Painting side panels ?

[matt7chunk]

Hey foccers ,

I want to paint my black side panels (rear brake reservoir cover)

My question is , should I just etch prime then paint or just go straight for the color ?

Thanks

[bandit]

I would first use a primer suitable for plastics,lightly abrade with a 1200 wet/dry to flatten primer & give a key then paint.

[tommyardin]

Clean the panels well to ensure there is no polish residue on them from shampoo or other cleaning stuff, as mentioned I would give them a light sanding even before etch priming them, also, again after primer has set hard, if they are being sprayed a metallic colour I would also clear coat them after colour coats are applied.
Lets see some pictures when they are done

[celticdog]

It's all about the prep as others have said here fella. However . . . I've had very good results with a can of paint I bought in Lidl of all places, It's called Baufix. Primer and top coat all in one,
It's cheap but it's an excellent product. The finish is glossy and impact resistant, I used it on the centre stand as well 

[tommyardin]

It's all about the prep as others have said here fella. However . . . I've had very good results with a can of paint I bought in Lidl of all places, It's called Baufix. Primer and top coat all in one,
It's cheap but it's an excellent product. The finish is glossy and impact resistant, I used it on the centre stand as well 

Yep! Seen that in Lidl and wondered if it was any good, have to admit I passed it by and went to Halfords to make my purchase.
Next time look out Lidl I will give Baufix a try if I just want a basic colour.


Often the problem is that you need something that is colour specific like 'Ford Bogie Green' or 'Peugeot Snot Silver' to spray in that ding on the front wing where that stupid sod in Lidl car park ran his trolley into it when you were looking at those Baufix Rattle Cans

[Bretty]

While in Halfords get yourself some big washers or threadlock, so when you screw the side panels back on, you don't risk over tightening and cracking off your new fresh paint.

That's the sort of thing I usually wish I HAD done.

[tommyardin]

Black rubber tap washers are good for things like that, they act a bit like a shocker, absorbing vibration also they compress a little applying outward force meaning you don't have to tighten them so much, helps save the paint job.

[Fazer99]

If you are just painting them black then you can actually do it without any primer as long as the prep is done properly. But if you are going with a colour then yes do as the others have stated.

[matt7chunk]

cheers for all the replys , gonna be red i ill go , primer, red, clear, , i'll stick a pic up when done , weathers rubbish atm though so yall have to wait 

[matt7chunk]

Well I finally got round to painting them today turned out OK I think (after the wind picking them up and flipping them over )  here a pic


PS went to lidl and just so happened to have the baufix rattle cans in red happy days:)

[Fazer99]

Nice job you've done there, any chance of some pictures when they are back on the bike 👍

[matt7chunk]

will do , trying to decide to paint the smaller panel with the 3 screws or not , need to see what it looks like fitted first