The Plasti Dip Thread

[05Single]

Well you shoulda saw this one coming after my plasti dip adventure this past week

I know theres a lot of hate for this stuff but for those who enjoy it i wanted to make a general thread where people can share their ideas, good or bad....and experiences, success or failed so we can all learn.
Remember it's not my how to thread, it's everyone's how to thread, so post what you did and how you did it if you already have done did it

This stuff ain't going away anytime soon and it's only getting more popular with more colors and the applications seem to be endless.

So here goes. I'll start with one of the most popular applications - plastidipping the chrome grille.

First I clay bar the surface to get rid of every spec and debris on the area I'm spraying. Next I remove the left over wax used from the clay bar with dish soap and a rag, then I rinse with a clean water only rag. Let dry then spray.

No matter what always use the recommended 6-7 coats, 30 minutes flash time (dry time) between each coat. Thats almost 1 can for the grille.

Next was the bumpers. Again 1 can each bumper

I also went over the gray lower valance to blend in with the front. I highly recommend it because the gray looks like on any color tahoe.

Rear bumper

This was my first real experience with the stuff. For a beginner it's great and hard to mess up.

 

[05Single]

Sold the rear bumper and to my amaze the plastidip peeled right off as advertised. No pics. Same with the grille.
Decided to peel the front and was able to get pics
But first here's a before and after

Holding up strong after almost 2 years

First peeling

 

[05Single]

Sorry for all the pics, but I wanted to show that if you take your time and follow instructions that this stuff works exactly as advertised. Peeled the entire front bumper off in one piece.

 

[05Single]

Next I sprayed the 3 piece engine cover. Found a spot locally that sold more colors than just black and white.

Can also apply this to the fuse box cover or air intake and filter box if you wanted to.
No need for clay bar on these as they are slightly textured anyway instead of smooth like paint and chrome. Just clean with dish soap and rinse then dry.

Again 6 coats of base. Used gunmetal gray.
First coat

6 coats

I wasn't pleased with the matte gray, wanted a more brighter raw metal look. So I did some research and they sell a bright aluminum metalizer , but it wasn't available in my local stores and shipping cost double what a can is worth because everything is air freight shipped to Alaska and paint is considered hazmat .
Did some more research and found that pearlizer creates a similar effect and look. I figure it would be a more white than anything. But I had found some locally so I gave it a try. Immediately after the first coat I can already tell it was exactly the look i was going for. Very happy with the outcome of this particular project.
1st coat

3rd and final coat.

And of course you can add your own designs on top after with paint markers if you so choose.

Black base will create the same effect and most times black is a few dollars cheaper.

 

[05Single]

Before and after.

 

[05Single]

Another popular mod is dippin the emblems/badging
Sprayed my grille badge 6 coats of black.

Then added a blue metalizer which is basically a clear with blue flake in it. They have red, gold, green, and a few other colors.

2 coats metalizer.

3 coats glossifier.

Yes that makes 11 coats total lol.

At most angles it just looks black , until the light hits it and then the blue pops

 

[shreksbrother]

That engine bay looks fantastic!

I Plasti-dipped by grille and bumpers and love the stuff.

My Yukon has the center cover, but not those side covers... Were they standard and just long gone from my vehicle, or were they only on a certain model?

 

[David Smith]

How is that stuff supposed to do with the engine compartment heat?

 

[05Single]

That engine bay looks fantastic!

I Plasti-dipped by grille and bumpers and love the stuff.

My Yukon has the center cover, but not those side covers... Were they standard and just long gone from my vehicle, or were they only on a certain model?

Thanks man!
And only Denalis and escalades come with those side covers. Just the covers alone really clean up the engine bay imo. I bought mine off a member on here.
Post up pics of yours.

How is that stuff supposed to do with the engine compartment heat?

This stuff is rated up to like 300 degrees. I've seen it last on exhaust tips for years. In fact I did my cousins dual exhaust tips on his silverado a year ago and the dip is holding up great. So it should be fine on a plastic engine cover.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

This was my latest dip project:

It can get a little tricky with taping/peeling. I experimented a bit, which is one of my favorite things about the dip. Try it, peel it, try again. I found that the best way to get a sharp edge is to lay it on good and thick, and peel your tape while it's wet. Otherwise the stuff sets up over your line, and the whole shootin match will come up with the tape. You can tape over once it's dry, and peel without a problem. In this case, I taped and did the whole bow tie red with one heavy coat and peeled the tape right away. After the red dried, I taped to the smaller section, and did the same thing with the black. I also used the Duplicolor Custom Wrap gloss clear over the top of the whole cap at the end. Turned out pretty well.

