How To Paint ATV Plastics? Step-by-Step Guide 2023

If you are a motor enthusiast, you must have heard about the concept of ATV plastics. These plastics have been specially designed to give protection both to your ride and you from the rocks and dirt that you will inevitably come across while riding. However, when it comes to the appearance of the ATV plastic, you can go DIY and paint it yourself.

If you’re wanting to change the look of your ATV without needing to spend the money to buy all new plastic body parts, one option is to paint the existing plastics, it’s cheaper and more rewarding than buying new ATV plastics altogether.

Before you begin, you’ll want to make sure your plastics are in good condition and know how to paint ATV plastics. Painting ATV plastics is not as difficult as it sounds. It is fairly easy if you know what to do and how to proceed.

Remember, the most important thing you need to do is gather all the tools you might need beforehand. Unless you are well-prepared, it might take a lot of time, and you will end up disliking it. After that, it is your ATV that needs to be made ready for painting.

In general, to paint ATV plastics, you’re going to need to clean the plastics and sand them down, then remove contaminants in the plastic that prevent paint from sticking. After you’ve done that you’ll want to use a primer, paint, and topcoat to seal and protect the paint job. I will go more in-depth below with a step-by-step guide.

How To Paint ATV Plastics

As long as you recognize what to do and also how to deal with it, painting ATV plastic will certainly be as easy as feasible. Nonetheless, prior to you repainting the ATV plastic, you need to have all the tools and also equipment you require.

Several of the tools you would need include:

• Sandpaper
• A scuff pad
• Plastic cleaners
• Adhesive
• A primer
• Finishing glaze
• A bumper sealer
• The paint.

The first thing you will want to do before painting the ATV plastic is to give the ATV a major cleaning. Clean the plastic thoroughly with warm soapy water. This is just to remove all the dirt and dust from the plastic. Now, let's come to finish each of the steps that follow.

1. Cleaning with sandpaper

To paint a surface, the first thing to do constantly is to clean it thoroughly to make sure that no dust can interfere with the paint coat. As soon as you are completed with that, make use of 180 grit sandpaper on the whole surface area that will be painted.

These ATV plastics have been visible fighting natural environments like sunshine and wind for a long time which leads them to create a thin layer or crust externally. Sanding will certainly help you eliminate this unwanted crust so you can move on to the following step. Don't go soft since you require to eliminate every last bit.

2. Get rid of water-soluble particles

When you are done sanding, it is time to remove all water-soluble contaminants from the surface area that is to be painted. Make use of a scuff pad and a solution of your choice to do this. This action is likewise handy in getting rid of any pollutant that may have permeated into the plastic throughout the previous step.

We can not worry enough that unless the surface area is spotless, the paint will certainly either not clear up or it will certainly lose the texture and also gloss. If you wish to make your efforts count, pay particular attention to these initial few actions.

It never injures to be a little extra cautious or take some precautions. You can repeat the sanding procedure with 180 grit sandpaper once again simply in case you missed any type of spot the first time around. This is optional, yet it is best if you do it anyway.

3. Sandblast

As soon as you are finished with the tedious cleaning, you can go straight to the next important action. Sandblast the ATV plastic, and make sure that you cover the entire surface area that you intend to paint, with 80 grit aluminum oxide. Sand is an extremely reliable cleaner, and with this step, you will certainly be one step better at ultimately using paint. Nevertheless, hold your horses a little while longer since we are yet to do some more cleaning.

4. Final cleaning

Make use of a plastic cleaner to finish the cleansing procedure. You can select the brand name based on your marketing research. They are available as sprays which are really easy to use. All you have to do is spray a hefty coat and after that wait till the solvents manage to dissolve all pollutants. Offer it twenty mins to do its task and then clean the coat off making use of a clean paper towel.

5. Apply adhesive and primer

Now you have to apply two heavy coats of any kind of industry-level adhesive externally to the plastic. Do not double-coat without letting the first layer blink off initially. Prior to you going on to the following step, make sure that the adhesive has dried out completely.

Given that we are currently getting ready to paint the ATV surface area finally, we need to layer and also structure it properly. Use the waterborne guide surfacer to slather the surface area totally. As a result of the high build, you will not need to bother with any type of scratches. Nonetheless, the first thing that you require to take a look at is to leave the primer completely dry.

