Last Updated: August 15th, 2023

How to Paint ATV Plastics? [9-Step DIY Guide]

How To Paint Atv Plastics? [9-Step Diy Guide]

ATV plastics are designed to protect your vehicle from dust and dirt while driving on mud trails.

Being an ATV rider enthusiast, there would be a thought that you will come across to paint your ATV plastics and give them more of your personal touch.

You also will then start questioning how to paint ATB plastics. Which paints will stick for a long time on your ATV?

Let me tell you that painting ATVs on your own is not as difficult a DIY process as it sounds. Painting your ATV becomes more fun if the right tools are in place and these tools can be utilized properly.

Tools needed to paint ATV plastics

  • Sandpaper
  • Soft Cloth
  • Paint specific Adhesives
  • Primer
  • Decent urethane for spraying plastic
  • Car wax

The following guide will try to cover all the aspects of ATV plastic paint. If you think of other ways or improvements, drop us a comment below.

Removal of plastic or Decals

First and foremost, you need to remove any plastics around the area or any decals that are there.

Clean the ATV plastics.

The first step is to clean the plastic. You can use any soft cloth to first remove the dusts/dirts which are available.

Next, with the help of 180 or 600-grit sandpaper, sand the entire area.

A thing curst will be formed, which needs to be removed from the sanding process.

Get rid of water-soluble particles.

Now it is time to remove any soluble particles. You can use scuff magic or a red scuff pad to remove any water-soluble contaminants.

Remove any more crusts present.

Using the above-mentioned sandpaper, you need to sand again to remove any spots left or missed in the first place.

Once this is done, you need to sandblast everything and cover almost all the area that needs to be painted.

You can use 8-grit aluminum oxide for this. Sanding is important because it cleans the deep crusts or patches, which, if ignored, can give a bad look to the whole area after it is painted.

Cleaning plastic

Next, you need to clean your plastics with plastic cleaner. You can use polyvalence plastic cleaner.

Once spraying is done, you must wait at least 20 seconds to ensure the solvents are dissolved properly. Once done, you can wipe the surface with a soft cloth or paper towel.

Adhesives and Primer

Finally, after thoroughly cleaning the surface, you need to apply adhesives so that the paint gets well stuck with the plastics. You can apply any industrial-level adhesives and apply two coats of it.

Make sure the first coat is dried well before applying the second coat. You can use something like plastic magic as adhesives to this process.

Further, to get the right adhesives, you can get products like Bulldog Tie Coat or Ajax from the stores or order them online, which are considered good bonding agents.

Next, you need to apply primer.

Again you need to make sure that the adhesives are already dried off. You can now apply any water-resistant primer surfacer. This primer will fill any sandblast pits or scratches. You can apply at least 1-2 coats of primer.

Sanding

Putting Putty Flex can eliminate any imperfections in the above steps.

Once the putty is dried, it is time to sand again. To get the finishing for the plastic surface, you need to sand the areas again. This is to make the surface smooth.

Once the sanding process is done, you must apply waterborne all seasons Bumper sealer and let it dry. This is the last step, after which the paint layer can be applied.

Painting the ATV Plastic: The best way to paint ATV Plastics

Finally, after you have followed all the above steps/methods, it is time to paint the plastic. You can choose any of the best paint for ATV plastic.

So go ahead and start applying the paint.

You can use the best spray paint for ATV plastic available as well. First, apply a single layer of paint, let it dry off, then apply another layer to double-coat it.

Once the double coat painting is done, you must apply the top layer with a flex additive to ensure better adhesion between the paints and plastics.

Let it dry off again.

Waxing the surface

Once the paint is done, you can apply any car wax to shine the plastic further. Further, if you have followed the above DIY methods, you have finally answered your question on How to Paint ATV plastics.

The process is a bit lengthy, but the result will make you happy once you are done.

What is the primary purpose of painting ATV plastics?

Painting ATV plastics allows riders to personalize their vehicles and protect them from dust and dirt while driving on mud trails.

What are the essential tools needed for painting ATV plastics?

The key tools required include sandpaper, a soft cloth, paint-specific adhesives, primer, a decent urethane for spraying plastic, and car wax.

Why is sanding an important step before painting ATV plastics?

Sanding is crucial as it cleans deep crusts or patches on the plastic surface. It ensures a smooth surface, which is essential for the paint to adhere properly and give a polished look after painting.

What should be done after applying adhesives but before painting the ATV plastics?

After applying adhesives, it’s essential to ensure they are dried off. Then, a water-resistant primer surfacer should be applied to fill any sandblast pits or scratches. Typically, 1-2 coats of primer are recommended.

How can one achieve a shiny finish on the painted ATV plastics?

After the painting process is complete, applying car wax can enhance the shine of the plastic, giving it a polished and professional finish.

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