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Old Jul 8, 2005 | 10:24 AM
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Painting plastic

I've painted my grill to match my truck, however I've now had problems with the paint holding up to the elements. It's starting to chip, crack, and discolor with time, and I want to try and fix it this weekend if I get some time. Here is the steps I took to paint it, and I need some input on what I may have missed or different brand of products to use...

1) Sanded grill
2) Washed with soap and water
3) Applied a paint prep for plastics called Bully Dog
4) Several coats of Plasti-Coat in Oxford White
5) Sanded smooth and cleaned
6) Several more coats
7) Couple of layers of clear coat, same brand as paint

Help me out here, I want to keep my truck looking nice, and I don't want a billet grill since those are everywhere. Here are a few pics when I finished my truck and what I want my grill to continue looking like.



 
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Old Jul 8, 2005 | 11:41 AM
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Maybe you just put too many coats on it? It's plastic and wants to give, all that paint may not want to give as much as it should.

One or two coats should be enough.
 
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Old Jul 8, 2005 | 11:57 AM
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Although a great product, is Plasti-Kote actually designed to be used over bare plastic? I always thought the 'Plasti' in Plasti-Kote had more to do with the chemical make-up of the product itself.

If this is true, then I would say (based on the steps you outlined) that there should have been a primer included in your process specifically designed to go over plastic. My .02 cents.
 
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Old Jul 8, 2005 | 12:07 PM
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Plasti-kote's website: http://www.plastikote.com/plastikote/index.jsp

And they do have a plastic paint:
http://www.plastikote.com/plastikote...roduct=BTColor

Did you use the type for plastic?
 
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Old Jul 8, 2005 | 12:22 PM
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I understand what you mean, painted mine too.
The degrading effect on my end comes mainly from rocks and such.
I'm thinking about putting a clear coat of polyurethane on it.
That should keep the paint on.

Your's looks really nice painted white.
 
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Old Jul 8, 2005 | 12:45 PM
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They do make a plastic primer.

http://www.plastikote.com/plastikote...=PlasticPrimer
 
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Old Jul 8, 2005 | 01:10 PM
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Well, I was thinking I need a better primer than they Bully Dog, which is more of a paint adhesive. The other problem is the clear coat. My paint is stained right now with water marks, and the clear coat is rubbing off which is weird to say the least.

At any rate, keep the ideas coming. If nothing else I know someone who can paint it for me for a fairly cheap price. I'd rather do this myself though, I like weekend hobbies.
 
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Old Jul 8, 2005 | 01:28 PM
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Go to a place that does spray in bed liners. Ask them to give you a call when they have some white liner material mixed up. Make a deal with them to spray your grill, mask it all off before you go. They have to do something with the left over material, might as well spray your grill. Offer them 20-25 bucks. I've done the same thing with cab steps before.
 
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Old Jul 8, 2005 | 03:26 PM
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In the event of a re-do, I think I would go with an all-automotive line of products. Every time I have ever mixed and matched different product lines (brands), my results have always been marginal at best.

I am partial to the DuPont line of automotive paints. I have used their #2319S plastic adhesion promoter with much success. This product allows topcoat of any of their paint systems, and depending on the flexabilty of the item to be painted, you can add 'flex agents' to the paint also (which I do not believe is necessary for your grill). Furthermore, in addition to paint product compatability, you have the side benefit of a spectrum of colors to choose from.
 
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