Are you tired of the plasti dip on your car and do you want to learn more about the ways of plasti dip removal? Well, if that is the case, then you are at the right place because there will be a lot to cover on this topic when it comes to the removal of plasti dip.
- Plasti Dip?
- How Long It Lasts?
- Skill Needed
- Pros & Cons
- How To Apply?
- How To Remove?
- Conclusion
- F.A.Q
Every one of us at one point will get tired from the mods that we install on our cars and the same thing is for plasti dip. At first, it might look cool and different. But after a year or so, you would probably want to return to stock and remove the plasti dip.
Even though the application can be far easier in comparison to the removal of this solution from your car or truck. What is important for you is not to hurry and try to peel this thing off from the vehicle since there are some easier methods to do this task without a ton of headaches and we are going to help you out when it comes to this.
First, we are going to learn what is plasti dip and why it is so popular, then we will learn how long it lasts and the pros and cons of plasti dip. After that, we are going to learn how the plasti dip is applied and after that, we will discuss the plasti dip removal and learn all the different methods. So, if you want to learn more, follow along.
What Is Plasti Dip?
Now let’s learn what is plasti dip. As you all know we need to start from the basics and understand more about plasti dip in order to dive into the plasti dip removal. If you feel like you are well prepared and know this stuff well, you can jump to one of the following chapters. If not, keep up with us for a bit until we learn the basics.
So, what is plasti dip? Well, plasti dip in simple terms is liquid rubber. This way of painting liquid rubber or plasti dip was really popular a couple of years ago when everybody painted their cars in matte black and the wheels were painted in crazy colors like pink, purple, or green.
Nevertheless, even though plasti dip is not as popular as it was. It is still widely used by people who want to change the looks of their car and get some thumbs up from their fellow car guys. Which is rather nice to have.
When it comes to plasti dip, it is good to know that this is one of the easiest methods that you can try and change the paint of your car. This type of painting is so easy that even a child can use it. And if you thought about painting the wheels or the car with this solution, then you should definitely do it in our opinion.
Personally, I plasti dipped the wheels of my car a few years back in matte black and they came out really good. But after a couple of months, I got tired and started learning about plasti dip removal. And learned all the different ways to remove plasti dip, which I will cover later on. But first, let’s learn how long does plasti dip last.
How Long Does Plasti Dip Last?
Now before we learn more about the plasti dip removal methods, let’s learn more about how long this paint lasts on the car. What is its lifespan on the surface where you paint?
Well, the longevity of the solution really depends on the thickness of the coat that you apply. Some coats that are thicker can last for a longer period than thinner coats.
Even though, even thicker coats after a few years will start to degrade. Usually thinner coats last for a year on average. While thicker coats last for longer than this.
Another thing that you need to be aware of is the environment where you live. For example, if you paint the wheels and you drive daily the car through different conditions, you can expect the paint to start chipping and the coat to start decomposing.
Also, if you have a car that you park outside all day every day, then the coat will start to chip after a year or so.
This is often the case because the coat is liquid rubber. And as we all know, rubber and plastic are heavily affected by temperatures.
The coat will start to dry out from the heat after a year or so and will chip away bit by bit. In these situations, you definitely want to look for plasti dip removal. But more about the removal we are going to cover later on after we learn the experience needed to apply this solution as well as the pros and cons involved in this type of work.
This will be extra useful for novice mechanics who want to experiment with this type of solution and learn how beginner-friendly they actually are.
Experience Needed To Plasti Dip?
Now let’s cover another topic before we dive into the plasti dip removal and that is the experience needed to apply this coat. Knowing this will be extra useful for beginners who are just starting with these types of mods and want to learn more about the level of skill needed to apply this type of solution to their vehicle.
Frankly, the plasti dip is one of the solutions that is the easiest to apply. You just cannot compare it with regular paint. The dip is so forgiving and will allow you to practice your skill basically.
The key element when it comes to applying this product is prep work. Prep work is the key. The surface on which you apply this solution has to be properly cleaned and all the oils and other contaminants removed before you decide to apply this solution.
So, if there should be some repairs that have to be done, fix them first. Then wipe everything with alcohol and make sure that there is no dust on the surface.
Because if you leave the contaminants on the surface, the product will not last and will peel off really fast. This is why prepping is key. And not only for this type of painting but for any type of painting. It doesn’t matter if you apply regular paint or powder coating. Prepping the surface is key.
