Okay,
So as a photoshop guru, I get asked lots of questions about what would this look like in a different color. Even with a photo, its hard to visualize how something might really look in person. So what if you could temporarily change the color? Enter Plasti Dip.
So here's the guinea pig for our DIY.
Yep, I traded the Mini in on a Toyota FJ Cruiser.
Anyways, we'll be focusing on some of that nasty grey plastic.
So here's what's needed
Plasti Dip (home depot or lowes should have some)
-Standard colors are black, red, white, yellow. But, also available is a mix your own color, but it doesnt come in an aerosol.
Painter's tape
Mineral Spirits
and a clean rag
That's really all you need.
Clean the surface with mineral spirits to remove any dirt or grease.
Tape off the area. If you're doing emblems or there's a defined line on your part or vehicle, you dont have to be very close. Here I left a good gap around the emblem.
Paint it on like spray paint. Use thin coats if you have a body line to follow but a thick coat if you want a crisp line from the tape.
Thin coats will look splotchy, but much of the texture goes away as it dries.
Here is the finished product without the edges cleaned up around the emblem.
I decided that I loved the look so off with the temporary color and on with the permanent painting. This stuff peels off without damaging the paint underneath.
To get clean edges, you either need to spray thin coats and run a toothpick along the tape edge after each coat or spray a thick coat and remove the tape immediately. Here is what it looks like when you wait too long to pull the tape. The flat edges where the tape was are all torn up.
For emblems this doesnt really matter much as there is usually a gap between the emblem and body.
Now I know your wondering, just how confident are you that this wont hurt the paint....
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yeah I did.
Final product (remember its temporary). The finish is very rubbery to the touch, and leaves a textured finish. Thicker coats will have less texture, but you will always get a satin finish. I havent decided if I like the hood decal or not, so I havent peeled it off yet (gonna drive it around for a few days and see if I still like it).
This is stuff is fairly robust and can last several months. It will work on wheels as well (hint hint, those who want to see their wheels blacked out). Total cost for the project under $20 for the hood. Much cheaper than trying a decal.
This stuff cleans easily if you have over-spray or want to remove it. Any oil based product, like mineral spirits, will melt the dried plasti dip. Any plasti dip that is hard to remove by peeling it off, can be melted and removed with mineral spirits. This can be an issue if you drive through fuel spills.
So get out there and try some stuff you were always afraid to try.