Plasti Dip Your Car and Car Accessories

In this guide, you will learn a step-by-step process to add a different look to your car and car accessories using plasti dip. Plasti dip is a substance utilized for wheels and cars to protect their original surfaces during the winter season. Plasti dip is a high quality product that is resistant to sun fading, winter ice, cold, and salt. It is also a durable yet removable substance that will peel off after a long period of time. Most importantly, anyone can use this product to display a clean and matte look for his or her car while completely remaining free of harm.

Steps

  1. Find a suitable area. Find an area that is large enough to house the car and is extremely ventilated. A good suggested area would be an open garage, but if that is not possible, outside under the shade is a good area. Avoid direct sunlight.
  2. Gather materials. Gather the materials needed listed in the Things you’ll need section.
  3. Properly Wash and Clean the surface. Before applying any type of plasti dip to the car, it must be clean. The plasti dip is an overlay so it will form a separate layer on top of any surface as well as dirt, raised surfaces, or bird poop found on the car. In other words, you want a clean surface to work with.
  4. Surface MUST be dry.After cleaning the area, dry it with a cloth of your choice. Personally I use Meguiar's Water Magnet Drying Towel, but you can use any terry towel. Avoid using shirts with designs or logos and paper towels.These will create scratches.
  5. Prepare the area. Although plasti dip is already easy to remove, you would want to prepare the area. Preparing the area you wish to apply the plasti dip reduces the hassle of removing the over spray later. Using painters tape and newspapers, cover windows and any designated area that you do not want to get plasti dip on.
  6. Shake the can. As with any spray-on material, it will need vigorous shaking. Shake the can for 1 minute.
  7. Paint in sections.Painting in sections will allow for the fastest time(6-8 hours) through this process. For example, add a first layer to the hood, while the hood is drying add a first layer to the roof, etc. You do not need to start on the hood. You may start wherever you like.- important note! do not touch Plasti dip on car at any point in time during the process as to avoid any mis-painted spots. Plasti dip is safe to touch after curing. It is recommended to wear a mask and eye protection.
  8. Spray the first layer.It is very important that this layer is a light dusting because the first layer is the bonding layer meaning it will be a 50 -60% transparency. This will allow the rest of the layers to bond and stick to the paint. Spray in a clean sweeping motion, making sure to hold the can {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} away from the area. Allow plasti dip to dry 15-30 minutes depending on climate, before adding the next layer
  9. Spray additional layers.Increasing the layers on top of the first will only increase the durability of the plasti dip. The average amount of layers is 4-5. Any additional amount of layers is up to personal satisfaction. The layers after the first will be light  layers in which you will fully coat the area. Spray in a clean sweeping motion, making sure to hold the can {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} away from the area. Remember Allow 15-30 minutes of drying time in between each layer.
  10. Tape/newspaper removal.After the final layer is applied, immediately remove any painter's Tape or newspaper that may have been used, from the immediate area, and toss them in the trash. Remove before plasti dip dries.
  11. Cure time. At this point the plasti dip will take 4 hours to fully cure. At ALL costs, avoid any form of liquid, or any substance that may cause damage to the area. It may ruin the curing process.
  12. Spray car accessories.For car accessories such as emblems and the grille, repeat steps 1 - 11. Spray onto emblems or grille only.    - important note! if the car is currently in the curing process, wait until car is fully cured before preparing the area. Spraying the car accessories can be done while painting the main body of the car.
  13. Plasti dip rims.The cleanest way to apply plasti dip your rims is to remove the wheels completely from the car. Follow respective car manual on how to remove entire wheel from car. Repeat steps 1-11 for the rims. It is completely optional to cover the rubber of the wheel as plasti dip is easily removable. But covering the rubber ensures easy clean up. (Wranglerforum.com)



Tips

  • It is recommended to use a professional spray gun from your local hardware and appliance store as well as a bucket of plasti dip instead of cans. But it can be done with the can and a regular spray trigger.
  • Do not try to do this fast, because you will mess up.
  • The perfect distance to spray is exactly 6 in away from the part. Try to keep the same distance.
  • To maintain its durability, it is suggested to minimally apply 4-5 coats for a matte look
  • Shake cans really well before spraying. If not it will spray clear.
  • It is best to use 3 X 5 index cards to cover the surrounding of the tires, so you don’t paint the tires.
  • When prepping the area to be painted, tape at least {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} away from the area to be painted to allow over spray for easy removal.
  • The car will have a matte finish, but there are products that will give it a glossified look such as Performix glossifier.
  • For big projects as plasti dipping the whole car, use a spray trigger. This is for comfort and reduces the chance of hand cramps.
  • Do not spray too close because “it will be too thick” and it will “bubble up with pin holes” (Fonzie, B) also, do not spray too far because it will get very textured.
  • Have patience and your car will look exactly as you wanted.
  • Remember projects like this take time and patience. Rushing will only lower the quality of work. My personal suggestion is to do the rims and the body of the car on separate days to ensure highest quality work. Although it is possible to do the entire car in one day.

Warnings

  • Wash hands after using.
  • Extremely flammable harmful vapor. Irritates eyes, skin and respiratory tract.
  • Keep away from heat sources, open flame, and sparks.
  • Do not puncture or incinerate container.
  • Contents under pressure. “If ingested contact physician or Poison Control immediately. If inhaled remove to fresh air. Administer Oxygen or Artificial Respiration if necessary. If contact with: Flush with large amounts of water. If irritation persists, contact Physician”.
  • Avoid skin and eye contact. Overexposure may cause numbness in extremities, which persist for some period of time and may be permanent.
  • Do not store can above {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}.

Things You'll Need

  • Painter’s tape {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} wide
  • Newspapers
  • Performix plasti dip (About 15-20 cans depending on the size of the car)
  • - each 11 oz can covers 6 sq ft at 5 mils thickness
  • Spray trigger (Optional, make sure it fits can)
  • Spray gun (optional)
  • 2 one-gallon buckets of plastidip (only if using spray gun)
  • Painter’s mask (does not need to be professional can be disposable masks)
  • Index Cards
  • Gloves (plastic)
  • Painters goggles
  • Old clothes (In case you get dip on you)
  • Nice open space
  • Water (in case of emergency)

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  • Fonzie, Brad, Patrick.Dipyourcar.com. Dipyourcar. Web. 27 March 2012
  • Jeffk42. “Plast dip Coating Wheels”.WranglerForum.com. WranglerForum. 19 December 2011. Web. 27 March 2012
  • Plastidip International.Perfomix Brand by Plastidip International. Plastidip International. Web. 28 March 2012.
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