It depends on what type of car parts they are. i have found that it's possible to use a spray paint from a company called krylon metallic if you want a metallic finish. otherwise, rustoleum universal is the best type of paint for plastics because it is so durable and can withstand abuse in high-pressure maintenance applications. however, be warned that the color selection is not broad and there are no custom colors available so if you need something in particular then order from another supplier. to prepare plastic before painting, clean off any wax or dirt covering the surface with an alcohol-soaked rag, then cut large sections out of weather stripping or duct tape to create an even surface for painting by placing edge at vertices where
what kind of paint do you use on plastic car parts?
it varies depending on the part. but to make paint stick, you should spray it with primer first, and then put it in a heated oven for about an hour at around 220 degrees fahrenheit.
once the plastic has been primed, use lacquer or enamel paints which are specifically made for plastics. you can find them at any hardware store where they sell auto paint or automotive supplies. the trick is that acetone usually dissolves polyurethane coatings so if this is your prime coat try not to get too heavy-handed with it. this might be difficult because uneven coverage will cause the exposed areas of plastic underneath to have a glossy appearance once dry so you may need to go over those sections more than once with acet
can plastic car parts be painted?
the answer to this question is hotly debated. experts feel that the chance of paint sticking to plastic components varies from company to company, but can be as low as 50%. this means it's probably worth skipping the painters and asking a plastics manufacturer about painting your parts.
do you need primer to repaint plastic car parts?
primer alone will not always assure a corrosion-free, high gloss finish on plastics.
the plastic can absorb or block some primers and paints that have been formulated for steel substrates. if the primer is too thin then it will penetrate the plastic like water through paper. the paint won't stay adhered to the surface and most of it is lost down into the substrate (the bit you left painted). proper priming is absolutely crucial for good painting results with any material – wood, clay pots, metal, paper mache… etc…
how do you prepare plastic body parts for painting?
it's best not to use plastic body parts at all. some people do so because it saves them the time of sculpting a head, but in most cases it just creates an ugly looking figure that is difficult to paint.
if you're determined to continue using or creating these types of body parts, then one way to prepare them for painting is by cutting the excess plastic off with an exacto knife, then smoothing any rough areas out with putty. this will make the job easier when painting your figure, but there are some precautions you should take before doing so.
firstly, if your basecoat color is darker than the main color you plan on having for this section (i.e., painting white skin)