Painting plastic motorcycle parts

[canuckamuck]

I have a project in mind simply for the sake of creativity. I am going to give my 4 year old Chinese quad a respray. It spent most of its life out in the elements and as it is still in pretty good shape, except for the paint, I thought I would treat it with a little more respect for the next few years.

Most of the body parts are plastic and I am wondering if there is a special primer for plastic parts.

[Kwasaki]

I wouldn't say special it's available,  I've had a hugger and side panel plastic's as in motorcycle fairings easily re-sprayed, pre-repaired even welded if minimal damage.

Edited November 29, 2017 by Kwasaki

[CMKiwi]

Look for the Leyland brand of spray cans.  They have many colours available plus a primer for plastic.  It's code is R2000.

 

Great stuff and really makes the paint stick.  No cracking or peeling.  Just be sure to do the prep work. If you original paint is oxidised then give it a good rub down with wet and dry paper starting with a bigger grit and then smaller grit to get a smoother finish.

 

Ive used this product lots over the years and never had a problem with lack of pressure in the can or paint 'spitting' out of the can.

 

The primer is about 175 baht per can.  Normal paint about 50 baht.

 

Hope this helps.  Check google too as there is a website in Thailand for Leyland paints:

 

www.jitporn.com

Edited November 29, 2017 by CMKiwi

[AllanB]

I have seen a few videos where they use a hot air gun to restore the colour.

There are many others to look at, practice on somewhere that doesn't show too much. Going to trying it on my campervan when I get back to Portugal. 

[thaiguzzi]

Pro paint job on plastic.

Perfect until it hit one of those rocks in the background from a great height....

 

[oldcarguy]

Problem is that plastic flexs ,  so if its on a bike front fender as pictured it might peel off ,

 

there is a flex additive you can put in Automotive paint that helps , painting car bumpers comes to mind ,

 

and I am sure there is more than one type of plastic used on cars and bike parts, and the solvent to make the paint "grip" might not work the same on all plastics.

 

and just thinking , very thin paint is going to flex better than  thick paint.....

 

Let us know what you find out.....

[taninthai]

Can get plastic dip paint ,should flex a little better

[AllanB]

You should be aware that there are basically two types of plastic.

1. Thermoplastics, which can be remelted and reformed.

2. Thermo-setting plastic, which as the name would suggest is formed and the sets, as with GRP.

 

The panels in question are thermoplastic which is why they lend themselves to be treated with hot gun. Provided you are careful, take it slowly and steadily the results will be good.

 

The front mudguard on my Lifan has never looked that great so I will be giving the hot gun method a try and let you know. 

 

If it works it will be pretty foolproof with no worries of flaking or cracking..cheaper too.

[Kwasaki]

Get someone who works for a paint shop to do it, don't mess with DIY labours cheap.

I asked around and got a guy who works for a repair/repaint workshop who does private work.

[papa al]

5 hours ago, AllanB said:

 

The front mudguard on my Lifan has never looked that great so I will be giving the hot gun method a try and let you know. 

 

If it works it will be pretty foolproof with no worries of flaking or cracking..cheaper too.

Or you can buy a new front mudguard for you Lifan for under $10.

[ktm jeff]

Acerbis copy fender is B 250 +.

 

[papa al]

7 hours ago, ktm jeff said:

Acerbis copy fender is B 250 +.

 

...& they come in a variety of colours;

some 2-tone.

 

[papa al]

On 11/29/2017 at 9:08 PM, thaiguzzi said:

Pro paint job on plastic.

Perfect until it hit one of those rocks in the background from a great height....

 

This kinda paint job is okay for a street bike...

Click, Fino....

Thinking maybe vinyl wrap be good to gussie-up a dirt bike.

plan on doing a rebuild of Climber rear fender at some time:

welding with soldering iron,

1500 watt heat gun.

Have some p-tex candles,

as used for ski bottom repair.

Thermoplastic.

Where would we be without it.?

//New copy replacement front fenders for TY are available.

Ebay last i √ed

Edited November 30, 2017 by papa al

[thaiguzzi]

2 hours ago, papa al said:

This kinda paint job is okay for a street bike...

Click, Fino....

Thinking maybe vinyl wrap be good to gussie-up a dirt bike.

plan on doing a rebuild of Climber rear fender at some time:

welding with soldering iron,

1500 watt heat gun.

Have some p-tex candles,

as used for ski bottom repair.

Thermoplastic.

Where would we be without it.?

//New copy replacement front fenders for TY are available.

Ebay last i √ed

Indeed - fleixi plastic m/guards used off road are the not the most practical things to paint....

 

Buying some universal trials front fenders (mudguards in the Queen's English) in the UK in the new year. 19 GBP each, yellow and white self colour - no more painting. Can cut them to a more modern shape, and drill mounting holes - voila!

Rear ty mono mudguards now available repro 65 GBP in white plastic. Will wait until I've ruined all 3 of my CM fiberglass ones before ordering.

Edited December 1, 2017 by thaiguzzi

[canuckamuck]

Thanks for all the replies, a lot of options there and I will be looking into them. The plastic parts on the quad are fairly flexible, seem to be the same material used for dirt bike fenders. If I get a few other issues settled, I might start the tear down next week. And I will definitely be doing it myself because I want a creative distraction.

Edited December 1, 2017 by canuckamuck

[ktm jeff]

On 30/11/2017 at 10:31 PM, papa al said:

...& they come in a variety of colours;

some 2-tone.

 

Its a 2-tone one i have. The rear portion is black , and vented. Not trials bike style though.