[trippytro]

Im looking to paint match in gloss black the lower valance/plastic peices around the exhaust, side rocker panels, and possibly the front splitter. Ive never painted this type of surface before. Is it just a matter of sanding it down untill its smooth? Then just shoot it with primer-paint?

Thanks

 

[Ohgeez]

Cant answer your question but I've seen this done on a white challenger and looked hot. Thinking about getting this done to mine as well .

 

[Pokerpaul]

If you want them smooth then you would need to:
1) Sand them down ( does not have to be totally smooth)
2) Wipe with a plastic adhesion promoter
3) Prime with a primer that is suitable for plastic ( 3-6 coats depending on how rough the plastic is and how thick the primer is
4) Sand primer smooth
5) Wipe any plastic with plastic adhesion promoter
6) Seal with sealer
7) Apply basecoat until covered
8) Apply clearcoat (2 coats)

 

[Beachlovers2]

Same here do not about the painting . But I know someone who painted both his Plum Crazy Challengers
And it looks really good . He also did his splash guards
I know he had a body shop do the paint seems to hold up well .

 

[trippytro]

If you want them smooth then you would need to:
1) Sand them down ( does not have to be totally smooth)
2) Wipe with a plastic adhesion promoter
3) Prime with a primer that is suitable for plastic ( 3-6 coats depending on how rough the plastic is and how thick the primer is
4) Sand primer smooth
5) Wipe any plastic with plastic adhesion promoter
6) Seal with sealer
7) Apply basecoat until covered
8) Apply clearcoat (2 coats)

Sounds good , thanks for the info! I could always take it to a shop but im quite the DIY’er and ill try anything myself if its do-able

Ive seen this done to a lot of challenger and it just gives it a look of quality and also makes it looks lower to ground.

 

[A Guy]

Do you have a paint gun? Painting with rattle cans takes a lot of cans to cover a big area. Also getting a final finish gloss coat is very difficult. On my under hood pieces, I have to sand and polish to get a mirror finish. If you have to do that, you need more coats of clear to work with. You don't want to sand through the color coat trying to get them smooth.

Also, you don't need all coats to have the high gloss, try to keep them smooth. The final coat is the one you want gloss.

Let us know how this turns out

A Guy

 

[trippytro]

Do you have a paint gun? Painting with rattle cans takes a lot of cans to cover a big area. Also getting a final finish gloss coat is very difficult. On my under hood pieces, I have to sand and polish to get a mirror finish. If you have to do that, you need more coats of clear to work with. You don't want to sand through the color coat trying to get them smooth.

Also, you don't need all coats to have the high gloss, try to keep them smooth. The final coat is the one you want gloss.

Let us know how this turns out <img src="http://www.challengertalk.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Wink" class="inlineimg" />

A Guy

Luckily enough i work and have friends in the industry. So a spray booth, spray gun, are all available to me

 

[RHODES]

Please take pics once its finished. I think its a really nice look when done correctly. Shout out to "IRChallenger" below.

 

[SRT8 Pilot]

As previously stated, painting plastic in a way that will look good and last does require some special practice and procedures. Very do-able for a DIY guy so long as you know what is required.
A couple of other thoughts. If you don't already have mud flaps, you may want to consider some. Without them, I think the paint on the rocker panels will chip pretty easily. I bet Dodge also thought of this and that may be one of the many reasons the rocker panels are all dyed black and not painted. They knew that this area would be prone to road dust/dirt and scratching/chipping. The same with the front spoiler. Take a close look at it. It would bet there are many small nicks/chips that don't look all that bad because the plastic is dyed, not painted.
I think at first, the painted plastic will look great, you'll love it. But unless it is protected, it will look lousy fairly quickly with all the nicks and chips.
Something to consider to preserve the paint may be to add some clear bra material to these components after painting. You will likely have to get some custom cut pieces, but this material will go a long way to reducing the inevitable damage.
You may already be aware, there are some clear bra materials now that have a certain amount of "healing" capability. That is to say that they can sort of self repair/recover from many small nicks and scratches. Might want to look into this option!
Either way, good luck and be sure to post some pics!!

 

[A Guy]

Luckily enough i work and have friends in the industry. So a spray booth, spray gun, are all available to me

If only I was so lucky!

I agree getting good results is quite doable. Longevity is the issue I would be most concerned with. A Guy