Maya Ellison
Spraying plastic car trim is a great way to rejuvenate the appearance of your car. It's a simple and effective way to cover up scratches and give your car a fresh new look. To spray paint your car's plastic trim, you'll need to gather the right tools and materials, including paint, sandpaper, primer, and a mask for protection. The process involves removing the trim, sanding it down, applying primer, spraying paint, and finishing with a lacquer or clear coat. It's important to ensure an even coat of paint and to allow sufficient drying time between coats. With the right preparation and technique, you can achieve a smooth and lasting finish that will make your car look as good as new.
How to spray plastic car trim
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Remove the plastic trim from the car, if possible. |
| Clean the trim with soapy water to ensure the surface is clear of dirt and debris. | |
| Fill in any scratches or imperfections with body filler and sand down the surface. | |
| Priming | Apply a plastic primer filler, laying down 2 coats 5 minutes apart. |
| After 40 minutes of drying time, sand the surface with sandpaper to smoothen it. | |
| Base coat | Shake the base coat spray can and test spray on paper to ensure an even spray. |
| Lightly spray the base coat onto the part, no closer than 20 cm away, using a 50% overlap for the best coverage. | |
| Apply 3 medium coats with 15 minutes of dry time between coats. | |
| Clear coat | Shake the clear coat spray can and test spray on paper to ensure an even spray. |
| Lightly spray the clear coat onto the part, maintaining a distance of 20 cm and using a 50% overlap. | |
| Apply 3 medium coats with 20 minutes of dry time between coats. | |
| Additional steps | If painting a hard plastic, start spraying while the adhesion promoter is still wet. |
| If spraying a flexible plastic, wait for the adhesion promoter to dry completely before spraying. | |
| For a polished finish, use a microfiber polishing cloth at the end. |
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What You'll Learn
- Preparation: Clean the trim with soapy water and a scouring pad to remove dirt and grease
- Primer: Apply 3-4 coats of primer, spraying before the primer passes over the trim for an even finish
- Paint: Use a paint suitable for the type of plastic. Spray in light, overlapping strokes, ensuring the trim is evenly coated
- Coats: Apply a second coat in the opposite direction of the first. You may need a third coat if the plastic is still visible
- Lacquer: This adds shine and protects the base coat. Choose from gloss or matte finishes
Preparation: Clean the trim with soapy water and a scouring pad to remove dirt and grease
To prepare plastic car trim for spraying, it is important to clean the trim thoroughly with soapy water and a scouring pad. This process will remove any dirt, grease, or grime that has accumulated on the trim over time. Here are the steps to effectively clean and prepare the trim:
Firstly, mix a solution of soapy water in a bucket or sink. Ensure that the water is sufficiently soapy to aid in the removal of stubborn dirt and grease. Wet a scouring pad in the soapy water solution and begin to gently scrub the car's trim. Apply light pressure and avoid being too aggressive, as you don't want to scratch or damage the trim. The scouring pad will help remove any stubborn dirt or grease, and it will also create small abrasions on the trim, which is beneficial as it will help the paint adhere better during the spraying process.
It is important to work on one section at a time, ensuring that all areas are thoroughly cleaned. After scrubbing, be sure to rinse the trim with clean water to remove any remaining soap. You can also use a commercial degreaser as an alternative to soapy water, which will be effective in removing grease and grime. Once rinsed, dry the trim with a lint-free towel, absorbing any excess water. Allow the trim to air dry completely for about 1-2 hours to ensure no water remains before you begin the painting process.
Additionally, you can use a premium dressing product, such as Chemical Guys VRP, Blue Guard, or Black on Black, to restore the trim's rich, deep black colour and protect it from UV rays. This step will enhance the overall appearance of the trim and provide long-lasting protection.
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Primer: Apply 3-4 coats of primer, spraying before the primer passes over the trim for an even finish
To spray plastic car trim, you'll need to apply a few coats of primer. Firstly, ensure you are wearing a mask to protect yourself from the fumes of the primer. Next, prepare the plastic trim by sanding it down with sandpaper, filling in any scratches with body filler, and then sanding it down again. This will ensure the trim is smooth and ready for priming.
