Painting Factory Front Mudguards

4026 Views 16 Replies 10 Participants Last post by zero, Oct 8, 2005

GJRUGBY

Discussion Starter · Oct 6, 2005

I bought some "Rustoleum Silver Metallic" spraypaint at Lowes today. I sprayed some of it on a piece of cardboard to test the color-correctness. It looks damn close, if not spot-on to the factory silver.

My question is this; Can the plastic mudguard be painted, or will the paint not "stick" to the plastic?

I understand that I would have to remove them first, but does anybody think this would be a "bad" idea to paint them? I could always strip the paint off with some laquer thinner if need be.

Cheers,
George

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DoctorJ

· #2 · Oct 6, 2005

GJRUGBY said:
I bought some "Rustoleum Silver Metallic" spraypaint at Lowes today. I sprayed some of it on a piece of cardboard to test the color-correctness. It looks damn close, if not spot-on to the factory silver.

My question is this; Can the plastic mudguard be painted, or will the paint not "stick" to the plastic?

I understand that I would have to remove them first, but does anybody think this would be a "bad" idea to paint them? I could always strip the paint off with some laquer thinner if need be.

Cheers,
George

You may need to use a surface primer first then the spray paint. Better yet if you want to do it right, just purchase some of the orginal color and have a body shop spray and clear coat them. IT will be a perfect match then.

GJRUGBY

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 6, 2005

3

Just to compare the stock (pic #1) mudguard to the painted cardboard (other pics).
G

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dsnove

· #4 · Oct 6, 2005

I bet you are done already and you like the looks of it... You can always take it off G

vertrkr

· #5 · Oct 6, 2005 (Edited)

Plastic can be tough to spray paint as sometimes it will bead up. There is a new formula from Krylon designed for plastic & other problem surfaces called "Fusion", most hardware stores carry it now. We use this alot in the r/c model plane hobby for foam & plastic, works great, holds up well.

http://www.krylon.com/main/product_template.cfm?levelid=5&sub_levelid=10&content=product_list

GJRUGBY

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 6, 2005

Glad to know that someone has another suggestion. So, should I do it myself and "save some money" or spend some dough and have it done "right?"

G

vertrkr

· #7 · Oct 6, 2005

GJRUGBY said:
Glad to know that someone has another suggestion. So, should I do it myself and "save some money" or spend some dough and have it done "right?"
G

Do it yourself, it's more satisfying and costs all of five bucks. Just be sure to clean the surface with mineral spirits or alcohol and put on a few coats for durability, more the better but keep 'em light so you don't get drips.

Mr-J

· #8 · Oct 7, 2005

While the paint may look close on the cardboard, it will probably look different on the mud guard. The type of plastic used to make them doesn't present a particular problem with adhesion, but you would have a better chance of it lasting if the paint has a flex agent added to it.

While not as cheap as a can of spray paint, most paint shops that supply body shops can prepare the proper paint with the flex agent and put it in a spray can or sell you a reusable sprayer that consists of a glass jar with a replaceable propellant/sprayer that screws to the top of the jar.

I've thought of painting mine, but I waffle on the subject. Sometimes I think it might be too much blue, perhaps I should leave it black for the contrast.

GJRUGBY

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 7, 2005

Well, I guess I will remove the mudguards tomorrow A.M. and start the cleaning, cleaning, cleaning process. Then I will attempt to put on many light coats of paint. I have nothing to do but sit at work Saturday, so I might do it then, who knows.

I WILL take pics (before, during, after) so if anyone else needs the "help" I'll be here for it.

I am so glad I have such support in "messing" my truck up, but I have several years to put it back the way it was if I don't like it.

Cheers,
George

swampler

· #10 · Oct 7, 2005

At least mudflaps are relatively cheap if you mess them up. Looking forward to the after pics.

captmiddy

· #11 · Oct 7, 2005

GJRUGBY said:
Well, I guess I will remove the mudguards tomorrow A.M. and start the cleaning, cleaning, cleaning process. Then I will attempt to put on many light coats of paint. I have nothing to do but sit at work Saturday, so I might do it then, who knows.

I WILL take pics (before, during, after) so if anyone else needs the "help" I'll be here for it.

I am with vertrkr, look into the Fusion stuff, it is designed for plastics and has the ability to be used on things that flex like lawn chairs (which is what they show it on in the commercials). Also you may want to buy a few cans that came from a similar lot because this will keep your flaps matched with each other if not matched with the car. Slight variances will likely appear in color between cans from different lots.

Anyway keep us posted on result, it is always fun to do things yourself when there isn't a ton to lose, it isn't like you can replace the flaps if they come out really bad, although you may have to save a little to get some, maybe start with the rears since those are easy to get.

WhiteRTLnav

· #12 · Oct 7, 2005

You can use regular spray paint, but I would recommend first using wax and grease remover, then follow that up with a urethane adhesion promoter, and then primer. Also, some specialty parts stores can get you spray paint that EXACTLY matches the factory paint, and it doesn't cost much. If you can't find it in town, I would recommend ordering it specifically. Even though the paint that you have appears to match, it won't look right when you are done. Trust me.

Mr-J

· #13 · Oct 7, 2005

Check out these products.

http://www.duplicolor.com/products/adhesion.html

http://www.duplicolor.com/products/bumper.html

GJRUGBY

Discussion Starter · #14 · Oct 8, 2005

5

ALL DONE! And may I say it looks pretty damn good! I took lots of pics, so bear with me.

George

#1. Driver's side of truck (mudguard removed), what is the huge chunk of steel?
#2. Passenger's side (removed), looks typical.
#3. Mudguards before cleaning.
#4. Mudguards getting sprayed in my garage.
#5. Mudguards back on truck, paint matches pretty good.

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GJRUGBY

Discussion Starter · #15 · Oct 8, 2005

3

Even my puppy (Zulu) likes them, and the truck also!

G

#1. Zulu in bed.
#2. Closeup of driver's side.
#3. Passenger's side.

What I did was removed the FIVE (!) screws that hold each mudguard on. They are stamped with "L" & "R" from the factory, but they could not possibly be installed wrong. I applied MANY coats of paint, but it never seemed to get any "thicker." So, I basically kept applying paint until the can was nearly empty. All told, I would say about 4 total coats, some areas I applied more heavily. I did have a few runs, but I just used a rag to wipe the excess off and started over. That seemed to work okay, until it dried. Then I had to break out the sandpaper. They look okay for a guy who does't know much about painting car parts.

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5S Dude

· #16 · Oct 8, 2005

Yea GJRUGBY, Your body colored mud guards look factory done. Very Nice!

zero

· #17 · Oct 8, 2005

Very nice work.

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