Painting Plastics

[Scooterbob]

I'm wanting to paint the upper plastics that surround the gas tank and gauges.  Has anyone done this with success?  I am looking for different options.
I'm guessing that I can just scuff the plastics and then lay a nice layer of paint on them, but is there a different tactic recommended?  I even saw someone mention the idea of Rhino Liner on them, in a different post.  What is going to hold up and not show too many scratches (if cared for correctly of course)?

{Sorry if this is in the wrong section. Please flame me  and move accordingly}

[ccsct203]

I remove scratches with headlight polish for mine
Works well and gives I also use tire shine for a gloss
Clay

[Scooterbob]

I remove scratches with headlight polish for mine
Works well and gives I also use tire shine for a gloss
Clay

I think I'm beyond the polish option. Mine appear to have had brake fluid or something spilled on the right side. Think that plastic polish would buff that out/off?

[ccsct203]

i had the same issue with brake fluid too
you may try a very fine grit paper first then polish it
the headlight paste is blue and may leave your grates discolored. Just mask the grates and paint them with semi-gloss if needed
you could try to "cover" the black plastic if you  can find a gloss black or semi-gloss black super strength contact paper type material. Some place makes a carbon fiber look material too

[rktmanfj]

Bob,

I also had one of the panels that the PO had dripped brake fluid on.  I just roughed the surface with sandpaper, then filled the pockmarks with spot putty, sanded smooth, and painted with satin black plastic paint.  That was 2 or 3 years ago, and it still looks fine.  Adding soft plastic automotive door edge trim to the outside edge of the inner panels eliminated a lot of the squeaks and rattles in the fairing.

Randy T
Indy

[Scooterbob]

Bob,

I also had one of the panels that the PO had dripped brake fluid on.  I just roughed the surface with sandpaper, then filled the pockmarks with spot putty, sanded smooth, and painted with satin black plastic paint.  That was 2 or 3 years ago, and it still looks fine.  Adding soft plastic automotive door edge trim to the outside edge of the inner panels eliminated a lot of the squeaks and rattles in the fairing.

Randy T
Indy

Sounds good. I think I will try that version.  Thanks. 

[Ned]

Bob - if you respray, use a polyurethane or enamel not lacquer as it's less likely to react. You should also prime with a compatible primer/undercoat if you want a lasting finish. Mine are painted as they had cracks around the screw holes that I fixed by reinforcing the back with fibreglass tissue and polyester resin.

Ned

[junkyardroad]

At your local auto body supplier you can buy SEM Plastic Adhesion Promoter. It comes in an aerosol can and is used mostly for automobile bumper covers.
Then use your favorite epoxy primer, then paint.  I prefer PPG Concepts.

[rktmanfj]

Or you could just use this stuff:

http://www.krylon.com/products/fusion_for_plastic/

Dries fast, and looks good 2 years later.

I used the Satin Black on mine.

Randy T
Indy

[Scooterbob]

Nice!
I just got done trying the plastic polish and it did very little after a lot of work. I will go with this paint you recommend. Looks more promising. Thanks.