The plastidip rave...

**Lotuseffect** · 04-13-2012, 04:08 PM

I have been doing PlastiDip on wheels for people, emblems, etc for about 9 months now. Lately I am getting more calls and requests to do more of it. I dont advertise it on my website or anywhere really because I just dont get as much enjoyment out of doing it as polishing swirled paint to a nice gloss.

However, I have gotten 2 calls this week from 2 different people who want me to plasti dip their whole vehicle. I told them I am booked for the next 2 weeks but I am going out to both for a free consult with them about it. Normally I rarely get calls for whole cars to be dipped.

Does anyone here do this type of thing? How much do you charge for it? I charge $175 for wheels and the people whose wheels I have done told me other detailers told them 200 and up so I was a little miffed I was undercutting for a service I dont particularly enjoy doing.

Mind you, its easy money, I do it very well, no runs, bubbles, etc. It isnt rocket science, I just have a hang up about it. I dont want to feel like I am becoming the detailer for the "fast and furious" crowd, as both of these calls came as referrals from a wheel job I did on a Scion B.

The predicament I have is the initial investment would be about $200 dollars for a paint sprayer because I am not doing this 1 can at a time like I can for wheels and emblems, then purchasing the actual dip by the gallon from USplastics. If I bite the bullet and get the sprayer then I would have to do this on a more regular basis to warrant my investment and return. $200 bucks isnt much, I know, but I dont want to be known as the "PlastiDip" detailer either. LOL

Sorry to be verbose, just looking for some opinions from others around here.

**David Fermani** · 04-13-2012, 04:16 PM

Never heard of the product. Can you explain it in more detail....

**Lotuseffect** · 04-13-2012, 04:28 PM

David,

It is basically rubber in spray form. At the end of a pair of pliers there is that rubber material for you to grip it. That is plasti dip. Here is a pic of a car plasti dipped entirely.

Here is a picture of an Audi S4 (White) Plastidipped in Grey or gunmetal plasti dip

Here is an F150 in Black

Basically the black creates a Matte appearance to the vehicle. It is long lasting and you can easily peel it right off very quickly. It is not permanent by any means. Here is a link to the USplastics site:

Search Results | U.S. Plastic Corp.

All the work involved is in the prep and taping off of the vehicle, the spraying itself is easily done. Apply a coat, wait 5-7 minutes apply another coat, repeat about 4-5 times until the original paint color is well hidden and it fully cures in less than an hour. It hold up very well to heat even on rims and wheels and does not peel off by itself.

In fact if I ever have to drive to visit my wifes people in Minnesota again I will definately apply the clear one to my cars from bumpers and front hood prior to driving on the interstates.

**MirrorDetailing** · 04-13-2012, 04:43 PM

I am curious as well...as a customer of mine is plastidipping his BMW before 1-Lap of America as his car competes in it. He is ordering it and wants to apply it after I wash and clay the paint for him. I am interested in it too see if its worth something to get into.

**David Fermani** · 04-13-2012, 04:46 PM

That`s amazing stuff. Way easier and cheaper then wrapping a car. How much do you charge to do an entire average sized vehicle?

**Lotuseffect** · 04-13-2012, 05:01 PM

I was thinking if I decide to go ahead with it charging in the neighborhood of 500. The cans cover a 5sq foot area and are $7. I estimate I would have to buy it by the gallon in order to save money on materials, however by the gallon it is non aerosol so you need to mix it with thinner. The gallons are $65 and a Gallon of thinner is $30 roughly. The mixture is 50/50. I estimate 1 gallon possibly 2 if I am going from a white vehicle to black as I am imagining more coats being necessary.

This would be $150 in just materials. I would still have to wash the vehicle, and do an IPA wipe, as I have found this helps the spray adhere to the surface even when doing something as small as emblems. So my basic wash is $50. My estimation for spraying the entire vehicle is a 4-5 hour process. My rate for detailing is $40 per hour and I see no need to lower it because I have a sprayer in my hand and not a polisher

However, I have searched all my local zip codes in google for detailers which offer this and no one really does so it could be a bit of a boon until people catch on a bit. I may have to get with Garry Dean and we will dominate the Tampa Bay area in this lol.

