| Author |
Message |
AkioOhtori
Samba Member
Joined: March 02, 2014
Posts: 89
Location: Tulsa, OK
|
 Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 11:02 am Post subject: Using Plastidip to paint the Buggy |
 |
|
Hello all. This long weekend I took on the task of using Plastidip to do a temporary paint job on the buggy.
My paint and body are pretty not good, so I wanted to do *something* to make it look better, but not go though the whole re-gel and sanding BS. Maybe in a couple of years.
Plastidip is a rubber coating originally used for tools, but a lot of people have taken to using it to customize or restore vehicles in a non-destructive way. On a normal vehicle the plastidip is completely removable simply by finding an edge and pulling it off. Additionally, you don't need to be particularly fastidious about masking as any over-spray is easily peeled off.
For this, I didn't want to have to remove the interior of the buggy every time I wanted to paint it again, so I added a strip of chrome all the way around to make an "inside" and an "outside" with a hard edge. I extended the "inside" to cover the "outside" a bit because I thought it looked cool.
Here are some before pictures:
I used 2 gallons of light blue plastidip with no basecoat. I ended up with 7 coats spaced about 20 min apart. The whole process took about seven hours. I did wash the buggy in dawn 24 hours before starting. I imagine this is hell on a normal finish, but for this I didn't really care...
Here are some after photos:
I made a video of the whole thing. This is NOT meant to be an instructional video. There are a ton of those available by searching for "DipYourCar" or "Plastidip car". This is meant to point out some of the quirks of doing this to a buggy. Prep starts at 2:00. Actual dipping starts at 5:20. 
Link
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
surfnc
Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2006
Posts: 948
Location: OBX, NC
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 11:42 am Post subject: |
|
|
AkioOhtori
Very neat!! Makes me think of parts to use this on. I will need to do some research. A Tow'd/buggy with this on it might be useful to go through the woods and sand with and not worry about paint damage.
Will it easily delaminate/peel off? I would be worried about an edge coming up at speed and the whole hood or fender covering coming up in your windshield.
You did a GREAT job and it looks very nice!
How much did the whole job cost? (Materials, thinner etc)
Vince
_________________
LOOKING FOR VINTAGE MEYERS MANX STUFF!!!
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1105228 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
AkioOhtori
Samba Member
Joined: March 02, 2014
Posts: 89
Location: Tulsa, OK
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 1:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| surfnc wrote: |
AkioOhtori
Very neat!! Makes me think of parts to use this on. I will need to do some research. A Tow'd/buggy with this on it might be useful to go through the woods and sand with and not worry about paint damage.
Will it easily delaminate/peel off? I would be worried about an edge coming up at speed and the whole hood or fender covering coming up in your windshield.
You did a GREAT job and it looks very nice!
How much did the whole job cost? (Materials, thinner etc)
Vince |
Thanks!
I agree, especially if you have a nice paint job this would be a good way to protect it. A lot of people also just use the matte or gloss clear spray to protect their paint but leave it the same color.
In theory it peels off easily by hand, but not via wind. There are videos of people taking a 1200PSI power washer to this stuff at close range and not having anything come off, even with rock chips.
The major reseller of the car oriented products is DipYourCar.com. They have a youtube channel that may answer some of your questions.
It wasn't terribly expensive. Here is a breakdown:
Sprayer (one time cost) = $118
Masks (one time cost) = $28 x 1; $4 x 2 (cheaper ones for the helpers)
Sprayable Dip = $140 (~$60/ gallon + $20 shipping)
Stirrer = $8
Tape and Drape - 72 ft = $16
So setup costs were about $150, but reusable, and consumables were about $180 all said. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
andygere
Samba Member
Joined: January 31, 2014
Posts: 600
Location: Central Coast, CA
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 2:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| When I first saw the title of this thread I thought "what a disaster, why would anyone do that?" Boy was I wrong. I'm completely impressesed with the concept and the execution. Great job and really terrific documentation. I'm also amazed at how inexpensive it was. Looks like you had a good crew helping you out, that always makes a big difference. Now go drive it and enjoy! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
woodoctr
Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2013
Posts: 254
Location: Ohio
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 3:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Great job! I am a semi-pro painter and wood finisher by trade. I've been watching and researching this stuff. The tech. is really there now as a reasonable alternative to full blown paint jobs. It's just so easy to get thousands and thousands of dollars tied up in painting equipment, let alone the ever growing costs of materials. Plasti-Dip can give you a 2 to 3 year paint job and an option to easily change it up again. I am getting to do one of their metalflake anthricite wheel kits on my older Centerline wheels. If you ever owned aluminum wheels here in the rust belt you know how you are constantly chasing the clean up/dressing on raw aluminum. Road chemicals, oils, tar, ugghhh, it's a constant battle. I'll post up some pic.s when done.
Again, nice write up. Let us know how it's holding up. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gary0302
Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2007
Posts: 596
Location: Coastal NC
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 3:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
AkioOhtori,
That is one of the coolest things I have seen in a long time; it reflects the true essence of what these dune buggies are all about in the first place. Good enough for now for you to enjoy as it's owner, having friends help out and enjoy the process, and going out on a limb (after research, of course) to even try this to begin with. Good going, my friend, good going.
_________________
Gary David Holbrook
Facebook and YouTube
Coastal North Carolina
Check out my videos on Youtube
"It's a buggy not a space shuttle...." - Dale M.