 

[05Single]

Looks good. Love the detail.
I know taping off is tricky. Best way to do it is when it's wet like you said, but sometimes it will still try and hold on after 6 coats have been put on after several hours of dry time. I've had to use a razor blade to carefully cut the dip before. Tedious and hard to do and not cut a line into the original finish underneath. But like anything ekse take your time, besides if you need up peel it off and yet again.

 

[kwOH]

My NBS, plasti-dipped my stock 17s, the front bumper, lower valance, grille, rear bumper, esky appliqué’s, and esky rack. All with original matte black, later I peeled it off and re-dipped it with black sapphire metallic from the luxury metals line.

 

[Fosscore]

I only have a few pieces still dipped as the rest has been color matched to body color on the exterior.

Here are a couple pieces on the interior that I used black to make the doors have a bit of contrast.

The sail panels on the 2 front doors and the 4 door handle cover plates on each of the doors that sit behind the actual door handle. Not dipped, but I also painted the speaker grilles with gloss black spray paint.

I have also contemplated dipping the grey window switch bezel that surrounds the window and lock switches as it is the grey textured plastic and has developed a slightly different color shade over time.

Other than those few pieces which I may freshen up and use some more glossifier now that I have thought about it, I don't really have anything else in mind to dip at this point.

Like all the cool ideas though.

The front bow tie is silver Plasti Dip with glossifier. I may end up changing this out to spray paint to get it even more shiny.

I tried to dip the bow ties on the Suburban, but the color was too far off, so I had to order some custom paint as it takes a base coat, then a ground coat and finally clear coat to make the white diamond tricoat (WDT) all come together. Tough color to match and the dip just couldn't make it happen, but I did give it a go.

You can see the difference between the two. Dip to the left and custom paint to the right against the body. Not close enough, but could work in a pinch or for the less discerning viewer.

 

[cheyenne383]

I am a fan... moderation is key with anything. My other car is a 2017 Subaru Legacy... I hated the chrome around the window, with a dark grey car and tinted windows it needed to be blacked out. $10 and 2 hours later problem solved!

Before:

After:

It's held up to washing, negative temps, and snow so far. If it starts to peel I'll just do it again, that's the nice thing for sure!

 

[05Single]

What color dip did you use for the bowties? @Fosscore

 

[05Single]

I am a fan... moderation is key with anything. My other car is a 2017 Subaru Legacy... I hated the chrome around the window, with a dark grey car and tinted windows it needed to be blacked out. $10 and 2 hours later problem solved!

Before:

After:

It's held up to washing, negative temps, and snow so far. If it starts to peel I'll just do it again, that's the nice thing for sure!

Yeah it seems like they put that chrome trim on all the new cars these days. Fugly as hell

 

[05Single]

Another trick and time saver. Sprayed some z71 fog light housings black and just sprayed over the lens instead of taping it off. Or maybe it was just laziness lol
Then peeled the lens with ease.

 

[05Single]

Plastidip smoke on the tails
1 coat

4 coats plug glossifier. Very minimal difference.

Installed

I consider this a fail lol

 

[EfiniMotorsport]

It's not on my Yukon but I dipped my previous BMW. Is pent a lot of time researching it and even going on the dipyourcar forum and calling the company. They'd never even heard of dipping a car to the extent I did. I couldn't find anyone to shoot paint after the body work was done so I dipped the car to protect the primer. Had it on the car for probably 4.5-5 years and it still looked good. I used to wash it with scrubbing bubbles and a white scotch bright pad. The WHOLE car was dipped, door jambs, underside of the hood and trunk, inner door, even the hinges and bolts. 9 gallons total (could have gotten away with 7 or so If I didn't screw the hood up twice.

 

[EfiniMotorsport]

Using all new trim, rubber, seals, etc when I put it back together really made it look good