Spray Painting Exterior Plastics

[UKDM323]

I got a OEM grille for my 03 Corolla as my current TS one broke, there both same being the TS grille is actually painted in a dark grey metalic paint but this new grile is jst black plastic, rather than spraying it dark grey metalic colour i gonna spray it black as on close up u notice the plastic dont look so neat nothing to do with quality is characteristic of something unpainted! so before painting should the grille be sanded down ? & what type of spray paint should i use any particular/good brand to use or not use?

Thanks

[Boro Sera]

For painting plastics there are a few things you need to know.

First off, lightly sand the whole surface with 800ish wet and dry. This will provide a key for primer/paint to grip to. Then you'll need to prime it with a specialised Plastic Primer ( Halfords/MotorWorld, B&Q etc ), then paint as usual. If you don't use plastic primer then it won't work !

Easy !

[UKDM323]

Thanks for feedback, i done all that now & quite pleased with it all that effort as above said, should it be laquered as well for such parts ?

[Boro Sera]

If it's a standard topcoat then you don't need to lacquer it - but if it's listed as a basecoat/lacquer then yes.

I'd clear coat it anyway myself. It's another layer of protection for the paintwork !

[UKDM323]

If it's a standard topcoat then you don't need to lacquer it - but if it's listed as a basecoat/lacquer then yes.

I'd clear coat it anyway myself. It's another layer of protection for the paintwork !

Jus t finished spraying some lacquer on it now jst need paint to harden over night. it certainly makes it much more 'shinier' & bit more smoother now even though the black paint i bought was 'gloss black' so dont think laquer was required, well pleased, did think about leaving it without laquer, glad i didnt :) first time i sprayed 'body parts' for a car i knew spray painting all those tamiya/fujimi 1/24 scale model cars in the past paid off lol & thanks for your help too it meant alot :)

[Calisto]

I am spray painting bits on my car this weekend, I have the primer/filler, paint and Lacquer and the wet and dry paper.

Going to be following advice in this post and read the instructions on the spray cans.

What can possibly go wrong?????? ;)

[Boro Sera]

You should be fine as long as you're PATIENT !

Don't do too much too fast, don't put too much paint on per coat. TAKE YOUR TIME !!

Good luck