Dirt bike riding is an intense sport, so scratches on your motorcycle are often unavoidable. If you’re tired of your motorcycle’s appearance and wish to have a new look, you might be asking, “can you paint dirt bike plastics to get rid of those scratch lines?”
Fortunately, you can paint your dirt bike plastics to make your bike look cooler or cleaner. Continue reading below because we’ll teach you the ways and tips on how to paint dirt bike plastics!
Table of Contents
What to Prepare
To make dirt bike plastics look new, here’s what you need to prepare before painting your dirt bike.
- Water
- Soap or plastic cleaner
- Sponge or brush
- Sandpaper
- Primer
- Dirt bike plastics paint
- Finishing coat
Ways to Paint Dirt Bike Plastics
Now that you have everything you need to paint your bike, here are the detailed steps to ensure you get the job done correctly.
1. Prepare dirt bike plastics
The first step is to remove the plastics from your motorcycle to ready them for cleaning and painting. Carefully lay them on the floor or any clean surface.
2. Clean dirt bike plastics
After you have removed the plastics, it’s time for cleaning. Cleaning dirt bike plastics is important to remove the grime and dirt on them, making them easier to paint.
You can soak the plastics in the water with soap to easily remove the dirt. After, you may brush them using a sponge to ensure no dust or grime is left on the plastics.
3. Time for sanding
Once you’re done cleaning your dirt bike plastics with water and soap, sand them to remove the plastics’ clear coat and scratch lines. Use 180 grit sandpaper to better remove the unwanted scratch lines or imperfections.
After, use a soft cloth or a sponge to clear dirt bike plastics of dust or ensure the plastics are spotless.
4. Put your primer
Now that the fairings are looking clean and spotless, it’s time to apply your primer. This is an essential step before putting your paint because it makes your plastics look smooth and shiny, in addition to allowing the paint to stick well to the plastic.
Wait for around 5-10 minutes to let the primer dry before putting color using the dirt bike spray paint or your choice of paint type.
5. Spray painting dirt bike plastics
Now for the fun part! Some people might ask, “Can you spray paint dirt bike plastics?” And the answer is yes!
With spray cans, apply your chosen paint color to your dirt bike plastics. Make sure you’re consistent with your spraying to avoid uneven surfaces.
6. Apply clear coat
Once everything has dried out, apply a clear coat or clear lacquer to your dirt bike plastics to give them added protection and keep them shiny. You may choose any finishing type for the final touch.
7. Let the paint dry
Let your dirt bike paint dry well before moving them to not mess with the paint. Depending on the type of paint you use, you may wait overnight or more before you can reassemble it to your motorcycle.
8. Put the dirt bike plastics back on
Now that you’re done painting your dirt bike fairings, put the ABS plastic or dirt bike plastics back to your dirt bike. Time to enjoy the new look of your bike!
Painting Techniques for Dirt Bike Plastics
Painting dirt bike plastics is an easy but sensitive process. Thus, here are some painting techniques to ensure your paint will stick to the motorcycle and won’t peel off after a day or two.
1. Dos and don’ts
- Do clean your dirt bike plastics thoroughly to easily apply the coating and paint.
- Do apply a base coat of white before adding any additional colors to ensure the paint sticks well to the plastics.
- Don’t use rough materials to clean your motorcycle fairings like steel wool to avoid damaging the plastics further.
- Don’t paint the plastics during a rainy day because it’ll be harder to dry them.
2. Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Peeling paint: To successfully paint plastic motorcycle parts, make sure to use primers and spray paint that is dedicated to plastics.
- Uneven paint: This problem is usually due to inconsistent spraying or applying paint without letting the primer dry thoroughly. If this happens, sand the plastic again to get rid of the uneven surface before applying your new coat.
- Chipping paint: This issue is most likely due to painting plastics that were not cleaned properly. Make sure to remove the dirt and uneven surfaces on the plastic by washing and sanding them before applying your paint.
In this video, you can see the techniques and the proper way to paint dirt bike plastics.
3. Types of Paint for Dirt Bike Plastics
To get the job done successfully, here are the best paints for dirt bike plastics!
- Acrylic: This type is water-based, so this is easy to work with. The Krylon Fusion or Krylon plastic paint (e.g., Krylon K01707077 High Heat Spray Paint) is one of the best acrylic spray paints for dirt bike plastics not only because they’re affordable but also dries quickly.
- Enamel: This type of paint is more durable because it’s oil-based. For instance, Dupli-Color DA1603-6 Enamel Paint has a semi-gloss finish and is highly durable, which is perfect for rough rides.
For the primer, some of the best formulated plastic primer in the market are Krylon CoverMaxx Primer and Rust-Oleum Specialty Plastic Primer Spray!
Tips for Achieving a Professional Finish on Dirt Bike Plastics
To achieve that professional finish on your dirt bike fairings, make sure you add a finishing coat to your dirt bike plastics.
Here are examples of types you can choose for your dirt bike’s finishing look.
- Glossy: A glossy finish will make your bike more shiny and allows you to easily remove the scratches on them. It’s also thicker and won’t fade immediately, so it gives more protection to your motorcycle.
- Matte: Choosing matte will give your dirt bike a smooth finish. Also, the scratches or dirt are not highly visible compared to having a glossy finish, so it’s not high maintenance.
Curing and Finishing Touches
To cure the spray paint well, use a thin coat and make sure it’s dried completely before adding your finishing touches. It usually takes about 24 – 48 hours for the paint to cure well. You can wait for up to 4 days to be sure.
Once done, you may now add your preferred finish type, such as glossy or matte, for your dirt bike plastics. Make sure to wait for several days more before bringing your newly painted bike for a ride.
Maintenance and Longevity Tips
Now that you know how to restore old plastics of your dirt bike by painting them, here are some maintenance and longevity tips to not waste your money and effort.
- Store your motorcycle properly: Storing your dirt bike in a dry cool area will protect it from direct sunlight that will ruin your motorcycle’s paint and other elements such as rain.
- Clean your dirt bike regularly: When you clean your dirt bike consistently, the paint will stay much longer, and you can maintain its glossy or matte finish. Just make sure to not use hard materials when cleaning to avoid damaging your fairings.
- Apply wax or polish: To maintain the shiny look of your dirt bike, consider investing in wax or polish to add more protection to the plastics of your motorcycle.
FAQs
What are the benefits of painting your dirt bike plastics?
Painting dirtbike plastics will give your dirt bike a new appearance. It’ll also protect your motorcycle from scratches, dirt, or debri that may damage your dirt bike.
How much does it cost to paint dirt bike plastic?
It depends on the paint or materials you’ll use. On average, you may spend around $30 to $100 to paint dirt bike plastics.
However, if you opt for more expensive materials, the project may cost you several hundreds of dollars.
How long does it take for the paint to fully cure?
Depending on your choice of dirt bike paint, it generally takes 24 hours or more before the paint completely dries out.
How can I prevent paint from chipping or peeling off?
Choose paint that’s specifically made for plastics to ensure that the paint sticks well to the fairings. Also, make sure you cleaned the parts properly before applying a coat or paint.
Conclusion
As a dirt bike owner, it’s essential to maintain the look of your dirt bike. Luckily, you can give your motorcycle a new appearance and give it an added layer of protection by painting its plastics!
Make sure you keep in mind the instructions and tips above on how to paint dirt bike plastics to avoid any type of problem when doing your project. Just relax, and you’re now ready to show that glossy or matte finish to your friends!
