Slate full teardown after 160K miles

[Luxrage]

Did some digging and people are painting their molded plastic tops of their broncos, but most everyone who talks about it simply paid a shop for the full job or "dealer was doing it in-house" so I'm not getting any really good leads on it. But at least shows it can be done.

From a thread on Bronco Nation.

Wanted to turn my Badlands into a Heritage Limited- but better. So many places said the top couldnt be wrapped or painted- but my dealer actually has been getting them painted, I think beautifully. Im in Dallas- and Stephen at Tx Prestige Auto is a magician and perfectionist. Its not simple- have to sand, prime, bond and paint- but it can be done. I dont like the Heritage seats and lack of front locker, stay bar disconnect, etc. which my Bronco has. Still have to put the stripes on. Thanks to Bronco Nation timhood for the look and info about the grille and wheels.

 

[IanNubbit]

Did some digging and people are painting their molded plastic tops of their broncos, but most everyone who talks about it simply paid a shop for the full job or "dealer was doing it in-house" so I'm not getting any really good leads on it. But at least shows it can be done.

From a thread on Bronco Nation.

Wanted to turn my Badlands into a Heritage Limited- but better. So many places said the top couldnt be wrapped or painted- but my dealer actually has been getting them painted, I think beautifully. Im in Dallas- and Stephen at Tx Prestige Auto is a magician and perfectionist. Its not simple- have to sand, prime, bond and paint- but it can be done. I dont like the Heritage seats and lack of front locker, stay bar disconnect, etc. which my Bronco has. Still have to put the stripes on. Thanks to Bronco Nation timhood for the look and info about the grille and wheels.

Anything can be painted, it's longevity that you have to question. There is a company that paints the mold in black textured Jeep fenders here. Mind you the plastic fender flares on Jeeps and Broncos are painted on some trims as well.

I fell you might be spending a little too much in research on a "solved" issue. The issue is not painting plastic, otherwise there would be no such thing as painted bumpers like there is on basically every car on the road today. The issue is painting a flexible plastic. I would look more into how people are doing paint or if they are all just sticking to wraps on the poly-bumpers getting popular in drifting. They are made to flex and bounce back to keep from constantly blowing up fiberglass or traditional bumpers every time they tap the wall.

 

[Luxrage]

Anything can be painted, it's longevity that you have to question. There is a company that paints the mold in black textured Jeep fenders here. Mind you the plastic fender flares on Jeeps and Broncos are painted on some trims as well.

Part of this is my backup plan if the Slate doesn't work out is a two-door Bronco lol (and those don't come w/the fiberglass tops). It's good to know my options for painting those if I am forced down that route. But if I do get the Slate and I don't rattle-can it, at least I know they've got the process down.

I will say on both of the cars that I've had with repainted front bumpers the paint has peeled on both of them, so that doesn't give me much hope, but I know what to look out for to see how well those tops age.

 

[IanNubbit]

Part of this is my backup plan if the Slate doesn't work out is a two-door Bronco lol (and those don't come w/the fiberglass tops). It's good to know my options for painting those if I am forced down that route. But if I do get the Slate and I don't rattle-can it, at least I know they've got the process down.

I will say on both of the cars that I've had with repainted front bumpers the paint has peeled on both of them, so that doesn't give me much hope, but I know what to look out for to see how well those tops age.

The reason that paint peeled is because of poor prep. The issue is with painting the Slate panels is the are supposed to be softer more flexible panels. So really outside of say the Sayurn from many many years ago, no in the industry is using that durable material, ezcept those poly bunpers people are just starting to use in drifting over the last few years

 

[sodamo]

The reason that paint peeled is because of poor prep. The issue is with painting the Slate panels is the are supposed to be softer more flexible panels. So really outside of say the Sayurn from many many years ago, no in the industry is using that durable material, ezcept those poly bunpers people are just starting to use in drifting over the last few years

Poor prep and not the right product. A rattle can from Walmart may look good initially, but it won’t last. I did R&D for painting GTO front bumper (and others) many years. Yes, the tech has changed, but not the underlying principles. Flexible, UV stable with good adhesion or don’t waste your time and money.

 

[NMNeil]

Thanks. Do you think this is the type of headlamp Slate will use? I'm not so sure they will, but that's just me.

I hope so because it would mean you could pick up an inexpensive replacement anywhere.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

I hope so because it would mean you could pick up an inexpensive replacement anywhere.

It would be a surprise if Slate would choose an incandescent sealed-beam headlamp.

 

[NMNeil]

It would be a surprise if Slate would choose an incandescent sealed-beam headlamp.

I'm sure they have similar sealed beam headlights using LED's