Dont get me wrong the look is really unique even on something as minimal as emblems. Here it is on the Chrome grill of a SRX

lol Here is that same Audi in Matte black.

It is very distinctive. It gives a kind of stealth look to the car.

**Paul Sparks** · 04-13-2012, 05:10 PM

overtimedetailer over on DB posted a video of spraying a whole car. I think he is also a distributor of the product in LA. Search plastidip to find.

**Lotuseffect** · 04-13-2012, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by MachNU

I am curious as well...as a customer of mine is plastidipping his BMW before 1-Lap of America as his car competes in it. He is ordering it and wants to apply it after I wash and clay the paint for him. I am interested in it too see if its worth something to get into.

In all honesty go to a local Ace Hardware store and pick up a can. Its about $7. The learning curve is minimal. Shake the can very well and hold the can about 5-6" from the surface of the car. Spray evenly in long motions a coat on your door or hood. Vertical panels require a little more care because one pause in spraying can cause a run. Nice even strokes. Let the first coat sit for about 5-7 mins. Apply another coat. Repeat until the door/hood is fully covered. Let it dry for about 45 mins. If you dont like it just peel it back from the side of a panel. It comes off in one large strip once its dry and leaves no trace of any adhesive behind.

One thing, wear nitrile gloves, this stuff gets on your hands very easily.

**MSOsr** · 04-13-2012, 07:20 PM

I did my front grills on my CTS-V. Very simple to do and you don`t even have to be precise...in fact, the product is designed to be "oversprayed" so you can peel off the extra and make a clean line of new color. Watch the YouTube videos of "plasti dip grill" and you`ll understand the process much better.

Mike

**Garry Dean** · 04-13-2012, 08:12 PM

George, call me... I`m in!

**C. Charles Hahn** · 04-13-2012, 08:46 PM

Nice, George... I`ve never done this for customers but it`s a very interesting prospect!

**Nth Degree** · 04-13-2012, 10:57 PM

Never thought to do a whole car. I think you might be right, though. Once it catches on you will no longer have a unique service. I didn`t know they have a clear. That is a great idea for trips or when your local streets are being repaved and you don`t want something permanent. I have a client who likes to track his cars and this could be a perfect solution. Any idea how it holds up to impacts compared to a clear bra?

**pingable** · 04-14-2012, 10:30 AM

Lotus - What`s the buildup film on this.

Can only let`s say use a heavy oily wax, and then spray it on thick.....

This is actually for a different application though ;-)

I`m in the planning stages for bathroom remodeling and want to do this to the 400lb cast iron beast - and plan to take it off when the job is done.

There are *bucket pail* products similar to this, but if I can use this Plasti Dip and get it locally, all the better !

**MirrorDetailing** · 04-14-2012, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by Nth Degree

Never thought to do a whole car. I think you might be right, though. Once it catches on you will no longer have a unique service. I didn`t know they have a clear. That is a great idea for trips or when your local streets are being repaved and you don`t want something permanent. I have a client who likes to track his cars and this could be a perfect solution. Any idea how it holds up to impacts compared to a clear bra?

My thoughts exactly. I have a lot of customers who track their vehicles and this might be an interesting selling point for them.

Also Lotus, have you tried adhering anything to the plastidip? Like sticking stickers to it?

**Lotuseffect** · 04-14-2012, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by chefwong

Lotus - What`s the buildup film on this.

Can only let`s say use a heavy oily wax, and then spray it on thick.....

This is actually for a different application though ;-)

I`m in the planning stages for bathroom remodeling and want to do this to the 400lb cast iron beast - and plan to take it off when the job is done.

There are *bucket pail* products similar to this, but if I can use this Plasti Dip and get it locally, all the better !

Basically it offers good protection against bumping, light scratching etc. However, like I said, it is not difficult to peel off. You can basically apply thumb pressure to it and drag your thumb along the painted panel and get it to pull up. I am referencing this at a 50/50 mixed with thinner solution. A 100% non aerosol solution I have never used. However, basically if you have a pair of pliers, or any tool with that colored rubbery plastic on the handles, thats 100% non thinned plastidip. I wouldnt try applying it to a vehicle that didnt have the LSP removed as much as possible. I have never tested this, I just make the assumption, it needs to adhere to a surface rather than a coating on the surface.