And as we said, this solution is very forgiving. You apply two coats and if you don’t like it, you can just peel it off from the surface. No big deal. This is why I would recommend trying this before you learn how to paint with real paint. But what about the plasti dip removal? More on this in a bit.
Plasti Dip Pros And Cons
Now let’s cover another interesting topic before we start discussing the plasti dip removal. And that topic is the pros and cons of having your car plasti dipped.
Everything has pros and cons and so is the case with the plasti dip. So, this will be extra useful for new people who want to do this mod on their cars. Now let’s get into it and cover these pros and cons really quick before we dive into the plasti dip removal methods.
Pros
Now let’s first discuss the pros of painting your car with plasti dip. So, what are the positives of using plasti dip instead of regular paint let’s say? Let’s elaborate.
The first and biggest pro of painting your car with this solution instead of regular paint is the ease of application. It is dead simple to do and anybody can do it.
You only need an air compressor and a special sprayer to paint the whole car. Or if you only spray your wheels, you can purchase this product in spray cans and spray it on your car. Simple as that.
The second biggest pro is that it is really forgiving. Unlike regular paint that can get orange peeled or look terrible once it dries out, the plasti dip rarely has problems like these. In most cases, you will only need two coats to cover a surface and that’s it.
The next pro of using plasti dip instead of paint is that it cures really fast and you don’t need a special environment like a painting booth. You can spray this solution in your front yard and it will cure in a couple of hours max. Especially if the weather is really hot.
Another pro of dipping your car is that you can choose any color you like. They have a ton of different colors, from classic colors for muscle cars to modern paints that look spectacular.
Also, this solution is rather cheap, costing $10 to $15 per can. So, it is affordable for absolutely anyone out there. And the last pro that we are going to cover is that the plasti dip removal is a really simple and DIY-friendly job.
Cons
Now before we dive into the plasti dip removal, let’s cover another topic, and that is the cons of this type of painting. Are there cons when it comes to dipping the car in plastic?
Well, there are some. And most of the cons are related to the longevity of this product. Not that it will not last. But its lifespan is limited based on the circumstances.
So, if you are looking for a long-term solution when it comes to painting a car, dipping the car in plastic is not the thing you are after. Why I’m saying this? Well, because it is true. Let me elaborate.
The first thing when it comes to this way of painting is that you are not applying paint. You are applying colored rubber that resembles a paint finish. And as we all know, rubber dries out if it’s exposed for too long to the elements. The max lifespan of this product is about 2 to 3 years if you keep your car in a temperature-regulated garage.
If you park it on the street, then you shouldn’t expect this solution to last for more than a year, even 1 year is a respectable number if you use the car in the elements.
Also, the plasti dip is really soft. So, if you drive off-road a lot or through gravel. Then you can expect some of these rocks to damage the finish and cause the rubber to peel off.
Not an ideal thing, but that’s how things go when you are doing this type of work to your car. This is why we do not recommend this product when it comes to off-road applications. But what about the plasti dip removal? More on that in a bit.
How To Apply Plasti Dip?
Now before we learn the plasti dip removal methods, let’s learn how this product is applied first. This is another really important topic since a ton of people who are reading this article on how to remove this product do not know how it is applied in the first place. And this is why we are making this small guide. So, let’s begin.
The first thing that you need to worry about when it comes to applying any type of coat whether it is plasti dip, paint, or powder coat is prep work.
Prep work should be your top priority when it comes to applying any of these solutions. And by prep work, we mean that you should fix any imperfections on the surface and make sure that it is ideally smooth.
Fill that small holes with Bondo and then sand everything until you get that perfect finish. Then the next step will involve washing the surface with water and then you can finish the prep work by masking everything that you don’t want to paint on.
Even though plasti dip is forgiving, we recommend this for you to avoid peeling it off if you do an overspray.
Then once everything is masked out, make sure that you pass on the surface with a paper towel and alcohol and everything is perfect.
Then you can start applying the plasti dip. First, apply a light coat that will stick to the surface. You don’t need to cover 100% of the surface right away. Just make sure that it has enough surface for the second coat to stick on.
Then when it comes to the second coat, apply a more generous amount. And if you feel the need apply a third coat. And that’s it.
