***** ALERT - Nominations for your new ClubCJ Committee can be made here *****

Plasti Dip Blackout

Exterior Parts/Accessories & Modifications.

Moderators: Moderators, Senior Moderators

User avatar
Frosty
Lancer ES/EX
Lancer ES/EX
Posts: 179
Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2012 5:44 pm
Location: Sydney, NSW

Plasti Dip Blackout

Postby Frosty » Fri Aug 24, 2012 4:11 pm

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.

Image

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.

Image

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 8)

burgo
Lancer Learner
Lancer Learner
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Jul 13, 2011 6:53 pm
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Postby burgo » Fri Aug 24, 2012 4:24 pm

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 :P) will be interesting to see how durable it is - ie chips, pressure washers.

User avatar
aussie027
Lancer Ralliart
Lancer Ralliart
Posts: 554
Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2008 4:02 am
Location: Perth, WA, Australia

Postby aussie027 » Fri Aug 24, 2012 5:23 pm

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.
:lol:
I FIND YOUR LACK OF FAITH DISTURBING......
Image

User avatar
Tong-sea
Lancer VR/GT
Lancer VR/GT
Posts: 201
Joined: Mon Jun 11, 2012 10:52 am
Location: Melbourne

Postby Tong-sea » Fri Aug 24, 2012 6:04 pm

Image

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

User avatar
Frosty
Lancer ES/EX
Lancer ES/EX
Posts: 179
Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2012 5:44 pm
Location: Sydney, NSW

Postby Frosty » Fri Aug 24, 2012 6:53 pm

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 :P

User avatar
JaCe
Alumni
Alumni
Posts: 1819
Joined: Thu Jun 04, 2009 7:17 am
Location: Sydney, AU

Postby JaCe » Fri Aug 24, 2012 11:47 pm

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

"A man who stands for nothing, falls for anything."

User avatar
squala
Post Monster
Post Monster
Posts: 2869
Joined: Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:23 am
Location: Fines City, VIC, Australia

Postby squala » Fri Aug 24, 2012 11:52 pm

Are those tail lights plasti-dipped from the inside?
///// /////
7 airbags
6-speed SST
5-star safety
4-wheel drive
3-diamond badge
2 overhead cams
1 awesome ride
0 demerit points and gutter rash


Image

User avatar
Tong-sea
Lancer VR/GT
Lancer VR/GT
Posts: 201
Joined: Mon Jun 11, 2012 10:52 am
Location: Melbourne

Postby Tong-sea » Sat Aug 25, 2012 7:37 am

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.
Thong-sea

User avatar
Lewhite
Lancer Newbie
Lancer Newbie
Posts: 48
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2012 11:54 pm
Location: Perth

Postby Lewhite » Thu Aug 30, 2012 1:57 am

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

User avatar
Frosty
Lancer ES/EX
Lancer ES/EX
Posts: 179
Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2012 5:44 pm
Location: Sydney, NSW

Postby Frosty » Thu Aug 30, 2012 2:37 am

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!
2.0L - K&N Typhoon SRI - High-Flow Exhaust System - Merlinised

User avatar
Lewhite
Lancer Newbie
Lancer Newbie
Posts: 48
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2012 11:54 pm
Location: Perth

Postby Lewhite » Thu Aug 30, 2012 11:51 am

thanks mate

User avatar
Lewhite
Lancer Newbie
Lancer Newbie
Posts: 48
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2012 11:54 pm
Location: Perth

Postby Lewhite » Thu Aug 30, 2012 12:00 pm

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

User avatar
BUZZ_QWERTY
Lancer VRX/GTS
Lancer VRX/GTS
Posts: 323
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 12:03 pm
Location: QLD

Postby BUZZ_QWERTY » Thu Aug 30, 2012 1:40 pm

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. :P

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

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

User avatar
Frosty
Lancer ES/EX
Lancer ES/EX
Posts: 179
Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2012 5:44 pm
Location: Sydney, NSW

Postby Frosty » Thu Aug 30, 2012 2:05 pm

Yep BUZZ is right, I'm pretty sure all the colours are matte unless you apply the glossifier coat over the top.
2.0L - K&N Typhoon SRI - High-Flow Exhaust System - Merlinised


Return to “Exterior”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 57 guests