Plasti Dipin' chrome trim

Voodoomelon

Hey guys.
Not detailing as such, but any tips and tricks on using Plasti Dip?

I'm gonna spray the chrome trim around my windows black and then use the Glossifier to get a decent shine.

I've sprayed a lot of stuff over the years with spray paint, computers, guns, plastic models, car trim so am fairly decent. Anything I should know about Plasti Dip? What about drying times and surface preparation?

Thanks!

kdevitt

I've used it a few times on exterior parts and am not impressed by it. I've never seen it applied and come out totally smooth for a start - and forget about trying to sand it back if you back a mistake! I find it pretty decent for replicating the soft touch surfaces on interior trim though.

You're not meant to prep the surface other than use panel wipe on it - so not keying etc. I'd highly recommend using a vinyl film to do the trim instead.

Voodoomelon

Yeh a lot of people are saying they went the vinyl route after, but to be honest if I was going to vinyl, I might as well spray paint instead.

Plasti Dip is arriving tomorrow so will give some spare parts a test run.

Supergurrier

It will look like a disaster after the first 2 light coats (like badly applied aerosol primer) but after 3/4 coats it all comes together.

Just clean it down well and have the can room temperature or slightly warmer and shake it alot same as spray paint

Alanstrainor

I am going to do this myself (maybe tomorrow). So let us know how you got on if you took the plunge, and I'll do the same if I beat you to the punch.

Voodoomelon

Will do, just got car back so will give it a go over the weekend.

Voodoomelon

Yeh so I made a balls of it.

Couldn't believe my eyes they way the first coat went on, in horrendous blobs and botches. Was about 12 Celsius when I applied it.

I see now that you really do need to sit the can in warm water first, get it up to 25 degrees.

Almost reluctant to post pics after all the other coats, it has a very textured finish. It's not awful, but far from the piano black I was looking for!

Alanstrainor

I didn't have a chance to try it. But I'll take the advice in this thread and warm it before applying! I'll be doing this outdoors, so the wind on the weekend didn't exactly help things.

MarkR

Voodoomelon wrote: »

Yeh so I made a balls of it.

Couldn't believe my eyes they way the first coat went on, in horrendous blobs and botches. Was about 12 Celsius when I applied it.

I see now that you really do need to sit the can in warm water first, get it up to 25 degrees.

Almost reluctant to post pics after all the other coats, it has a very textured finish. It's not awful, but far from the piano black I was looking for!

Come on. We all want to see the train wreck! Sure it'll peel off anyway, and you can try again.

Chris_Heilong

its meant to have a ****ty first coat, dont worry just keep going, after 3 coats it will look great.

Voodoomelon

Nah truely it came out crap.









High resolution picture here. That's 4-5 coats and 2 coats of glossifier.

From a distance it's fine, 3-4ft or closer and you can see the texture.

I got a quote for highgloss trim to replace the chrome JUST around the windows. £750stg exVAT, including 10% discount!

Think i'll go ahead with the paint quote I already got, €350 to do the whole car.

MarkR

Did you use all of it? Would you not give it another go? Your preparation worked seemed excellent!

dar83

Wow, surprised at the results you got here. Soerry I only saw this topic now I could have given you some advice on preparation and application. Looks like you got a very blotchy application which to me would suggest the PlastiDip wasn't warm enough or shaken enough before applying. It might aslo suggest that you held the can sideways while doing it? I've found PlastiDip really doesn't like being held any way other than straight up. You may also have been holding the can too close to the car as you should be applying a mist not blobs. I also find wiping the nozzle after every few sprays helps prevent blobbing also as it keeps it clear and spraying in a mist

The key to a good finish is apply very gradually, the DipYourCar video's are good at showing this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K3mH0w9kR8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8MDJGeIIk0

Voodoomelon

Aye I watched loads of their videos and it all looked very straight forward. It was the temperature. As soon as I had it heated up, it came out like a mist as it should. But I had already completed two coats at that stage, no undoing the damage.

I'm actually going to go out now and peel it off, and drop the trim in next week to be sprayed piano black. I want it to look factory, I don't think Plasti Dip will ever give me the result I want (fully admitting i f'd it up).

kdevitt

Voodoomelon wrote: »

I want it to look factory, I don't think Plasti Dip will ever give me the result I want (fully admitting i f'd it up).

You're right - even the expert video above has a crappy finish on it if you look at the vids.

Voodoomelon

I agree, whilst his finish is better on wheels and the like, close ups reveal light texture.

I pulled it all off today, at least it comes off easy. 90% can of glossifier going if anyone wants it!

kdevitt

Sure just look at the reflection off the top-most spoke in the wheel vid - looks diabolical.

At least it came off for you - I had a nightmare getting it off before.

dar83

kdevitt wrote: »

Sure just look at the reflection off the top-most spoke in the wheel vid - looks diabolical.

At least it came off for you - I had a nightmare getting it off before.

The wheel vid did look slightly dodgy around the top alright, it has Orange Peel effect which is pretty bad.

I have parts of my car dipped that have a very smooth finish so it is possible.



For the finish you want to go for though, I think professionally is the only way. Piano black is beautiful but not very PlastiDip possible.

MarkR

Voodoomelon wrote: »

I agree, whilst his finish is better on wheels and the like, close ups reveal light texture.

I pulled it all off today, at least it comes off easy. 90% can of glossifier going if anyone wants it!

Where abouts are you? I suppose you're keeping the black?

Voodoomelon

I'm in Dundalk. Black is all gone.