Learning All About Automotive Paint

The 101 On Plasti-Dips For Your Car's Exterior

Considering your car is most likely an imperative part of your daily life, ensuring it is clean and in good condition is key to protecting your investment. While regular oil changes and repairs are probably on your to-do list, you may not place enough energy into your car's auto body. An attractive exterior is not only necessary for your car's appeal, but it also plays an important role in a vehicle's total value. Fortunately, coating your car in a plastic wrap is a smart option for protecting its body and enhancing its appeal. Using this guide, you will understand how plastic dipping benefits your own car.

The 101 on Plastic Dips

Lowering your car into a large vat of plastic may be what you imagine when referencing plastic dipping, but that is not actually the case. In most cases, plastic coatings can be applied directly to your car's exterior on your own using a specialized spray gun.

Plastic dipping your car offers many benefits including the following:

  • Custom Style – You can choose from a variety of colors and finishes including a black matte or iridescent blue, so finding a custom look suited to your unique style is possible with plastic dipping. Since applications are not permanent, you can change up your car's look periodically.
  • Protection – Americans keep new cars for an estimated 71.4 months, so protecting your car's exterior with this plastic coating is a smart investment. Adding this thick layer of plastic to your car's body protects it from snow, hail, the harsh rays of the sun, rocks, and potential debris in the road.
  • Repair Option – If your car's exterior body is faded or deteriorating due to rust, consider covering with a plastic dip to prevent further damage.

DIY Steps for Plastic Dipping

While surprising to hear, you do not need to hire professionals to plastic dip your car. With a bit of patience and planning, you can easily apply this plastic coating to your car's exterior.

To get started, spend some time inspecting your car's body, locating any areas of rust or deterioration. Be sure to wear safety goggles to keep metal and paint from your eyes. In addition, wear durable work gloves to protect your hands from the corroded areas of metal on your car. Use a fine sandpaper on rusty areas of your car's body, removing rusty, chipped areas of paint.

After removing the rust, wash your car using a gentle solution of warm water and liquid dish soap. Use a soft sponge to wash the car's exterior and rinse off the soapy residue using your garden hose. Move a chamois cloth over the car's body to absorb the leftover water, drying the body off completely.

Prep your car for its plastic coating using painter's tape. Apply the tape to areas of your car's body that you do not want to coat with the plastic. Be sure to apply the tape around door hardware, lights, emblems, and the windows to protect these areas from the plastic spray.

After choosing your desired plastic color and finish, add to a power sprayer. Begin at your car's left fender. Hold the sprayer nozzle approximately 10 to 12 inches away from the car's surface before using side-sweeping motions to apply the plastic coating. Work your way towards the back of your car, spraying the body evenly. Allow the paint to dry before applying a second coat.

Also known as plastic wraps, plastic dipping is becoming a popular option for protecting and customization. Using this guide, you will understand the benefits of this improvement to your car's body and learn the best techniques to dip your own car. To get started, check out stores like Space Age Auto Paint Store.


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