Painting plastics on C5

AtitudeJim · Post by **AtitudeJim** » 09 Apr 2006, 08:27

Hi... my c5 is a lx model... so the the mirror caps and the door''s exterior plastics... are not painted in colour of the car.... can they be removed to be painted?

is it a easy diy? anyone has already painted it? or is it better to take them to a bodywork garage to get them painted?

what you all recommend?

thx

f00lzz · Post by **f00lzz** » 09 Apr 2006, 08:34

I believe that if you needed to buy replacements for the parts you mention, even if you had a 'colour coded' model.. the parts would come 'pre-primed' ready for your body shop to paint to the correct colour (think of all the parts they would need to stock otherwise) so! in answer to your question, yes you can and of course a body shop would make a better job and charge accordingly.

AtitudeJim · Post by **AtitudeJim** » 09 Apr 2006, 08:40

my plastics come in black plastic colour.... i'd like to get them all painted in silver as the car, so it looks the same as the c5 vtr wich all plastics are in the same colour. if its not a hard job to do, i would like to paint them myself... but if not... i'd like to take them to a proper place to get them painted. Saving some pound is always helpfull

cheers

dnsey · Post by **dnsey** » 09 Apr 2006, 09:11

Hammerite smooth silver is an exact match for my Xantia, and works very well on the plastics. Might be worth a look!

f00lzz · Post by **f00lzz** » 09 Apr 2006, 09:27

I think I would definately have a go.... lightly abraid the surface first, dnsey's idea sounds good to me.

reblack68 · Post by **reblack68** » 09 Apr 2006, 09:34

I'm sure there's a special primer for doing plastics. If you go to Autopaints or another local trade car paint supplier they should be able to sort you out with a decent primer and top coat. It might cost a little more but you'll get good advice and paint that's suitable for the job.

As for removing the parts- It all comes off and the job will go better with the parts removed. It's up to you to decide whether you can get the bits off without damage or mask the area adequately with them in place. The more time and effort you put in the better the results.

One thing- if you make a hash of the driver's door mirror it'll be THERE every time you drive the car.

AtitudeJim · Post by **AtitudeJim** » 09 Apr 2006, 09:41

thanks for all your help, yes i think there is a primer special for plastics...

im thinking of 1st use very light sand paper on the plastics... aplly primer... then give 2/3 coatings on each cover,

i think that the colour is citroen artic steel for the silver c5

how shoud i apply the paint? is there special spray cans? or do i have to use a proper pressure pistol (with paint mixer) with a compressor? if yes is it available in rent places like hewden hire center where you can hire various diy tools for domestic/industrial use.

cheers

reblack68 · Post by **reblack68** » 09 Apr 2006, 09:52

Autopaints will supply the paint in large aerosol cans.

mezuk04 · Post by **mezuk04** » 10 Apr 2006, 08:58

Probably cheaper to buy the VTR