Repainting Plastic

[Lbrown311]

Wondering what is the best way to remove the clear coat on the platic parts. Tried to sand but I don't like the inconsistancies that come along with it. Very hard to tell when the clear is gone from one spot versus another. Also any thoughts on the best paint brand in gloss black. Thanks.

On a side note does anyone have a paint brand that matches the 79 stock colors?

[skids]

Don't try paint stripper. It will eat the plastic. Unfortunately, sanding is probably the only way and to make matters worse, paint can be a harder material than the plastic!

[crazy steve]

...On a side note does anyone have a paint brand that matches the 79 stock colors?

Nope....

[Lbrown311]

So would it be best to sand to the plastic color or just try to get through the clear?

[crazy steve]

Just scuff it down the original color if the paint is semi-decent. Going all the way to the bare plastic might cause issues with paint bond...

[mikubuilder]

yeah, just rough it up, and paint with plastic primer(adhesive)...My buddy who paints for living found me a 99' honda civic color matches the burgundy(don't know about the brown on the tank...)

[natemoen]

When I redid my plastics I went all the way down to the plastic. When I went to prime them the plastic just kept sucking up the paint! When I put a coat on the paint was dry so fast cause the plastic just sucked everything in. I highly doubt there will be ANY bonding issues.

[barrelguy]

I just finished repainting my plastic side covers and saddle bags. Took it all the way down to plastic with 220 grit then cleaned up the swirls with 400 then 600. I picked up Plastic Primer from Lordco Auto Parts - 2 coats then 3 coats of gloss black then 3 coats of clear coat. Looks great if I do say so myself!

[Lbrown311]

Any pics of those side covers you painted. Need some motivation to get her done. Maybe if I saw some....

[natemoen]

Any pics of those side covers you painted. Need some motivation to get her done. Maybe if I saw some....

[jwhughes3]

Mikubuilder! Share the info!

yeah, just rough it up, and paint with plastic primer(adhesive)...My buddy who paints for living found me a 99' honda civic color matches the burgundy(don't know about the brown on the tank...)

Lots of folks been trying to match 78 maroon...if you have a Honda paint code share it here please!

John

[crazy steve]

Lots of folks been trying to match 78 maroon...if you have a Honda paint code share it here please!

John

He's got a '79, so that would be 'Magenta Red', not the same thing....

[mharrington]

I wet sanded my plastic with 400 grit. I did not go down to the base plastic but really scuffed up the oem paint real good. Wiped it all down with a wax and grease remover and then sprayed high build primer. I then wet sanded the primer with 600 grit. Had a painter shoot the red. It is not mandatory to remove all the paint from ABS plastic. You will find wet sanding with 400 cuts thru paint FAST.

Painted parts


1979 XS1100F

[jjz28]

good looking bikes for sure. I need to do mine.

[Lbrown311]

So I took the larger grit advice and went after one of the side covers last night. I used 180 dry paper and it worked pretty good(would have prefered wet paper but used what I had ). Then I wet sanded with 600 and it turned out pretty good. The pin decal stripping around the covers is a real pain. Would definately advise trying to remove those before sanding too far as it can result in uneveness. Not that I would know anything about that I have the rear cowl and left side cover ready to go. Need to do the right side and the tank and seat stripes on the lower part of the seat. Also need to try to glue the locking tab that I randomly found in a parts box that was broken on mine. Dumb luck pays off sometimes I guess. Just need to make a good bond as there isn't a lot of stress on it. Then it will be onward with the painting and then polishing the aluminum and chrome. Bought some Blue Job for the chrome. Anyone have a good aluminum polish?