I've been looking through these forums for a while trying to learn a few things and get ideas for some nice modifications. I keep running into "Plasti Dip", and I'd like to know more about it.

Can you put it on things like your Rims and Calipers? What is the best way to apply it? In my mind it is this magical liquid that forms around objects and has some sort of mystical molecular bond to itself....

How does it hold up, and is it actually "easy" to remove?

Let me know what everyone's experiences have been with it. I'm thinking about doing my rims white, and maybe my hood scoop and other accents. I'd like to do calipers a nice bright color. Heck I'd even do the driver stripe I've been wanting to get if it's possible. The thing is, I totally suck at this stuff, so having it non-permanent sounds awesome (especially if brake dust starts to show really bad).

 

PD is purchased from Home Depot. We use the spray can version for our purpose. It is like a rubberized film.

It cannot be applied in direct sunlight.

Surface prep is minimal, alchohol prep/wipes.

Good for chrome parts of the MINI, and some body panels. Doubt it would last on wheels for very long.

Not good for any parts which are subjected to extreme heat conditions such as tail pipes or brake calipers......for the latter, use G4 caliper paint for best results or ceramic spray paint both from an auto parts supply shop.

 

i doubted it at first, went got a can sprayed a wrench and liked how it looked and removes easy, i then did my mirror caps and clear coated ontop of plastidip and gives it a brand new shiny plastic look matches the trim close to perfect i like it but its just my substitute till i can get some money for real vinyl work

 

I have used a couple of cans of it and love it. It goes on easy with little prep (clean surface) and after about 3-4 coats it has a nice color and texture. I have done the scuttles, gas cap, headlight trim rings, tale light trim rings, hood scoop, grill opening (top and bottom). I have even redone a few parts just to show people how easy it is to remove and spray. You just pick a corner and start to rub and it roll back on itself as it is removed. It removes very similar to rubber cement.

Why no sunlight? I only do mine in direct sunlight, the wait time between coats goes from 15-20 minutes to 5-10.

I prep mine with a clean cloth and simple green, but alcohol would be great to as any residue would evaporate.

I have seen it done on wheels here on NAM but not sure how long it help up, but 1 can per wheel is $6-7 each for less than $30 it can really change the look of a vehicle and is totally reversible.

I would agree on heat though, I would pass on putting it on any brake or exhaust parts. It has fared fine on my hood scoop with the holes dremeled open. It has yet to melt again and still look fine.

 

Thanks guys. I didn't think it would hold up for the calipers, but figured I'd check. I'll have to buy some and try it out.

 

I used it on my wheels.. holds up amazing, pressure washer has no effect.. so far only hitting curbs in the city has taken it off :(

 

I Plasti-Dipped my rims, and I adore the results. I broke all the rules- didn't clean them terribly well, and sprayed in direct sunlight in the heat of the Florida summer, into the wind. I'm smart like that.

Regardless, the adhesion has been absolutely excellent, and the wheels actually hold up very well against rock chips and the like. Stuff seems to just bounce off them, and they're super easy to clean!

I've also done my bonnet scoop, door handles, gas cap, boot handle, upper and lower grille, and the lid to my cash tray. My only tip is to spray lightly, and keep it close to the surface. As you get farther away, the finish gets more rough and nasty, almost fuzzy. Also, masking the stuff tends to be tough- I used index cards, newspaper, and heavy duty painter's tape. After you're done spraying, pull the masking off as soon as possible, and have a razor blade handy because it likes to stick to everything (remember what I said about the adhesion?) For the record, everything I've sprayed has only hardened over time, and it's held up for close to two years with only minor touch-ups.

We can usually find it for around $5 a can at Home Depot, Lowe's or your nearest equivalent. It'll be with the spray paints.

Good luck and happy motoring!

 

LOL - I sprayed PD on my bald tires in direct sunlight after a snow storm, last year on April 1st and I got another 25K miles on them

They get a second coat tomorrow !

PS: If is applied to hot surface in direct sunlight it turns to sheets of peeling rubber......

 

..I had done plasti dip a few months back, but was kinda not completely linking the way it was picking up pieces of my microfiber towels!

..I realize that I'd sprayed from too far away..which made it come out kinda ruff..

..so, I pulled it off (was easy) and re did it much more carefully..and it came out nice and smooth...I just spray TW Ice on it and wipe off..and it looks fressh and new after each wash.

here are some pics of how it peeled off the grill chrome, ....it looked kinda like a black snake...so I took it in to show (scare the hell out of) my wife, when she was in the shower !! ...sorry..no pics of that
J