To plasti-dip or not....
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
To plasti-dip or not....
Hey everyone, new to the site and new to Benz ownership. My ride is a black '17 C43 sedan. I have a couple of questions about plasti-dip. Has anyone done their rear diffuser/front lip? Glossy or matte? How does it look? Can I use a pressure washer on it? Any other products/wraps out there that are similar? Didn't get Night Package on mine but kinda wishing I did.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
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b3nzo (07-18-2017)
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Glossy or matte? Any pics? Does it hold up to washing?
Did you remove the diffuser or spray with it still attached to the car?
For sure doing the front, problem is I live in a rural area, bugs are pretty bad out here, that's why I asked if the plasti-dip will take to pressure washing.
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
Done properly, PD will absolutely hold up to pressure washing. Did all the emblems and grill on my Tacoma and all emblems on my FRS and they held up for as long as I had both cars. The grill on my Tacoma had a lot of rock chips over time that were very noticeable because I was covering chrome. A quick pull of the grill and touch up coat and things were back to normal. Never had to touch up my emblems on the FRS...stayed flawless for 4 years.
I would suggest practicing on something before actually applying to your car. Never hurts to get a feel for how it covers.
I would suggest practicing on something before actually applying to your car. Never hurts to get a feel for how it covers.
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b3nzo (07-18-2017)
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b3nzo (07-18-2017)
#6
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#7
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#8
Senior Member
I was thinking about getting the front lip and diffuser wrapped as well but recently started looking in to maybe having them dipped. I have a few questions about this:
1) I've seen a number of videos from DipYourCar on YouTube and it seems pretty straight forward. Given that I don't want to dip the entire car, can anyone recommend if I should leave the part on and tape-off the surrounding area when dipping it, or if I should remove the part to dip it.
2) I have a colleague that dipped the wheels on his car matte black. Given that it's years later now, they look pretty bad. I never got a chance to see them when they were new - does dipping actually look like a tacky matte wrap job right out of the gate?
3) Is there a preferred brand people use? The most convenient for me to pick up is: https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.p...000747809.html. Not sure how I feel about applying a $20 spray to OEM parts that are probably pretty expensive to replace if the spraying doesn't go as planned or doesn't peel nicely even after multiple coats.
1) I've seen a number of videos from DipYourCar on YouTube and it seems pretty straight forward. Given that I don't want to dip the entire car, can anyone recommend if I should leave the part on and tape-off the surrounding area when dipping it, or if I should remove the part to dip it.
2) I have a colleague that dipped the wheels on his car matte black. Given that it's years later now, they look pretty bad. I never got a chance to see them when they were new - does dipping actually look like a tacky matte wrap job right out of the gate?
3) Is there a preferred brand people use? The most convenient for me to pick up is: https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.p...000747809.html. Not sure how I feel about applying a $20 spray to OEM parts that are probably pretty expensive to replace if the spraying doesn't go as planned or doesn't peel nicely even after multiple coats.
#10
MBWorld Fanatic!
I was thinking about getting the front lip and diffuser wrapped as well but recently started looking in to maybe having them dipped. I have a few questions about this:
1) I've seen a number of videos from DipYourCar on YouTube and it seems pretty straight forward. Given that I don't want to dip the entire car, can anyone recommend if I should leave the part on and tape-off the surrounding area when dipping it, or if I should remove the part to dip it.
2) I have a colleague that dipped the wheels on his car matte black. Given that it's years later now, they look pretty bad. I never got a chance to see them when they were new - does dipping actually look like a tacky matte wrap job right out of the gate?
3) Is there a preferred brand people use? The most convenient for me to pick up is: https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.p...000747809.html. Not sure how I feel about applying a $20 spray to OEM parts that are probably pretty expensive to replace if the spraying doesn't go as planned or doesn't peel nicely even after multiple coats.
1) I've seen a number of videos from DipYourCar on YouTube and it seems pretty straight forward. Given that I don't want to dip the entire car, can anyone recommend if I should leave the part on and tape-off the surrounding area when dipping it, or if I should remove the part to dip it.
2) I have a colleague that dipped the wheels on his car matte black. Given that it's years later now, they look pretty bad. I never got a chance to see them when they were new - does dipping actually look like a tacky matte wrap job right out of the gate?
3) Is there a preferred brand people use? The most convenient for me to pick up is: https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.p...000747809.html. Not sure how I feel about applying a $20 spray to OEM parts that are probably pretty expensive to replace if the spraying doesn't go as planned or doesn't peel nicely even after multiple coats.
Things to remember...
- It's completely removable - even over spray particles come off reasonably easy, even without a machine.
- It's not the same as conventional paint. It's not going to be mirror smooth as glass like your car, but it can have a good sheen appearance. There are gloss and matte products that can push one way or the other.
- It's easy to touch up. Yes, a front splitter or wheels are going to receive a ton of debris impact. With that said, with a small amount of effort for masking, a whole splitter could be touched up in less than 30min.
Plenty of examples online, but I just saw this guy at my local Cars & Coffee...looks flawless. 100% PlastiDip
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RichardCranium3 (07-20-2017)
#14
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2020 MB-AMG GLC43
I dipped my front lip and rear diffuser. The front lip looks amazing. The smooth nature of the surface turned out really well. The diffuser looks OK, but I prefer gloss - so may do something different.
I am thinking of wrapping my chrome strip on the trunk, and the side skirt trim. Just wish I knew how to get that off to do it well.
I am thinking of wrapping my chrome strip on the trunk, and the side skirt trim. Just wish I knew how to get that off to do it well.
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b3nzo (07-21-2017)
#15
Junior Member
Thread Starter
I dipped my front lip and rear diffuser. The front lip looks amazing. The smooth nature of the surface turned out really well. The diffuser looks OK, but I prefer gloss - so may do something different.
I am thinking of wrapping my chrome strip on the trunk, and the side skirt trim. Just wish I knew how to get that off to do it well.
I am thinking of wrapping my chrome strip on the trunk, and the side skirt trim. Just wish I knew how to get that off to do it well.
#16
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2020 MB-AMG GLC43
The front lip is holding out very well - I have had it on for 8 months and through a winter. No sign of any touch-up work needed.
#18
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2020 MB-AMG GLC43
... be generous, and be patient.
Mask well so you can't overspray. Overspray doesn't hurt but it is annoying.
Put plenty on. Maybe two or three thin coats rather than one thick coat.
Be cautious when taking your tape off. Maybe cautious use of an art knife.
Hope that you don't mind. Just my (limited) experience.
#19
Senior Member
I plasti dipped my front emblem and have used it on other vehicles in the past. The key i've founn is in the application. You want to treat it like paint. Apply a very light first coat, followed by multiple other coats overlapping. If properly applied you should have no issues with car washes/power washers. Make sure you clean the spray nozzle after every use or it will clump up and spray on like garbage.
#20
Junior Member
Thread Starter
yeah, no worries. Appreciate all the (good) advice I can get. Some experience with body work/ body panel removal but never on a brand new Benz, especially my brand new Benz.
Before pic;
Needs a wash, lots of bugs where I live.
Before pic;
Needs a wash, lots of bugs where I live.
#21
My Car
I plasti dipped my rear diffuser front lip and had the bottom side skirts wrapped in vinyl and I'm pleased with the outcome. Just recently painted the calipers as well. I went with a gloss finish to match the midnight package but in retrospect would have likely done it in matte
#23
Thanks! Yeah, i like the satin look as well. I thought the gloss would look good with the mirrors and sills being gloss black from the factory but i think the satin would be fine too...
#24
Junior Member