i want to paint my plastics...

[Midbike Racer]

dunno
OK. I guess I will start it off as far as newbie questions goes.
I want to paint my plastic fairings.
I was thinking about possibly using the Krylon Fusion spray paint but was unsure as if it was the right choice.
I also am unsure as to how to prep the fairings.
I was thinking of just wiping them down to dull the sheen with something.
My questions are: is sanding needed to strip away the existing paint?
What type of paint is reccommended for this job and what in general have you all done, if anything when it comes to painting your fairings?

I was thinking flat black fairings with maybe powdercoating my frame black also.

Thanks!rock2

[redryderaus]

I tossed my hat in the ring so I'll give it go :)

I'm assuming your fairings are undamaged and you just want to paint them, ok. First of all, I'd use 400 wet&dry sandpaper (use it wet, water will do) to rub down the existing paint to an overall matt finish. You really only want to take the gloss off the existing paint. If there are existing edges to the paint where there is a colour change then you can rub those edges down and "feather" them in so the edge won't show under the new paint. Basically if you can feel an edge or ridge then it will show through the new paint, so carefully rub it down until you can't feel it when you run your fingertip across it. Right, now wash your newly matted fairings down first in hot water with some dishwashing detergent in it, followed by a thorough rinse and allow them to dry. Don't rush the drying, a couple of hours in a warm area is minimum. Once they are dry wipe them down with methylated spirits and allow them to dry again. From now on, don't touch them with bare hands. Wear clean rubber gloves to avoid contaminating the surface with any oils.

Second, forget the Krylon Fusion paints. I've used them and they are crap (sorry, no other word for it!). Use a good quality epoxy enamel (ie Dulux) which should be available in spray cans at your hardware store.

Third, now the painting. Spray light coats onto your spotlessly clean matted fairing. You are aiming to just get a "wet" look. Too little paint and the finish will be rough (but we can recover that), too much and it will run. Don't try to achieve full coverage in one coat. Several coats seperated by 30mins will get the coverage you need. If your finish looks a bit dry (rough or dull), keep going and add an extra coat after you have good coverage. Then you can use a "cut & polish" compound to bring the shine out. For that super high gloss "pro finish" allow the paint to dry, polish as above, clean it with a wax remover and then spray several coats of clear epoxy enamel.

The "cut & polish" compund and the wax remover should both be available at your local auto store.

Please ask if I wasn't totally clear. I have used this method on 1:1 plastic bike fairings and it worked really well.

Cheers,

red

[redryderaus]

I would follow my method, except don't polish. And stay with a high quality epoxy enamel, it is available in matt black. Two reasons for that are a) it is somewhat flexible so plasticisers aren't needed and b) it is fairly impervious (sp?) to staining once dry.

However, even your matt black will benefit from a coat or two of carnauba or bee's wax. This will add a slight sheen to the paint similar to a "satin" finish. But the wax will give even more protection from staining which matt finishes are more susceptible to than gloss finishes.

Cheers,

red

[Midbike Racer]

I would follow my method, except don't polish. And stay with a high quality epoxy enamel, it is available in matt black. Two reasons for that are a) it is somewhat flexible so plasticisers aren't needed and b) it is fairly impervious (sp?) to staining once dry.

However, even your matt black will benefit from a coat or two of carnauba or bee's wax. This will add a slight sheen to the paint similar to a "satin" finish. But the wax will give even more protection from staining which matt finishes are more susceptible to than gloss finishes.

Cheers,

red
Thanks red.
I will follow your advice and document it with pics so I can post them here.
pimp

[X7rocks]

i.painted.myne.without.sandpapering.or.anything.fa ncy.just.painted...came.our.great