to the guys who have painted their cladding

[01STrunner]

Whether you use plasti dip krylon fusion or rustoleum I think how well it stays on is based on how well you prep and using multiple coats. Everyone that does it seems to have good reviews of each type.

 

[interscope8]

I guess where the debate lies is between 2 products each with the same amount of prep work, which one will hold up longer.

Regardless, I am more than happy with how plasti-dip has held up over the 6 months I've had it on my plastic. It also looks fantastic on unevenly sanded surfaces because of how thick it is, so that kinda takes some prep time out.

Bottom line I guess is go with what you think looks best on your plastic, just prep the hell out of it. Krylon is nice because you can get it in gloss, plastidip is only in flat black.

 

[01STrunner]

I never sanded mine. I just Scrubbed the crap outta the trim with soap and water. I have seen some guys from sc whose plastidip has faded. That's the only downside I've ever seen of it.

 

[interscope8]

Hmmm... maybe the constantly overcast IN climate is a blessing in disguise

 

[OffTrac]

It's all temporary on mine anyway. Anything looks better than faded gray. I just always have a shelf full of Rustoleum flat black. Bought out HDs supply when they had it on clearance under $1 per can.

 

[3D]

So this begs to question. Our rear bumper is thrashed with holes and dents everywhere. What do you guys think would be a good "filler" to patch it up with before plasti-dip? I'm thinking latex caulk. Thoughts?

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Best filler for dents and scratches is steel. LOL

Mine was dented in and all scratched up from trailin' so I made my own steel rear bumper.

Things you can use to fill on plastic is fiberglass and or little bondo but it's plastic and textured at that so when you sand it down it'll have a smooth spot where you filled in.

Nowhere near done but it's started. Work in progress...

 

[3D]

Thanks for your self promotion.. now back to our thread.

 

[interscope8]

Thanks for your self promotion.. now back to our thread.

Calm down.

He did answer your question. You could bondo your holes and scratches but they'll be smooth opposed to your bumpy cladding. I painted some gun parts with plasti dip and noticed it dries and becomes kinda bumpy already. So just smooth out everything as best you can after bondo-ing and hit it with 4-6 coats. I'll bet you won't notice where bondo has been applied and what was left alone. My bumper is pretty scratched up to and it's hard to see it blacked out.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Thanks for your self promotion..

Settle down newby, I answered your question and suggested a better alternative to the plastic bumpers that come factory on the Sport Trac.

now back to our thread.

Our thread, how much have you contributed to "this" thread, let alone the site?

Not trying to get into a pissing match with another newb but we here show respect to each other unlike other forums out there so keep that in mind before you start talking smack. Read before you type.

 

[delexploder]

Dents use a heat gun scratches sand them out holes go to harbor freight and get the plastic welder or use some sort of glass filler like kitty hair.

 

[3D]

Thanks for the suggestions. I think we will try the heat gun to reshape some areas and see what type of plastic filler we can come up with. I should be able to stop by Harbor Freight later this week. Anything has to look better than what we have now.

 

[delexploder]

Play around with the heat gun on the scratches too. I did alot of this on used cars to clean them up for dealers and it always makes a big difference. Also for holes 3m panel adhesive works awesome. Tape the back side and fill then sand when cured.

 

[quantumscott]

I have a black ST and I painted all my cladding with tan bed liner. It does scratch but not very easily, and I keep a spray can (that was left over) behind the back seat for touch up.

 

[01STrunner]

That actually sounds like a cool idea. If you painted the bed caps and hooks tan you could have a king ranch ST haha

 

[OffTrac]

I have a black ST and I painted all my cladding with tan bed liner. It does scratch but not very easily, and I keep a spray can (that was left over) behind the back seat for touch up.

Sounds cool. Pictures?

 

[01STrunner]

Hugh you should do it haha. You already have the steering wheel cover and tan interior.

 

[OffTrac]

Hugh you should do it haha. You already have the steering wheel cover and tan interior.

Funny thing about that steering wheel cover, I ripped it in half when detailing my interior this weekend. Never had it off since I bought the truck. The steering wheel is in pretty good condition, just needed a really good cleaning.

 

[01STrunner]

I bet that was a nice surprise after ripping the cover apart lol

 

[LONO100]

hey rebel, we just got a brand new bad ass TIG welder in the shop at my work. cant wait to replace my plastic with some good ol steel!