When applying the primer, hold the paint can around 6-7 inches away from the surface of the trim. Spray the primer in thin, even coats, applying 3-4 coats in total. Allow each coat to dry for around 15 minutes before applying the next one. This will ensure that the primer dries properly and forms a good base for the paint.
It is important to use a primer suitable for plastic surfaces, as this will ensure the paint adheres properly and the job is completed to a high standard. Some primers may also help fill in small scratches or blemishes, so choose a primer that suits your specific needs.
After priming, you can move on to the painting stage, ensuring that you follow the instructions for your chosen paint and allow adequate curing time.
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Paint: Use a paint suitable for the type of plastic. Spray in light, overlapping strokes, ensuring the trim is evenly coated
Painting your car's plastic trim can be a simple way to freshen up your vehicle's appearance. Before you start painting, it's important to prepare the trim properly to ensure a long-lasting finish. Firstly, remove the trim from your car if possible, using a screwdriver to slowly take out the screws holding it in place. If the trim can't be removed, be careful to cover surrounding areas to protect them from paint. Next, clean the trim with soapy water and a scouring pad to remove any dirt or grease. You can also use a commercial degreaser for this step. Once the trim is clean and dry, use sandpaper to smooth the surface and remove the shine. This will help the paint adhere better and create a more even finish. It's important to take your time with this step, as good preparation is key to a successful paint job.
Now you're ready to start painting! Choose a paint that's suitable for the type of plastic you're working with. If you're painting hard plastic, such as ABS or PVC, start spraying while the adhesion promoter is still wet. For flexible plastics like TPO or PP, wait for the adhesion promoter to dry completely before applying paint. Hold the paint can about 6-7 inches away from the trim and use light, overlapping strokes to ensure an even coat. Spray in the opposite direction for the second coat to get full coverage. Depending on the colour, you may need to apply additional coats until the trim is evenly coated and no plastic is visible underneath. Finally, apply a lacquer coating to protect the paint and add shine. Your car's trim will now look as good as new!
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Coats: Apply a second coat in the opposite direction of the first. You may need a third coat if the plastic is still visible
When it comes to spraying plastic car trim, the number of coats you'll need depends on the coverage you're trying to achieve. It's important to work in a well-ventilated area and wear a mask to protect yourself from the chemicals in the paint and primer.
After applying your adhesion promoter and letting it dry, you can start with the paint coats. Hold the can of spray paint about 6 inches (15 cm) from the trim and apply a thin, even coat, working your way back and forth across the trim. Once you've sprayed from one direction, flip the trim and spray from the other side.
For your second coat, spray in the opposite direction of the first coat. For example, if you sprayed from left to right for the initial coat, apply the second coat up and down. This technique helps ensure even coverage. Allow each coat to dry before applying the next, following the manufacturer's instructions for drying time.
If the plastic is still visible after the second coat, a third coat may be necessary. You can determine if additional coats are needed by inspecting the coverage. It's important to note that more coats may be required when making drastic colour changes, such as painting over black parts with white paint.
After your final coat, it's crucial to let the paint dry completely before handling the trim or reattaching it to your vehicle. This drying time can vary depending on the paint used, so always refer to the manufacturer's recommendations.
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Lacquer: This adds shine and protects the base coat. Choose from gloss or matte finishes
Lacquer is an important step in the process of spraying plastic car trim as it adds shine and protects the base coat. Lacquer should be applied over the base colour as it begins to flash off—this is because adhesion is created when the solvent in the lacquer reanimates the still-curing colour coat. It is important that the colour coat is free from dust and imperfections before the lacquer is applied. The first lacquer coat should be applied lightly, forming a grip coat to which the second coat can adhere without sagging or running. Typically, three coats of lacquer are applied with 15 minutes between each coat.
There are different types of lacquer, including quick-drying solvent-based nitrocellulose lacquers, which produce a hard yet flexible and durable finish that can be polished to a high sheen. Lacquers are used on cars, furniture, and musical instruments, among other projects.
To achieve a high shine, you can polish the lacquer with a cutting agent and a high-quality hand-glaze polish. If the lacquer is not as smooth as desired, you can wet flat any debris using 2000 grit wet and dry paper before cutting and polishing.
It is important to note that lacquer should be applied soon after the base coat to ensure a strong chemical bond between the two layers. If left for too long, the base coat may cure, resulting in flaking when the clear coat is applied.
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