ClubCJ - The CJ Lancer Club

I'm sure this modification has been done a million times, and threads have been made a million more times - but extra pics and tricks can never go astray.

So this weekend I decided to pick up two cans of Performix Plasti Dip (Matte Black) from 'Caswell Plating' and spray the mid section of my bumper/grill black, to give it a more aggressive look.
At the risk of pissing off the RA owners, I won't use the words 'Ralliart copy' anywhere throughout this rant - I'm aware they're two different kettles of fish.

So onto pics first, this is how I chose to mask up the front of my car.



Do it however you like, but it is very important to either completely mask the intake grill or put cardboard down inbetween the radiator and the grill.
Radiators and plasti-dip don't get along. I did both because I'm paranoid.

So here's the important part if you haven't fallen asleep already:
The ES Lancers (and VR/VRX I assume) have no distinct line down the sides to mark where the mid-bar ends, and the rest of the bumper continues.
There is however a slight indent to give you some idea. This is circled in red.
To get a clean edge along this line I found that I needed use one or two continuous and straight pieces of masking tape down this seam, and remove it ASAP after each coat while it's still wet and reapply it in the exact same place when it had flashed off for the next coat.
Time consuming, but necessary for a good result.

As with all painting work, the time spent preparing is everything.
Give your car a solid wash, and use a light solvent which won't leave a residue to clean up any wax, bugs, road grime and oil. I used metho, but isopropyl alcohol is the go.
To apply, I used 1 light coat to 'prepare' the surface, then 5 coats getting heavier with each coat. I made videos of each coat if anyone's desperate.



And this was the finished result with all the masking removed.
I considered side/bottom mounting the license plate, but that left all the holes visible left over from the original mounting points on the mid-bar.

P.S I know I need to fix the scrapes under the front lip, that was the previous owner

Nice job, I did mine last week or so. Interesting that you pulled the tape away while it was wet - probably ended up with a neater edge than I did. Not that its a huge issue on my car as I have also put a chrome trim to cover the poor edges.
I like the fact that it can be reversed (I pulled my first effort off to see what it was like ) will be interesting to see how durable it is - ie chips, pressure washers.

Guys,
Good effort guys, looks good.

I think I was actually the first person on these forums to find out about Plastidip and do this mod. Posted all the info and pics in a thread years ago.

I did it almost 3 yrs ago now from memory, about 5 coats, not too thick, that is key or it will run., 20 - 30 odd min apart on a hot summer day to let it dry between coats.

I removed top grill and surround and sprayed that too as it was a dark charcoal grey from the factory, NOT pure black.

Both Still look excellent after all these years.
I just hand wash carefully with sponge whilst doing the car.

I noticed 1 very very small hole in it about a yr ago. Gave it a few quick sprays from can and fixed it perfectly.

I didn't remove the edge tape after every coat. That shallow v shaped indentation in the bumper was a perfect edge to put the blue painters masking tape for a nice straight edge.

When it came to removing it at the end I simply, very lightly and carefully cut the overspray with the point of an exacto knife then carefully peeled off the tape. Perfect.

If you try to just pull tape back carefully when dry it would of course rip it all to pieces due to the rubbery elastic nature of the spray.
If it ever gets badly holed I will simply peel it all off and apply a low satin black bumper paint you can buy at Auto paint stores.

Also did some plastidiping weeks ago.. Blackout tail lights, and door handle

Thanks guys, and good tips Matthew.
I was considering spraying the entire grill to get a perfect colour match also.

Nice one Louie - it seems there's no limit to plasti dip's uses

interesting idea with plasti-dipping the tail lights around the lens!

Are those tail lights plasti-dipped from the inside?

squala wrote:Are those tail lights plasti-dipped from the inside?

No, from the outside.

JaCe wrote:interesting idea with plasti-dipping the tail lights around the lens!

I got the idea from Luke Days awesome looking cj. He vinyl wrap his tail light. He might have pre- cut black vinyl. Try to get in touch with him.

hey does anyone know where to get plasti dip in Perth and how much will it cost?

Your best bet is to get it online. It is not made or generally distributed in Aus so picking it up shop-front will be a challenge.
I bought mine from Caswell Plating; check out their website. And unlike most companies (and eBay) they send by courier not freight so it ends up cheaper!

thanks mate

thanks mate.is it the plastic dip black cause i cant find matte black on the website?

Think he just used black Joel, comes out a matte black colour.
Does someone wanna give this a go and let me know how it turns out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=fv ... PuQOJDQRmM

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AjO9C5Mn10&fea ... playnext=1

Yep BUZZ is right, I'm pretty sure all the colours are matte unless you apply the glossifier coat over the top.