How To Plastidip Your Bike

I recently plastidipped my Chinese FM028 frame over the winter to see if it would protect it from salt/rocks/crud and there was a bit of interest in how to do it.

Once you get tired of the color, you simply peel off the plastidip!

[beyondme__]

So for those wondering out there if this works, it does! I am painting my Raleigh sport 2010 model and it is turning out FREAKIN If you do as he says in the video it'll work

Step one:
Purchase Plastidip at www.dipyourcar.com or check the Home Depot website if your local Home Depot has any plastidip (mine did, only in colors of black and white)
TIP:
If you want to see  how the colors look like on the dipyourcar website, up top there is a section that says ''COLORs'' and you can see how they look like since they it is not shown when you are selecting your particular color (I found this out after awhile)
By the way:
It ships from Florida, if you are wondering and a regular aersol can cost $6.85 and price varies if you want a more of a neon or metallic color.

Step two:
While it ships, I suggest removing what you can from the bike: Such as derailleurs (Alan/Hex keys), cranks (crank extractor), chainrings, Wheels, Handlebar, Stem, and chain. I did not remove the handlebars and stems, you can keep whatever on as long as you cover them while spraying.
TIP:
Remove what you can, ask a friend for tools/help, or just bring it to a bike shop. You can keep your wires as said in the video.

Step three:
Clean the bike. As stated in the video by Evan, dish soap and a sponge should be enough unless your bike is extremely dirty. Avoid getting water inside your frame and let it dry.

Step four:
Cover your bicycle for your design. Depending on how many cans you bought (I bought two cans) it should come with a fair amount of brown plain paper, I'd say about 5 or more feet. This is perfect for covering unwanted areas with it or use newspaper. For clean lines, I suggest using painting tape.

Step five:
Some how you should be able to elevate your bicycle. What I did was use a old wire and tied onto two poles a few feet apart. (Now remember my frame and fork are still together) Next I placed the front drop out on it with the weigh of the bike leaning on the wire and sprayed the upper half. The lower might be a bit difficult but you can flip your bike after and put your rear drop outs on the wire.

Step six:
Let the spraying COMMENCE. Shake very well for best results. Spray LIGHT EVEN coats as shown in da video. I allowed each coat to dry for 30 minutes (miniumal according to the spray can) and did a total of 4 coats. After I let it dry overnight since it was getting dark, the can says allow it to dry for 4 hours before using the item. RESPECT THE CAN INSTRUCTIONS!

Step seven:
Removing all the tape and paper protecting your bicycle. Now assemble the SQUAD!!, just kidding. Assemble your bicycle and now you are done. Enjoy your matte finish looking bicycle :D

[palmer]

I used to have a Raleigh BMX super tough burner as a 14 year old child way back in 1984 & that came out of the box with a gold plastic coat on oval tubing with black skyway wheels, loved that bike, single speed though so always knackered going anywhere.

[LeandroFTW]

One on the few Plastic Dip videos where the person knows what they are talking about. Good Job!

[rfwhyte]

Any chance you could update on how the plastidip has held up?

[hypercam]

Dude I used to work with you during your residency and I just randomly found this video on reddit when researching how to wrap my bike hahaha

[Seoulhawk]

I have been debating with myself on to do this or not. I am glad that I have found your video. I have a Trek that I really do not like the finish on and this would be an easy way to cover it up, and if I mess it up it's not permanent. I might have next winters project. Thanks for the info!

[billflanigan]

Great video - thanks.

Two questions: how's the durability holding up around high wear areas (cable housing & crank/leg/shoe rub for instance), and did you have a tough time with all the undersides & crevices on your frame?

[ladicius]

I'm going to plastidip things just to peel it off.

[evankuhl]

Bill, sorry I can't directly respond to you for some reason. I didn't have any problems spraying the crevices, just take your time. You can respray areas that break down, I didn't have any problems at rub spots

[Emtbtoday]

Used plasti dip on my wheels for for my cars for donkies years best results is heating the tin up abit before use! Keep the flow nice for layering and you don't use or waste near as much with passes on smaller part's! Not so great for bikes if you were to fall you would have to cut it out and spray a new part on but still thinking of doing it today to my new 2024 ebikenas suspension fox 38s is orange and me no likey the orange so much on a blue frame

[kyle]

from black, to the colour of old people's cars

[philippkellner]

Dude, did you weigh the bike afterwards ? Super curious how much weight it added..

[simonp]

Finally got around to trying it on mine. I'm 2.5 cans in and it is still not covered. The forks alone took 3/4 of a can. Doesn't cover very well. At $30AUS a can i'm thinking of cutting my losses.

[roborovski]

that is one sick colour, reminds me of aston martin

[redrocker]

Completely off topic but those Camlebak water bottles are the best damn water bottles ever.

[goldbunny]

Just a Thought; Wouldnt it be good if you had a swirling vortex of air around the item being sprayed (bit like Dyson Vac's and the item itself was held & rotated) such that all the paint you sprayed ended up on it instead of 50% of it in the air/on the backdrop cloth....

[lejileo]

Hi, I was also going to plastidip my bike so I'm glad i found your video.

When you painted the frame, did you mask off the BB area? I'm a little worried about the plastidip getting on to the threads.

And did you spray on 4-5 coats without intervals to let it dry? 

[TheRayDog]

10 years later now, plastidip release might be the way to go. Mask off the easy stuff and apply release to the hard areas. No disassembly. I'm looking for ease of application.

[marcelrogaa]

Hello Evan! Nice video. I have one question: is one can of plastidip (400m) enough to paint all full suspension frame (polygon collosus) ?

[puppiesful]

I guess this answers my question on if u can use this stuff on darker vehicles