James Albert is a dirt biker for about 6 years with a passion for helping others get into the sport without knowing anything. He shares...Read more
Painting is one of the quickest and easiest ways to decorate your dirt bike. While some find it easy to do, some find it a difficult task to pull off. Well, while decorating the whole bike can be daunting, painting the dirt bike plastic parts should be an easy job.
So, in this guide today, we’ll talk about how to paint dirt bike plastics to bring a quick facelift.
To paint the bike plastic parts, you need to get the right paint that will stay on the plastic. There are different kinds you can get from the market. You should also consider the method of painting, either with a paint gun or brush.
While you can count those as essentials, you need not overlook automotive primers when the plastic has scratches and a clear coat to protect the paint from getting damaged.
Can Dirt Bike Plastics Be Painted?
Yes, dirt bike plastics can be painted. But there are important rules to follow. Painting your dirt bike plastics is a common practice for many. To paint the plastic part, you will probably want to order the kit that includes a primer, the paint of your choice, and a clear coat.
Painting plastic bike parts is an inexpensive way to make them look great again. Painting the plastic turns them back into their original color, provided the paint matches well. With a little hard work, time, and some prep, you can restore your old dirt bike plastics to their original luster.
Therefore, if your plastics are faded or have scuffs, and you want to restore the look, painting them is a great option. A fresh coat of paint on dirt bike plastics can dramatically change the look of your bike without spending a fortune.
So, when it comes to painting dirt bike plastics, you can paint using either spray paint, an airbrush, or by sending your plastics off to a professional painter. If you are not interested in doing it yourself or feel uncomfortable about painting yourself, hiring a professional is the way to go, and it is worth every penny.
How to Paint Dirt Bike Plastics?
If you need a simple and quick way to change your bike’s plastic look-through painting, here is a step-by-step breakdown of how to do it.
Gather all necessary materials
First, you need to gather the necessary materials to paint your dirt bike plastics. Here is a list of items you will need:
- Degreaser
- Plastic primer
- Paint
- Soap, water, and sandpaper
- Rubbing compound
- Plastic cleaner
Remove plastic from your bike
It is not appropriate for you to paint the plastic while still attached to the bike. You need to remove the plastic from your bike. The easiest way to do this is to take the fasteners for the plastic off one by one and place them in a small container.
You should not lose these fasteners. If you have a piece of masking tape, place it next to the fastener on your bike and write on the tape what part that fastener helps hold on to. It will help you later when putting the plastic back on.
Clean the plastic first
After removing the plastic, you need to clean the dirt from the plastic to create a clean surface. A stiff brush or toothbrush can be used to remove grime and grease.
Also, using a degreaser to get rid of any excess dirt on the plastic will work wonders. Then wash the area with soap and water to remove any grease left by the degreaser. Dry the plastic once washed.
Sandpaper the plastic
You can use a variety of sandpapers to sand the old paint off the plastic. You need to use rough and fine sandpaper. Start with the rough paper, and you will get rid of most of the paint, then go over it with finer paper to smooth out any imperfections and ensure proper adhesion.
The primary reason is to ensure that the new paint stays on the plastic. Therefore, it is never a waste of time.
Prime the plastic
You should prime the plastic with a spray primer designed for use on plastic. You need to prime the plastic if you ever want a perfect outcome with the painting. There are different primers that you can get online.
The primer will help improve adhesion and increase the chance of having a smooth finish on all areas of the plastic. After you are through with priming, you can leave for a few hours and pick the smooth sandpaper to sand it all over again. You should apply until the plastic surface turns out to be smooth.
Paint the plastic
When it comes to painting your dirt bike plastics, it is important to get it done properly. When choosing the paint, you need to choose one that will make the plastic look appealing and protect the plastic from damaging UV rays.
Get the paint with the brush and apply it to the plastic with a thick coating. Also, if you have a spray gun, It will make the task easier and smoother. You should apply the paint without leaving a spot of thinner coating to ensure you have the best outcome.
Once done, leave it to dry. Once the paint is dry on the plastic, you can reinstall the plastic to the dirt bike. You can also put on some Quotes and Sayings during the paint job. Use masking tapes if you do so.
Dirt Bike Painting Tips
The handy dirt bike painting tips below will help you finish your paint job like a pro.
Avoid using cheap paint
Avoid using cheap paint as it will not last. It is best to look in the market and find something that works for you. Cheap paint tends to crack and peel off, and it may look good initially but not after a while.
Avoid getting paint on the tire
Avoid getting paint on the tire; it is difficult to remove and can cause the tire to wear out faster than usual because of the chemical. It is the reason you should consider removing the plastic from the dirt bike before painting.
Follow the right procedure
You need to follow the right steps to get the right result. If you skip a step and move on, you are likely to regret it. Therefore, you should take one step after another and get the right result.
Use safety gear
Use good safety gear when you paint your dirt bike. Goggles, a respirator, and gloves will keep you from inhaling the fumes from the paint, and the goggles will protect your eyes from paint overspray. Also, you should have clothing for the painting task with quality gloves to keep your hands from direct contact with the paint.
Are There Any Risks Related to Painting the Dirk Bike?
There are many risks with painting the dirt bike if you are doing it all by yourself. Truly lack of experience will increase the risk involved.
When painting, failure to use safety gear such as the nose mask means you will inhale the paint fumes, which is unsafe for you. The fume can cause you to feel ill if it inhaled too much. Therefore, using the right safety gear will surely help keep you safe.
In addition, you should not paint with the plastic still attached to the bike. Painting with the plastic attached means you are likely to have the paint on some other parts of the bike, such as the tire, engine, and other parts. It is not safe as it can affect the bike’s performance in one way or another.
How Much Does It Cost to Paint Dirt Bike Plastics?
The price for painting dirt bike plastics varies based on many factors involved. If you are painting yourself, you need to get the materials, and while some are cheap, some are expensive. If you are getting the service of a professional, you should prepare to pay for the service.
On average, a complete paint job on dirt bike plastics can cost between $20-$200.
However, plenty of other factors will influence how much you spend, including the original state of the plastics, the color you wish for them to be painted, and any additional decorations that you might want to incorporate.
If you intend to use the service of any company, you should make a pricing comparison and choose the one that fits your budget. Also, you will do yourself a lot of good to hand over the task to a trusted company as you will always get the right service without regret.
Conclusion
Most of the bike plastics get exposed to lots of abuse, from roost to crashes, and can get damaged in the process. The appearance or look might fade off due to scratches, UV rays’ impact, and many more. And now that you have the idea of how to paint dirt bike plastic, you should be able to restore your dirt bike plastic appearance for a better look.
Now that you can save yourself hiring an expert and doing the task yourself, you can spend extra on better paint. No matter what you do, be sure to follow the safety rules. Wear a mask, don’t paint the plastic while it’s on the bike. Remove them and then paint. Make sure the environment is prepared beforehand so that you don’t mess things up.
James Albert is a dirt biker for about 6 years with a passion for helping others get into the sport without knowing anything. He shares his expertise and reviews dirt bikes and related tools.
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