Painting a P U spoiler.

[peter t]

Any tips on painting a PU spoiler? Can I use normal 1 pack arcylic undercoat and topcoat? Thanks in advance for any tips.

[Sirpent]

No No No

 

Peter, you need to do 2 things, first coat the PU item in Plasti Prime, and then add whats called plasti-flex to the paint itself.

 

If you dont, the paint wont adhere long term and without the flex aditive it wont be able to flex resulting in fracturing and peeling.

 

You can buy Plasti primer in a can from super cheap, its a clear spray and you dont need a lot, but make sure you use a prepwash solvent first before applying it and clean the surface really well.

 

The plasti flex are just a few ml per spray pot, Id just drop into a panel shop and ask to buy a small amount from them.

 

Cheers

 

John

[peter t]

Thanks mate. Will do as you advise and let you Know the outcome.

[dazzed]

good to hear that you are painting it a colour coordinated match unlike those who leave it black, which looks totally crap, or too lasy to paint it , they look great matched

[peter t]

Couldn,t stand leaving it unpainted. May be a while before I get it done as I have only the grill to finish and go for rego. Just bursting at the seams to go for a drive after all this time. [ And money, so the wife keeps telling me ]

[RB30X]

I was advised against using a softener in the paint for mine. They said the spoilers aren't going to flex any more than factory spoilers on late model cars these days and factories don't use it. Apparently it weakens the paint and makes it chip easier.  just use the plastic primer as mentioned and give it a good sand and proceed like the rest of the panels. Thats how I did mine and it looks great.

[BobsYourUncle]

Don't these spoilers need a brace in the center, which should stop them from flexing too much?

[peter t]

Yes and there is a good example in Stevo's build thread on how to make one. That is what I am doing. At least it won't break if I hit a speed bump or gutter.

[peter t]

I was advised against using a softener in the paint for mine. They said the spoilers aren't going to flex any more than factory spoilers on late model cars these days and factories don't use it. Apparently it weakens the paint and makes it chip easier.  just use the plastic primer as mentioned and give it a good sand and proceed like the rest of the panels. Thats how I did mine and it looks great.

[/quote

Does that mean I use Plastic prime then normal U-coat and top coat and clear coat. ]

[Sirpent]

I was advised against using a softener in the paint for mine. They said the spoilers aren't going to flex any more than factory spoilers on late model cars these days and factories don't use it. Apparently it weakens the paint and makes it chip easier.  just use the plastic primer as mentioned and give it a good sand and proceed like the rest of the panels. That's how I did mine and it looks great.

 

On any non metal surface, its always a good idea to put in a flex additive, we used it one every acrylic or low bake component we ever painted, and with Low bake enamel it definitely wouldn't have had a softening effect.

 

Your call Peter, I just think that you never know what it may come in contact with and it would be a shame for it to absorb the impact and as memory plastics do pop back and leave a network of web cracks in the material.

 

Cheers

 

John

 

P.S. thanks for the thumbs up on the other thread.

[peter t]

Will take your advice John when Iget around to the job. Thanks Mate.