How to Paint Plastic Fairings

Sand the plastic fairings. It's important to have an appropriate surface for primer and paint to adhere to. Sanding the fairings will create this surface for you. To do this, use 400-grit sand paper. Sand the entire surface of the plastic fairings using circular motions, while applying moderate pressure.

Prime the surface of the fairings. Without primer, the paint will not stick properly to the fairings. This is when chipping and excessive obscurities happen after the final paint job. Apply a plastic primer to the entire surface of the fairings. Plastic primers often come in rattle aerosol containers. It is very easy to apply. Spray long even strokes across the surface, refraining from ever stopping a paint stroke directly on the fairing as to avoid build up. Allow the primer to dry for 2 to 6 hours before moving on.

Apply a very thin coat of your base color. To do this, spray color over the fairings quickly. Don't worry about covering the primer completely. This will allow you to easily see any bumps or flaws that may still remain on the fairings, giving you a chance to repair them before you continue. Allow this thin layer of color to dry for approximately six hours.

Wet sand over the thin layer of color. Wet sanding is a technique that creates a perfectly smooth and shiny texture. Simply sand the fairings in the same fashion as you did earlier, except this time use a sponge or squirt bottle to apply water to each area as you're sanding it. Wet sand using 1,000-grit sand paper. After you have finished wet sanding the entire fairing, ensure that all excess water and plastic particles are removed.

Apply the base color coat. You will need to apply 3 to 5 coats of color to the plastic fairings. When applying the color practice a technique called grip coats. All that means is that the first coat is applied very thin and each coat gets progressively thicker. The thinner coats ensure that there is extra grip for the paint to hold on to. This will result in a more professional looking result. Apply the color coats in the same fashion as you applied the primer. Allow three hours of time between applying each color coat. Once you have applied all of the coats, wait 6 to 8 hours for the paint to fully dry.

Apply a clear lacquer coat. A clear coat will protect your new paint job from extreme weather conditions. Apply 2 to 3 layers of clear lacquer and allow two hours of time between each coat. After you have finished applying all of the lacquer, wait a full twenty-four hours before using the automobile.