tips on how you guys got your paint to stick to the plastic parts. i have done a search and didn't much on this particular topic.

any help will be appreciated

cheers

You can't just lay paint over pre-painted plastic. Paint needs something to "grip" that is the main purpose of primer. You will have to sand all the existing paint and most likely clearcoat that's currently on your plastics. I have done a bit of automotive painting, and actually with some great results, but it's SOOOOOO time consuming, and you needs PATIENTS !!!!!!!!!! Rule of thumb, if you rush the job, you might as well not done it at all, because a rushed paint job, looks worse than a "rattle" can paint job. I just had my GS1100E's bodywork all professionally restored, and I know for a fact, "Bruce", my "master body craftsman" invested almost 34 hours into my bodywork. Good luck,
Rich.

[retrex]

Sanding is important

I redid all the plastic on my Black 81. I sanded everything down to plastic, removed the clearcoat completely. I finished with a couple of coats of good quality paint put on with a HVLP gun. Looks great, preperation is the key.

[8trackmind]

hi

i am getting into painting my bike and i went to the paint store to ask about paint and they told me that i will not get paint to stick to the plastic parts. can any of you give me tips on how you guys got your paint to stick to the plastic parts. i have done a search and didn't much on this particular topic.

any help will be appreciated

cheers

Go here... I think BASF has distribution in you're neck of the woods.

[Billy Ricks]

hi

i am getting into painting my bike and i went to the paint store to ask about paint and they told me that i will not get paint to stick to the plastic parts. can any of you give me tips on how you guys got your paint to stick to the plastic parts. i have done a search and didn't much on this particular topic.

any help will be appreciated

cheers

I'd find a new paint salesman. This reminds me of just about everytime I go into a Sherwin-Williams store. I just shake my head at some of the advice these sales people give. Any decent quality of primer will stick. There are even additives that give paint more flexibilty for bumpers and other plastics. I've never used the additive and the paint holds up just fine.

[ramjet]

hi

thanks all for the advise. as for changing shops i think it may have been one persons bad advise as a lot of the people in the shop are experienced panel beaters and bloody brilliant paint mixers (as in any custom colour you want). i will do as i was originaly going to and sand it real good and prime it first and then paint it.

cheers for all the help

thanx