Anyone paint their plastic trim?

[Black Sex]

Not sure why my lower plastics look so shitty. I clean them and keep them dressed. I've tried different trim restorer products and nothing works the way I want it to. So my next step is to paint them.
Has anyone here painted their plastics? What did you use? If you went body color, did you smooth out the plastic first?
I'm currently thinking about using SEM trim paint because it will hide rock chips in the rockers better and a lot less prep work.

I'm just tired of this look

 

[LEXiiON]

I did. The bodyshop painted them in body color, i think it was about $350 (a lot of prep work and Tri-Coat). They used filler to make them smooth. You can't sand them... Turned out well and resisted a lot of road chips so far (have them painted for over 2 years now)...

LEXiiON

 

[Franco]

Buy a product called detail doctor for your trim. You will be amazed at how good it works. It one of those as seen on TV products. I know you will love it

 

[Kempf]

Hi!

I also had it done the mirrors too.

Just do not know how since my boys at the paintshop did is as a present.

But the result speaks for itself.

Regards

 

[54First]

I've never used SEM trim paint, but I've used lots of other SEM products with good results. Also, Eastwood has a new Trim Restorer that I've also used with good results. If you've got scratches in the surface neither will hide them.

Steve

 

[TheGovernment]

putting dressing on your trim is why it looks crappy. You have to use a water based dressing if you don't want it to look dull and faded as the sub fades it like crazy. Silicone fades anything it touches. It also makes tires turn brown etc. It will look good for a while but your not doing it any favors using non water based dressing.

As far as painting, using filler on your trim isn't the best idea and yes you can sand it just fine. Plastic will flex and if it's full of filler, it can crack. The best way to do it is to sand the piece with some 120 really good, use some adhesion promoter and a good high build primer, that will take care of the texture of the plastic and won't possibly crack with temp or old body filler.
it very easy and I've been doing it for 17 years now. Any other questions feel free to ask.

 

[Black Sex]

I painted my hood vent shortly after getting the car back in 2011 with some cheap trim paint and it still looks great and blends in better than greyish colored plastic.

 

[Black Sex]

putting dressing on your trim is why it looks crappy. You have to use a water based dressing if you don't want it to look dull and faded as the sub fades it like crazy. Silicone fades anything it touches. It also makes tires turn brown etc. It will look good for a while but your not doing it any favors using non water based dressing.

As far as painting, using filler on your trim isn't the best idea and yes you can sand it just fine. Plastic will flex and if it's full of filler, it can crack. The best way to do it is to sand the piece with some 120 really good, use some adhesion promoter and a good high build primer, that will take care of the texture of the plastic and won't possibly crack with temp or old body filler.
it very easy and I've been doing it for 17 years now. Any other questions feel free to ask.

I only use water based dressing. I detail on the side and hate silicone dressing not to mention it looks like shit.

Would you sand the primer coat before shooting color? I'm hesitant about going body color because of rock chips and the whole peeling or flaking.
Staying satin black will hide any rock chips and be easier to fix or re-spray if any issues arise.

 

[barricade 257]

What about installing rocker trim from a 13-14? Not sure if that works or not just throwing out an idea.

 

[TheGovernment]

ya, you have to sand the primer, unless someone was painting silver, 400 grit should be good enough to top coat over. if your just wanting to go satin black, keep in mind that if you have any good sized scratches that you sand out, you'll sand the texture out of that spot..... can look funny if there are lots of spots.
Just use a good adhesion promoter before you paint. Sanding with a red scotch pad and some water will be good enough but you could use some 320-400 as well as the scotch pads if it's nicked up.

The paint won't flake off or peel as long as you sand it properly and use adhesion promoter. No more than any other part of the car.

 

[brian98svtsnake]

This is the one sore spot for me on my exterior. I've been contemplating hydro dipping and painting. If I paint I'm not sure if I want body color or gloss black. I also want the cowl cover done as well. If you do something post some pics.

 

[shelby2]

I would definetley hydro dip if I were you. I was going to go that rout, but I have an 09, and the rear diffuser is part of the rear bumper and you can't separate like your car. So I went True Fiber all the way around. Just got all the pieces and taking to paint shop Monday to have two coats of clear put on them before install. So excited!

 

[Black Sex]

I got a quote from a local dipper and it was $1500-$1800. I LOL'd

 

[brian98svtsnake]

I got a quote from a local dipper and it was $1500-$1800. I LOL'd

Yes hydro dipping large parts is crazy expensive which is why I started leaning towards paint. The hydro carbon stuff mentioned above is nice but again very expensive.

 

[Black Sex]

If I spend that much, I think spending a little extra and buying the real deal would be the better way to go

 

[TheGovernment]

At my work, I'd charge $250 to get all the trim done, including the bumper.

 

[brian98svtsnake]

At my work, I'd charge $250 to get all the trim done, including the bumper.

You mean paint right?

 

[evasive]

I got a quote from a local dipper and it was $1500-$1800. I LOL'd

That is crazy. You can get the real Shelby Carbon Fiber side skirts and front lip for that price.

 

[TheGovernment]

ya painting it Brian.

 

[Black Sex]

I have decided I'm going to just trim paint it with SEM, after I correct the paint and give it a good coating. Hopefully I get a chance to get started in the next week or so. I will post pics when I'm done.