Best Way To Remove Plasti Dip
Now let’s get to business and cover the plasti dip removal tips. We explained everything you need to know about the plasti dip and its application.
Now it is time to focus on the removal process and learn how can you get rid of the plasti dip and bring your car back to stock settings. So, let’s get into it.
1. Plasti Dip Removal Spray
The first thing that you can try when it comes to the plasti dip removal would be Goo Gone. Goo Gone is a special product that targets rubber and different adhesives. This is a well-established product that works most of the time.
Even though it is not as effective as you might think when it comes to the easiness of removal of plastic. What is worth noting is that this is a special plasti dip removal solvent that is sprayed on the surface.
Once you spray it on the surface, you will need to wait a few minutes until this chemical compound starts to dissolve the plasti dip.
Once the dip starts to liquefy, you will need to rub it really well to remove it. Or if you have a pressure washer, you can pressure wash the plasti dip removal chemical. This way is the easiest when it comes to the removal of this goo. How it’s done you can check it out in the video that we attached. Now let’s move to the next method.
2. Plasti Dip Removal WD40
The second method for plasti dip removal is by using WD40. We all know what is WD40 right? This is one of the best inventions. It does everything. A real jack of all trades.
But jokes aside, this WD40 can also remove plasti dip. Well, not literally. But it can somewhat corrode the material and make you able to remove it with a power washer.
We do not recommend this method since it is not as effective as you probably would think. But if you don’t have a better idea, you can give it a try. How it’s done you can check in the video that we attached.
3. Using A Heat Gun
The next method for plasti dip removal that we would recommend is to use a heat gun. And frankly, this is the best out of the bunch if you don’t want to get your hands dirty.
Just get a hairdryer and apply heat to the surface. The heat will soften up the material and removing it would be a real breeze. It will peel off right away.
Still, it is time-consuming but in my opinion, it is completely worth it. This is why we recommend it. And the next method is even better than this one.
4. Using Kerosene (Best Method)
And the last method in our list of plasti dip removal tools is removing this material with the help of kerosene.
That’s right, kerosene which also is known as jet fuel can remove this dip. But how come? Well, kerosene is able to corrode the rubber and will easily remove anything you throw at it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhMrElwQvqc
The only thing you will need is kerosene and applying this liquid with a brush to the rim for example. It will start to dissolve and the dip will fall off.
But there are downsides. Kerosene is flammable and you could get hurt. Not to mention that it is greasy and will keep a grease layer on the surface even after you wash it. Also, the kerosene will end up in the sewer. Something that is not ideal. So, even though this liquid does the job well. It is not that user-friendly. So, you might be better off using the heat gun.
Conclusion
In this article, we learned quite a bit when it comes to plasti dip. First, we learned what this solution is and then we covered the pros and cons of using it on your car or truck. It is a perfect way to change the color of your wheels cheaply.
Then we learned how this solution is applied and after that, we covered the most common methods of plasti dip removal. Removing this material can be a tedious process. So, you need to be persistent with it.
F.A.Q
Now let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
What Is Plasti Dip
Plasti dip is a liquid plastic product that you can spray on your car and change the color in the process. This solution is very convenient to use. Especially for rims and other small jobs that require no effort to do. This product comes in a lot of different colors to choose from.
How Long Does Plasti Dip Last
This product usually lasts about a year. It really depends on the driving style you have and other factors like where you park your car and if the car is exposed to the elements. For example, if you drive off-road, you could easily damage this coat.
How Long Does Plasti Dip Take To Dry
It usually takes a couple of hours to dry. But we still recommend you to leave it overnight or for a couple of days in order so the rubber cures completely. If you don’t leave it to dry well, it could easily peel off when you touch it.
How To Remove Plasti Dip
You can try a few different methods to remove this material. Products like Goo Gone or WD40 can help you out. But the most effective way in our opinion is to use a heat gun and take your time. The heat gun will soften up the rubber and will peel off really easily.
How Much Does It Cost To Plasti Dip A Car
This really depends on the skill level that you have. But if you do it at home in your garage. It will take you a couple of days to mask everything and then apply this product to the paint.
How To Remove Plasti Dip From Rims
Removing this product is possibly by using solutions such as Goo Gone or WD40 and a power washer. But the most effective way in our opinion is to use a heat gun. Just heat up the material and it will easily peel off.