6. Sand the surface again

Given that you will need to utilize a high-build primer surfacer, you need to make an extra effort if you desire that perfect coating. To put it simply, you need to sand the whole surface area till it is definitely smooth. Use a 320 grit paper for maximum impact.

7. Make use of a finishing glaze

Currently, it is time to hide any flaws that might have already been there or which were brought on by our extensive cleansing. Use the very best finishing glaze that you can discover to cover these areas. Find one that has a lower thickness if you desire a smooth circulation.

8. Sand for the last time

Give the finishing polish time to settle and afterward use sandpaper to smooth the surface area out. After you paint, also the smallest undulations will be obvious. So sand it well.

9. Use a bumper sealant

Now it is time for the one last action before you start with a paintbrush. Apply a freeze-tolerant waterborne bumper sealant externally that will currently be painted.

10. Paint

Wait till the sealer dries out prior to you begin applying the paint. Do not fail to remember to dual layer it- a basecoat as well as a clear layer suffice. Utilize a flex additive on the overcoat. Flex additives help in the better bond of the paint to plastic surface areas.

Your ATV plastic is currently totally painted and all ready for use! There might be a lot of steps but in the end, it will be well worth your time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get repaint to stick to plastic?

• Clean the Surface Area of the Plastic. Fill up a bucket with warm water as well as a little meal soap.
• Sand Shiny Surfaces, repaint adheres far much better to rougher matte surface plastics than to shiny plastics.
• Wipe Down the Plastic With Mineral Moods.
• Spray the First Coat of Paint.
• Use Subsequent Coats of Paint.

How do you make the paint last on plastic?

You definitely need a guide developed specifically for plastic if you're using routine spray paint. The specialized primer can produce a structure that aids the paint stick. Apply the spray primer in even amounts to the totally fined sand, clean, as well as completely dry plastic product.

How do you keep ATV plastic from fading?

The most effective point you can do to maintain your plastic from fading is to keep your quad in the shade, ordinary and also simple. Everything else will certainly conceal the problem until you clean it. Actually, you can't buff your plastic like an automobile since just the outer layer of plastic is smooth and also shiny.

Do I have to sand plastic before painting?

Paint sticks much better to rougher matte surface area plastics than to shiny plastics. Because the majority of plastic is glossy, fining sand is then an important step. Gently sand all surface areas to be repainted with 180- to 220-grit sandpaper. This is particularly vital when utilizing an electric sander on the plastic.

Can I repaint plastic without fining sand?

Plastic is impermeable and also removing its shiny surface area will certainly aid your paint to stick. Utilize a soft, clean brush or fabric to get rid of all dirt from the fining sand process. Repaint your product: As soon as your things' surface area is completely clean and also completely dry, enclose the areas you do not wish to be painted with painter's tape.

Do you need to prime plastic before paint?

As a basic guideline, plastic primer is only necessary when using ordinary paint that does not normally stick to plastic. For instance latex or acrylic paint. However, a plastic surface area does not need to be keyed if special paints for plastic, like Rust-Oleums Paint for Plastic, are used.

How do you paint plastic without chipping it?

Use paints that are specially developed to adhere to plastics. There are a number of offered on the marketplace such as Krylon Combination for Plastic®, Valspar® Plastic Spray Paint, as well as Rust-Oleum Specialty Paint For Plastic Spray. If making use of normal spray paint then your item will need to be keyed.

Conclusion

Painting your ATV plastics will certainly not just make them look wonderful, however, it will likewise guarantee that they last for a long period of time ahead. Taking the necessary steps such as removing any old paint and using the right primer and clear enamel is essential in order to successfully finish your project. We wish this write-up was valuable and also we want you the most effective of luck in your painting undertakings.

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Rodney L Herron

Rodney L is a technical writer and product consultant with over a decade of experience in the motor industry. Rodney is a fan of performance machines that run fast and loud and an expert in all things custom. His numerous articles and write-ups are available at our knowledge base. Whether it’s something wrong with your motorcycle or you are building a custom bike, you can trust Rodney’s experience.