"When in doubt, blame it on the previous owner" - Gary0302 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ChadCook
Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2011
Posts: 764
Location: Charles Town
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 5:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Let us know how it holds up to the climbing in and out of the buggy. The threshold will probably receive the most wear. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ChadCook
Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2011
Posts: 764
Location: Charles Town
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 5:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Let us know how it holds up to the climbing in and out of the buggy. The threshold will probably receive the most wear. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
herbsflat4
Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2012
Posts: 159
Location: Greenville, SC
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 5:50 am Post subject: Thanks! |
|
|
Thanks for posting this up. I have been following the dipyourcar channel too and really love the idea of being able to change the look of the buggy whenever I want.
Plus the fact that you don't need to have a air compressor to spray the dip as you would need for actual paint.
Did you buy the new electric sprayer from dipyourcar? What are your thoughts on it?
Again, thanks for posting this up. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
AkioOhtori
Samba Member
Joined: March 02, 2014
Posts: 89
Location: Tulsa, OK
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 6:11 am Post subject: Re: Thanks! |
|
|
| herbsflat4 wrote: |
| Did you buy the new electric sprayer from dipyourcar? What are your thoughts on it? |
I bought this Wagner one from Amazon. I'm pretty sure it is the one the DYC unit is based on, and it was $50 less. My only complaint is the air is always on, but I believe that is a necessary evil if the blower is remote. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SBD
Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2012
Posts: 3294
Location: SOUTH DAKOTA
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 8:04 am Post subject: |
|
|
Buggy looks great! I really liked watching the video too!  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
herbsflat4
Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2012
Posts: 159
Location: Greenville, SC
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 10:03 am Post subject: video |
|
|
Haha. Just watched the video. I enjoyed the "F-it shrug". We have all been there at some point or another I am betting. Very well done video though!
7 coats is a lot isn't it? I thought most of the vidoes online mention 4-5 coats. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
crack monkey
Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2004
Posts: 267
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 12:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Turned out really good. its cool because you wont feel like you are driving a POS so much as with the pre body color, but you wont have to worry as much about parking it someplace and have it scratched. you will have less prep work later to do as well when you decide to really paint. very cool |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
AkioOhtori
Samba Member
Joined: March 02, 2014
Posts: 89
Location: Tulsa, OK
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 12:49 pm Post subject: Re: video |
|
|
| herbsflat4 wrote: |
Haha. Just watched the video. I enjoyed the "F-it shrug". We have all been there at some point or another I am betting. Very well done video though!
7 coats is a lot isn't it? I thought most of the vidoes online mention 4-5 coats. |
Thanks!
I a couple of things contributed to the seven coats:
*The largest consideration was I could get about 7.75 coats out of the two gallons I bought and didn't want much extra. 
*Light Blue doesn't cover as well as some of the newer or darker colors, so more coats are required.
*My first couple of coats were a little light as I was getting used to the sprayer at that point.
*I've heard that 6 coats is a good number for removability. As this was the first time dipping it, I wanted to make sure to get to 6 in case I wanted to peel before re-applying. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
RedBaronofRedBud
Samba Member
Joined: July 05, 2013
Posts: 505
Location: Southeast Missouri
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 1:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Very nice job! Another great use for Plastidip! I agree with the F-it shrug. We have all been there. Either it works or it doesnt. 
Im curious to hear about the durability over the season. Keep us informed and enjoy your new toy!
_________________
Or you can call me………Tim
My two pennies…your mileage may vary
I’m not a complete idiot, there are parts missing |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
laughlin
Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2013
Posts: 48
Location: flat rock, indiana
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 3:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| For some reason I don't see a link to video on this. How's it holding up ? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nbbuggy
Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2013
Posts: 49
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 6:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Love it, I have been thinking of doing this as well. Unfortunately Plasti-dip is sooo much more expensive here in Canada. When you say that the body imperfections still show through, what kind of imperfections did you have? was it holes that showed through or was it scratches and things that show through? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
herbsflat4
Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2012
Posts: 159
Location: Greenville, SC
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 5:06 am Post subject: dip |
|
|
| crack monkey wrote: |
| Turned out really good. its cool because you wont feel like you are driving a POS so much as with the pre body color, but you wont have to worry as much about parking it someplace and have it scratched. you will have less prep work later to do as well when you decide to really paint. very cool |
Crackmonkey - Just to clear the air he wont be any better off when he decides to actually paint the car with say a urethane basecoat or any automotive paint. You wouldn't want to paint over top of the plastidip with real automotive paint. He would need to peel the plastidip off before starting with a primer of any sorts. Plastidip is perfect for his application and scenario though because it will protect the existing paint without harming it and also gives the buggy a much better appearance. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
AkioOhtori
Samba Member
Joined: March 02, 2014
Posts: 89
Location: Tulsa, OK
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 6:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
| laughlin wrote: |
| For some reason I don't see a link to video on this. How's it holding up ? |
The video can be found here: http://www.vimeo.com/92436093
It is doing just fine so far, but it has less than a week on it.
One thing I forgot to mention is apparently the dip takes a couple of days to cure and reach full hardness. While during this time it is dry to the touch and can be used, it it pretty easy to hurt the finish. Scratching or abrasion seems to make it lighter. My understanding is that goes away after about 7 days. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
AkioOhtori
Samba Member
Joined: March 02, 2014
Posts: 89
Location: Tulsa, OK
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 6:58 am Post subject: |
|
|
| nbbuggy wrote: |
| Love it, I have been thinking of doing this as well. Unfortunately Plasti-dip is sooo much more expensive here in Canada. When you say that the body imperfections still show through, what kind of imperfections did you have? was it holes that showed through or was it scratches and things that show through? |
I imagine I have just about every body defect. Scratches and cracks filled in pretty well, especially hairline cracks of which I had a few. Holes and larger problems were softened, but not eliminated. The more layers you put on the more homogeneous it will get I think.
The majority of my body defects are inadequate repairs and unfinished paint removal by the PO.
Hope that helps! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
