Help Painting Parts

**Bouvers** · 11-03-2009, 06:27 PM

Hey guys just looking for some advice from people that have painted plastic. I'm sanding down my FAST intake right now getting ready for paint... I also want to paint my FastToys 85mm Airlid, but it has a textured surface similar to the FAST intake. My question, is it necessary or helpful to sand that surface down or is it purely an astetic choice? I might do it regardless but I just want to know if sanding is a necessary procedure when painting plastic parts, as I have others I want to paint afterwards.

thanks guys.

**01 LS1 Formula** · 11-03-2009, 07:51 PM

i would sand it smooth lokks better to me

**supercopone** · 11-03-2009, 09:10 PM

Its always good to sand even on plastic it helps the paint stick.

**Bouvers** · 11-04-2009, 08:30 AM

ok... well I figured its always good to sand so that it helps the paint stick or bite in. But my question is whats too fine? I'm going to finish my parts with 1000 grit... thats basically a polish isn't it? Is that going to hinder the paint from sticking?

**supercopone** · 11-04-2009, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by Bouvers

ok... well I figured its always good to sand so that it helps the paint stick or bite in. But my question is whats too fine? I'm going to finish my parts with 1000 grit... thats basically a polish isn't it? Is that going to hinder the paint from sticking?

400 should be good

**third_shift|studios** · 11-04-2009, 08:47 AM

don't paint it, powdercoat it.

**supercopone** · 11-04-2009, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by third_shift|studios

don't paint it, powdercoat it.

can you powder coat plastic?

**Y2KPewterSS** · 11-04-2009, 04:04 PM

http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58941

Above is a link to an excellent write up that one of our members did. Its also in the museum sticky up top

**Bouvers** · 11-04-2009, 06:34 PM

yup thats the exact write up I was going with for my intake. So now is that much prep necessary for all plastic peices? 400 grit is still pretty rough to be leaving for paint... how about 800? not polished but definately smooth...