Spray Painting Plastic Side Covers

[mgwtrike]

Has anyone attempted to spray paint their plastic side covers?

I'm don't mean the chrome ones, I mean the matte black that were standard
on 2012 and up.
Is there a special plastic paint that I need to buy.

I checked with the guy doing my trike conversion, and the painter he uses to paint the trunk section didn't advise painting these side covers and I forgot to ask why.
I have pictures of many trikes were the side panels are painted silver or to match the color of the trike. :Shrug:

 

[Solidbob]

Has anyone attempted to spray paint their plastic side covers?

I'm don't mean the chrome ones, I mean the matte black that were standard
on 2012 and up.
Is there a special plastic paint that I need to buy.

I checked with the guy doing my trike conversion, and the painter he uses to paint the trunk section didn't advise painting these side covers and I forgot to ask why.
I have pictures of many trikes were the side panels are painted silver or to match the color of the trike. :Shrug:

Most automotive stores like Auto Zone or O'Rileys carry a spray paint made for bumpers or flexible areas... if it requires a clear coat it also needs to be for flexible applications. Even an Automotive Paint store can mix you the color you want... just remember for a flexible surface..... FYI

 

[cavie]

local hardware store will have plastic spray paint.

 

[mgwtrike]

Thanks fellow, I appreciate your reply's

 

[John Luciano]

After mine fell of and got run over by a car. I rebuilt it and a local body shop painted it with standard auto paint. Been like that now for 6 years.

 

[Shimpy]

I've always had good luck with Krylon spray made for plastics sold about everywhere. I got mine at Home Depot.

 

[dirtdobber]

Painting plastic is now rather easy to do.
Use this before painting


Do not let it dry, needs to be sticky when painting. Make sure you rough it up with sand paper first. Then you can use the paint of your choice.
I have done this for many years with good results.
It even works on chrome, not exhaust though.

 

[mgwtrike]

Painting plastic is now rather easy to do.
Use this before painting


Do not let it dry, needs to be sticky when painting. Make sure you rough it up with sand paper first. Then you can use the paint of your choice.
I have done this for many years with good results.
It even works on chrome, not exhaust though.

I see by your pic you left your panels on your red trike black.

 

[dirtdobber]

For now
I'm thinking of matching the silver paint.
There is a wheel kit that has the metallic that sticks unbelievably good. Then you clear coat, both are included in the kit.
It matches the sliver almost perfect.
I am researching to see if they offer any other colors. It is designed for Wheels.

Too cold here for me to paint. My painters box has been put in the attic, my wife's idea.
Got to get it down so I can do some painting.
I would prefer them to match the red though.

 

[pcombe]

Auto zones dupli-color is an automotive paint with a very dry propellant so it's hard to screw up and get a run. take your time, don't push it and you will get a good result.

 

[JaysGone]

I found out in my case repainting my 99 Valkyrie side covers.
If you over spay them. The paint has a tendency to harden and chip off or just peal off in large pieces. As regular automotive paint wont flex much.
Maybe these newer paints as mentioned for bumpers does work better.

 

[dirtdobber]

Anything that may flex plastic paint will help with that.
I have painted plastic for many years but never had a stress crack or separation in the paint.
Not saying it couldn't happen

 

[cjmitch]

Any paint made for plastic should do fine. Just get it good and clean.
My advise is to use a primer. specifically a SELF-ETCHING primer.
If you look at my bike I painted my chrome sidecovers, and the primer made all the difference. (and my baker wings)

Whoops.. I think this pic was taken before I painted them

 

[mgwtrike]

Any paint made for plastic should do fine. Just get it good and clean.
My advise is to use a primer. specifically a SELF-ETCHING primer.

I checked with Manards paint department today and they didn't recommend etching primer, but they do sell paint in a aerosol can that's strictly made for plastic.

 

[cjmitch]

I checked with Manards paint department today and they didn't recommend etching primer, but they do sell paint in a aerosol can that's strictly made for plastic.

I can only reply about what I have personally done. If you look at the pic of my bike you will se that most if not all of the plastic has been sanded primed, and painted. Some of them infused non etching primer and paint. I noticed that I had to touch up the paint from a few scratches. the etching primer on the baker wing however has had more abuse and the paint has adhered much better. l wish I had used it on most of the other parts.

Why did the expert at Menard say not to use etching primer??
When that's what it is used for?