Rubbing down plastics

[lfbmatt]

Can anyone list down the steps and grades of sanding to take plastics down ready for spraying?

I just picked up a 3aj and the guy before me used JCB primer (yes, the forklift truck company) and then painted all the panels with what looks like emulsion!

Happy to take them back to base myself but I've no idea of how to do it.

Thanks people

[marcm]

Nasty business...at least emulsion should come off easy..
I've done a few plastic tanks hat have been painted,ive rubbed them down with sander with fairly fine paper on ,then on to wet and dry,then wire wool,then t cut....then felt like putting the hosepipe up van exhaust.....then there's a plastic restore stuff,off road only sell it,its called PC restore I think,it adds a layer so then you are polishing the layer you've added on top sort of thing to try and make presentable.
I've also used a Stanley blade to get some of gauges out,but it can be bloody tedious..if you have the option and can get the mudguards I would probably just buy some new ones..is it blue or white?.and just try and salvage the side panels...allegedly you can use heat gun on plastic to get it back shiny sometimes..think I had a little dabble then got scared on a tank..
Good luck...shall I find the number for the Samaritans if you need it,just in case you feel like jumping off beachy head half way through the second side panel?

[Mezo]

Have a read here when i did my 3AJ plastics, i thought i had done an awesome job but the painter said i had used the wrong primer?

Your supposed to at least use a flexible primer designed for plastic, or the paint must have a flex agent in it (according to the painter).



Are you using a proper spray gun or rattle can?

Mezo.

[lfbmatt]

I wasn't going to paint them myself, the thought had crossed my mind when someone said it was easy, then I saw his bike and the finish was rubbish.

Just thinking that if I do the donkey work the paint shop lads down the road can do a pukka white finish.
I just have no idea about grades of sand paper to use or how to do wet and dry.

[Mezo]

Problem is with sanding plastic it tends to "fur up" id just let them do it from start to finish, i don't think you will be saving much money by rubbing it down yourself.

I wonder if paint stripper would work on plastic or melt it?

Mezo.

[Bernieboy]

Yes it is ok to use paint stripper on 3aj plastics. They are made from Polypropelene that is unafected. Plastics on the 34l's are however ABS plastic and will be dissolved by paint stripper.

[Mezo]

Thanks for the tip Mr Injection Moulding guru.

Mezo.

[ActionManMelb]

They are made from Polypropelene that is unaffected.

http://www.spellcheck.net/how-do-you-sp ... ypropylene

[lfbmatt]

Paint stripper it is then, I'll let you know how i get on!

[Yami]

Bernieboy, do you also know what kind of plastic there is on the 2KF and 43F bikes?
Thanks

Tomas