Applying Plasti Dip to your car is a great way to try out different colors for fun or before settling for a particular color. How soon after painting can you touch, or drive your car? We researched this question to provide in-depth answers.
Plasti Dip can take between 30 minutes to one hour to dry before you can touch your car, and between 6 to 24 hours before you can drive your car.
The length of time depends on several factors including the thickness of the coat of paint, the number of coats, and the weather.
You don’t want to spoil a good paint job. So, read on to find out how long Plasti Dip takes to dry before touching or driving your car. Included is how to apply Plasti Dip and the pros and cons.
How Fast Does Plasti Dip Take To Dry?
Plasti Dip is a rubber coating that has a wide array of uses and is very popular in the automotive industry. If you are wondering which color to paint your car, you can first apply Plasti Dip.
It’s easy to remove, meaning you can try out many colors until you settle for a specific one that you like. This saves you money, instead of applying an expensive paint such as urethane or metallic, which you might not like later.
It is recommended to apply between 3 to 5 coats, allowing 30 minutes to dry between coats.
After you finish painting, allow your car to dry completely for 4 hours. However, add more drying time before you drive your car; 6 to 24 hours is good enough. And, of course, if the weather is hot it can dry much faster.
How To Plasti Dip Your Car
If you are planning to Plasti Dip your car soon, the first thing to do is gather all your tools and materials, including:
- Buckets
- Goggles
- Microfiber towels
- Newspapers
- Plasti Dip
- Painter’s tape
- Rubber gloves
- Spray gun and trigger
- Water
Below is a step-by-step guide on how to apply Plasti Dip:
Park Your Car
Start by parking your car in an enclosed well-ventilated space that is big enough for you to move about, like your garage. Avoid Plasti Dipping in the open because dirt and dust can stick to the coating. But, if you don’t have such an enclosure, look for a shaded area like under a tree away from the sunlight.
Wash And Dry Your Car
This is a set of terry towels on Amazon.
For a superb job, wash your car thoroughly using microfiber towels. The Plasti Dip is basically a new layer on your car. Applying layers over a surface that has dust, or other particles, will not give you the results you need. If possible, take your car to the automatic car wash.
Afterward, dry your car using a towel such as a terry towel. Don’t use paper towels or materials like a shirt that has buttons. You might leave scratches that may reduce the luster of the applied Plasti Dip.
Prepare The Surface
Cover the areas that you will not paint like the windows with newspapers and hold them down using painter’s tape. This is to prevent paint from splashing into unwanted areas.
Paint In Segments
For good results, paint your car in segments. You can start with any area you wish. For example, you first paint the hood and then move on to the roof as the hood is drying.
Apply The First Layer
Check out this spray gun on Amazon.
Plasti Dip cans are more suitable for painting small cars, requiring 14 to 16 cans. If you prefer to use a spray gun, you’ll need 2 one-gallon buckets of Plasti Dip.
Wear your mask and eye goggles. While holding your Plasti Dip can or spay gun 6 to 8 inches away from the surface, lightly spray the first layer. Spray moving back and forth, ensuring you do not spray on one spot for too long. Also, don’t miss a spot.
After applying the first layer, which will be slightly transparent, allow it to dry for 15 to 30 minutes, before applying the next layer. The drying time largely depends on the weather.
Apply Subsequent Layers
The number of layers you wish to spray is up to you. For a good finishing, 4 to 5 layers are the best. Remember to allow each layer to dry between 15 and 30 minutes.
Take Off The Tape And Newspapers
Detach the tape and remove the newspapers immediately after applying the last coat of paint. Allow it to cure for 4 hours, and during the process do not touch the paint. If you wish you may Plasti Dip the wheel rims.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Plasti Dip
You may be stuck trying to make a decision on whether to Plasti Dip your car or not. To help you, below are the pros and cons of Plasti Dip:
Pros
Cost Effective
If you are on a strict budget, Plasti-Dipping your car is the way to go. A normal paint job on a car can cost around $2,000. Apply the Plasti Dip including the sprayer and the paint costs on average around $500.
Easy Application
Applying normal paint to your car is time-consuming and labor-intensive. The steps require you to sand your car, wipe using thinners, apply primer, sand it again and finally apply paint.
To Plasti Dip is a fairly easy DIY task. Simply wash your car clean, and apply several layers of paint, depending on your preference.
Multiple Applications Without Causing Damage
Plasti Dip is easy to remove without damaging the original paint. Simply peel it off and you can apply a new coat many times. This is especially helpful if you are testing a few colors to make a decision on one.
Cons
Scratches Or Peels Easily
The paint easily peels off, meaning it is not strong enough. It can easily be scratched, and peels off easily. When you want to remove it, use a liquid wrench remover.
Not Durable
Painting if done well can last 5 years. Others can last between 20 and 30 years. Plasti dip on the other hand can only last up to 3 years.
How To Clean Plasti Dip Without It Peeling
If the Plasti Dip has been applied well, it will not peel when you wash your car. Also, there are chemicals to avoid, to prevent the paint from being dissolved.
Use A Sprayer With Low Pressure
Instead of using a washer sprayer to wash your car with Plasti Dip, use a washer that has low pressure. This is because the paint can come off. Therefore, a psi of 1,800 is preferable. However, if the paint coating was done well, the paint cannot peel off.
In addition, if the Plasti Dip has been done well you can take it for a wash through an automatic car wash without damaging it.
Don’t Use Cleaning Agents With Solvents And Thinners
Using cleaning agents with thinners or solvents can damage the Plasti Dip or cause it to peel. Besides, gasoline can destroy your Plasti Dip layers. However, you can purchase drip guards to prevent fuel from spilling.
This gadget prevents fuel from spilling found on Amazon.
Wash Normally
It is fine to wash your Plasti Dip using soap, and water, and dry it using a lint-free cloth. You could use special cloths and detergents that are specifically used to wash Plasti Dipped cars. Also, you may use wax or a finishing product.
In Closing
You can use Plasti Dip if you are on a budget and can’t spend much, or because you want to play around with colors before deciding which one to paint your car.
Applying Plasti Dip is a DIY project, but you should be careful to wait for it to dry in between applications. Also, ensure it dries thoroughly for up to 24 hours after the final coat has been applied.
If applied well, you will not have issues of it peeling or being damaged. To decide if you want to Plasti Dip, go through the cons and pros.
To learn how to apply paint on aluminum wheels or exhaust pipe, you may click on our previous posts below: