Plasti Dip your Car

[BWillie]

I have a tree hugging ghey looking Prius 2011 Prius. I want to make it a different color, protect the finish & clear coat during the winter, while covering up some surface blemishes.

Anyone have any experience with this stuff? Apparently you can put whatever color you want, and as long as you spray it with enough coats it should be easy to peel off when you are ready.

I'm not a DIY kind of person because I'm a sorry excuse for a man, so would need to find someone around KC to do it for me. Hoping around $400 total.

[BWillie]

Not sure why people think vehicles define you or your manhood. I find it odd.

[MTG#10]

Originally Posted by BWillie

Not sure why people think vehicles define you or your manhood. I find it odd.

Blame women.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by BWillie

Not sure why people think vehicles define you or your manhood. I find it odd.

We don't make the rules man, we just play by them.

I pulled up to pick up my wife in my shitty (but nice) little Nissan Sentra...my wife gets in and says, "Baby, we need to get your Firebird put back together and on the road, you just don't look right in this".

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

We don't make the rules man, we just play by them.

I pulled up to pick up my wife in my shitty (but nice) little Nissan Sentra...my wife gets in and says, "Baby, we need to get your Firebird put back together and on the road, you just don't look right in this".

I must have found the right one. Mine really doesn't care what kind of vehicle I have. I guess if I was single, maybe I would have a nicer car. But don't have any plans. Too much work.

Girls don't like boys girls like cars and money. I think that was a Good Charlotte lyric

[Bwana]

What could possibly go wrong?

[cooper barrett]

I thought I would put together my thoughts and experiance of shooting cars using plexidip and the ready to spray version. Yes you can add the solvent yourself and come out cheaper but without warranty (I know: what warranty!!)
1st off I suggest a HVLP paint sprayer (warm, dry air) to shoot it with and the proper needle. I think it is a 1.5mm tip and nozzle for HVLP. You can spray with air using a 1.8mm tip but make sure you have filters for oil, water and dirt in line. Remember this is cold wet air your using.

I have sprayed whole cars with this and the key is in the details. You must clean it really really well, I suggest Dawn to get clean and then a citrus degreaser, and then another wash with Dawn.* If you have to do any repairs just prime them with 2 part epoxy primer and then wet sand and compound it to a shine.
Once done you need to remove all silicon,wax, and grease with a solvent made for the job. (follow the directions). Mask everything as best possible. It is better to mask less than too much as you can exacto cut and peel the overspray.

Make sure you have epoxy thinner or Industrial Maintenance Coating Thinner handy for use as needed. Prep the paint per directions, strain into gun, I suggest a real organic respirator for this job but others just use really good cone filters in a ventilated area, Use a real respirator not a toy!!!!

Start with an old body panel or sealed cardboard box (TV) to get a feel for prime, wet, slick coats as you don't want runs.:cuss

Start on the roof and do the whole roof. I stand on a ladder and spray away from my body to get a wet seam when I move to the other side.
Move to your quarter, door(s), and fender. then your hood and the down the other side and move on to the trunk (if you are painting bumpers then do them after the hood or trunk lid).

Wait the recoat per instructions and then repeat 2 more times. WARNING allow to dry completely, recoating over unflashed product will call lifting and bubbling!!!!! ** tip; I change direction on the 2nd full coat to avoid streaking but always paint the last 2 coats side to side.

*** PRO TIP:You now know about how much you need to go amount the vehicle. Make up another batch adding 10-15% thinner in the mix. Test it on your test box and see how smooth it becomes.. If you don't like it, skip this stage.. Practice till you can cover without runs!

After the dry time has passed spray a heavy, without runs, coat on the car as before and let it dry per directions.

Inspect for issues and uniformity and correct as needed, If a door doesn't look perfect, as in, lack of product applied, this is when you can fix it. Spray using the thinned final coat material as needed respecting dry times. SPRAY THE COMPLETE PANEL BLENDING INTO THE ADJACENT PANELS

You can now get a trash can ready and: A, carefully remove masking or B, clean up your gun, tools and trash. either way it's your call. I say mask then clean as you have earned yourself a beer while cleaning up!!!!

Insert picture of a cold craft brew here!!!!

Hopefully this either inspires you or scares you from this process but it is easy and fun and yes if you put a 5 coats total (one light prime, 3 full coats, and a slick coat on the car it will peel right off.


* never wash your car with Dawn unless you are waxing it immediately after!!

[Reerun_KC]

Originally Posted by MTG#10

I didnt realize that whole truck was lined...after enlarging I can see it now. How did it look up close? Ive read they look good from a distance/in pics but not great up close. I didnt get a chance to see the Jeep very close.

It was awesome. Nice texture all around. We blocked sanded the truck, primered it then sprayed it with the liner.

[cooper barrett]

Originally Posted by BWillie

Not sure why people think vehicles define you or your manhood. I find it odd.

Hmm... because saying to valet that your car is the sky blue Prius makes everyone around you laugh thinking of a Jeff Dunham monologue. just imagine the wrist flipping.

Because I am lacking on the cranial follicle department and the Silver Mercedes convertible make up for it.

I drive a 78 El Camino SS, white w polished Z-28 spoke wheels (I am tired of people wanting me to sell it to them that I have never met) and a 2005 Crown Vic (four shades of white) for daily drivers (The Ford is for winter). When ever i pick my SO up in them she always reminds me that "This ride is not why she loves me" as she looks at bulge in my pants as it expands:

Yes I am well known for my performance antics as we leave her place of employment.

I have often thought about grabbing a old, cheap Prius and replacing the old cop car and then I think about replenishing the batteries ($1000 DIY), when the Ford knows that if it brakes, it's gone to the scrapper. All it gets is oil changes and tire repairs and a battery 3 years ago from the junkyard.

[cooper barrett]

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

It was awesome. Nice texture all around. We blocked sanded the truck, primered it then sprayed it with the liner.

It looks like you missed that divot on the bumper.

Seriously, what product and what was the texture like.. was it shiney .Did it sell fast...

I shoot floor pans on restorations I have done with Rhino, as it is a great sound deadener. I have used it on a lot on outdoor hardware and ornaments. I even sprayed it on the top and bottom of my 60" mower deck and was amazed how well it worked. I have never used the DYI stuff as all the beds I have seen look like crap compared to Rhino. Seeing your truck painted with it struck me in awe.

Would you do it again

[hometeam]

My Focus wing has been plasti dipped black for 3 years now no issues.

[hometeam]

Originally Posted by BWillie

Not sure why people think vehicles define you or your manhood. I find it odd.

Yea, well, you drive a prius, so that doesn't surprise me~

[Cannibal]

Originally Posted by hometeam

Yea, well, you drive a prius, so that doesn't surprise me~

you're right