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world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


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ABS Painting

This Question has been asked but need more help. I have a motorcycle undertail which is made out of ABS plastic and need to know how to prime and paint? We are not looking for a show shine product but still a good finish.

Ryan Hope
CustomSportBike - Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
2003

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Ryan, Please go to the archives and hit # 8888 ... and also # 6696 which will give you, if ever needed, some ideas as to how to 'repair' a hole etc. in ABS. In short, painting it is a dead cert.

Freeman Newton [deceased]
(It is our sad duty to advise that Freeman passed away
April 21, 2012. R.I.P. old friend).
2003

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More to add to this topic is I have read some responses to painting abs on this site and no one has asked about a automobile like finish. Was told from a sales manager at Acklands that I will need a cleaner solvent, primer, and a activator for the priming stage and paint, reducer and activator for the painting stage. Do I need all these stages for the priming or is he making a buck of me? Any knowledge is great and pictures of product can be sent if necessary.

Thanks,

Ryan Hope
CustomSportBike - Burnaby, Canada
2003

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Ryan, There's an engineering expression called the K.I.S.S. principle (Keep is Simple Stupid) which I feel applies to your query. Because ABS is easily attacked by many solvents, BECAUSE spray lacquer is, I believe, a fairly active solvent base, why don't you just ruddy well try out a bomb of your favourite colour WITHOUT expensive pretreatments. Priming? Is that really necessary in this case? I don't think so. Cleaning? Yes, always preclean. But this applies to all materials, doesn't it? Sanding? You could do this instead of 'cleaning' but all sanding will do is to remove the surface layer and increase the surface area a smidgen. Because the lacquer is super thin, you'd need maybe more than one coat. OK? This should work out l00%. And if it does ... but only if you happen to own a Vincent Black Shadow, then you can motor down to White Rock and give me a ride. I'd like that! Tel. 604 531 8788.

Freeman Newton [deceased]
(It is our sad duty to advise that Freeman passed away
April 21, 2012. R.I.P. old friend).
2003