Author Topic: Plasti-Dip-like the whole bike!  (Read 8368 times)

Offline zamobafood

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Plasti-Dip-like the whole bike!
« on: February 08, 2016, 07:40:30 AM »
Anyone have any experience with a full plasti dip paint job on the Connie or any other bike for that matter? I've been kicking around the idea of painting the bike in matte black. From what I've read so far its pretty durable stuff (if done right) and can be removed whenever you get tired of it. I haven't seen much feedback about the contact areas from rider's legs and whether any flexing of the ABS plastic on the lower cowl causes issues. 

I know several people that have done hoods, wheels, emblems, and a few tanks on cruisers. With the exception of brake dust on the wheels feedback has been pretty positive.
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Offline PH14

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Re: Plasti-Dip-like the whole bike!
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2016, 10:35:29 AM »
I have seen entire cars done that way. If you do it, get it done with a spray gun and not with cans, you can get a good finish. Flex should be no issue, the Plastic Dip is flexible too.

Offline RBX QB

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Re: Plasti-Dip-like the whole bike!
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2016, 03:23:18 PM »
I don't think you'll have any issues with flexing of the panels (unless they also rub against eachother)... but I don't think it will take the rider contact that well. On cars, the drivers rarely ride around on the hood.

But, It's a temporary product... not much to lose by trying it out, just some money and time.
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Plasti-Dip-like the whole bike!
« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2016, 04:35:45 PM »
Plastic dip?  Are you freakin nuts?
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Offline Wandrng

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Re: Plasti-Dip-like the whole bike!
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2016, 05:06:05 PM »
I've done it a couple of times on my black 2015.  Not a paint pro so just tape, paper and rattle cans.

The green that is on now I did five fulls coats of opaque product and it is definitely more durable and longer lasting than the first look I did with the copper color - 2 coats of opaque and 3 coats of the copper ( which is transparent, thinner and just contains copper colored flakes). The copper scheme, scuffed easily and sometimes "tore" when rubbing against it while loading or leaning. The copper look needed more base coats.

The green has lasted since August - no holes or rub points. It definitely doesn't clean as well as the paint - some scuffs and marks won't wash off.

I have specifically avoided dipping  areas that would have friction & contact with the rider.

I would not expect the dip to last in places where my legs would rub. Just an opinion - haven't tested it.

Green in August near  start of 4K trip (Aug 2015)


Green now (January) for comparison (Jan 2016)
Notice the dark spots on the left mirror - scuffing I can't get off without removing the dip



Copper look (July 2015)
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Offline zamobafood

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Re: Plasti-Dip-like the whole bike!
« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2016, 05:47:19 PM »
That cooper look is pretty cool. Hand wash only I assume?
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Offline Conniesaki

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Re: Plasti-Dip-like the whole bike!
« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2016, 05:55:33 PM »
Good lookin' color schemes, Wandrng.

Offline gPink

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Re: Plasti-Dip-like the whole bike!
« Reply #7 on: February 08, 2016, 06:02:12 PM »
Got to hand it to a man who buys a brand new bike and promptly takes a rattle can to the paint.  :chugbeer:

Offline RBX QB

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Re: Plasti-Dip-like the whole bike!
« Reply #8 on: February 08, 2016, 06:21:35 PM »
Got to hand it to a man who buys a brand new bike and promptly takes a rattle can to the paint.  :chugbeer:

^ That.
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Offline Wandrng

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Re: Plasti-Dip-like the whole bike!
« Reply #9 on: February 08, 2016, 06:44:56 PM »
Got to hand it to a man who buys a brand new bike and promptly takes a rattle can to the paint.  :chugbeer:

 ;D   I went in to buy the green.  I left with the Black (for a number of reasons).  During the four days of riding it took to work through the breakin period - I saw 5 Concoursi - all black.   On my first overnight trip a few days later, I met up with a large group of riders and in that group there were 3 Concourses - mine and two other blacks. (This was one of the reason I initially planned on buying the green, so many black models.)

I promptly thought up a color scheme, bought the plastidip and wah-laa - customized Concours that looks different then everyone else and left on my first 4K mile trip.

It just peels right back off with no effects to the paint, metal, plastic or rubber on the Concours. (pics below)

I plan on going back to all black in April

My stock black 2015 at exactly 100 miles on purchase day  - drove right out of the dealership for a 190 mile ride - stock black is pretty


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Offline Conrad

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Re: Plasti-Dip-like the whole bike!
« Reply #10 on: February 09, 2016, 05:20:04 AM »
That cooper look is pretty cool. Hand wash only I assume?

How else would you wash a bike, any bike, if not by hand?
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Offline maxtog

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Re: Plasti-Dip-like the whole bike!
« Reply #11 on: February 09, 2016, 05:37:59 AM »
That cooper look is pretty cool.

It is surprisingly interesting looking
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Offline maxtog

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Re: Plasti-Dip-like the whole bike!
« Reply #12 on: February 09, 2016, 05:39:13 AM »
How else would you wash a bike, any bike, if not by hand?

I wasn't going to comment :)
I was trying to picture riding it through an automatic car wash....  Ouch
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Offline Deziner

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Re: Plasti-Dip-like the whole bike!
« Reply #13 on: February 09, 2016, 06:19:56 AM »
Machine wash, tumble dry?
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Offline just gone

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Re: Plasti-Dip-like the whole bike!
« Reply #14 on: February 09, 2016, 09:26:15 AM »
How else would you wash a bike, any bike, if not by hand?

 I (and maybe V'Jim) only use my hands to roll the bike out into the rain, then the washing is in ....God's hands.

Offline Conrad

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Re: Plasti-Dip-like the whole bike!
« Reply #15 on: February 09, 2016, 09:56:51 AM »
I (and maybe V'Jim) only use my hands to roll the bike out into the rain, then the washing is in ....God's hands.

 :finger_fing11:
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Offline Wandrng

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Re: Plasti-Dip-like the whole bike!
« Reply #16 on: February 09, 2016, 10:22:19 AM »
That cooper look is pretty cool. Hand wash only I assume?

The green has held up to two bouts with the pressure wash down the street. No scrubing involved (due to pure laziness).

Usually it's just rain washed.
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Plasti-Dip-like the whole bike!
« Reply #17 on: February 11, 2016, 05:19:37 PM »
I (and maybe V'Jim) only use my hands to roll the bike out into the rain, then the washing is in ....God's hands.

Amen!
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Offline MAN OF BLUES

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Re: Plasti-Dip-like the whole bike!
« Reply #18 on: February 12, 2016, 12:21:59 PM »

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Offline jscon2011

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Re: Plasti-Dip-like the whole bike!
« Reply #19 on: February 21, 2016, 03:56:04 AM »
I promptly thought up a color scheme, bought the plastidip and wah-laa - customized Concours that looks different then everyone else and left on my first 4K mile trip.

It just peels right back off with no effects to the paint, metal, plastic or rubber on the Concours.


Would you be able to go into detail on just how you go about the whole plastic-dipping process? The contrast looks amazing. :o   It really doesn't affect the paint at all??
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