S
Steelhead Slayer
Member
I see there is a white hood on the 2011 Rush 800 retro. Any reason this wouldn't fit on a pro? Might look good on the Black and Red Pro I have coming.
White hood
- Thread starter Steelhead Slayer
- Start date
It will fit and the white hoods are the only ones that are paintable...
The standard Red or Black hoods are made of HDPE (not paintable).. The white hood is made from TPO (same material as the side panels).
The white hood costs more.
The standard Red or Black hoods are made of HDPE (not paintable).. The white hood is made from TPO (same material as the side panels).
The white hood costs more.
I have a white hood on my '11 Retro and thought about putting it on my PRO scoot. After watching my son and my buds driving within 100 feet of me and not able to spot my white side panelled sled and me with a white helmet, and then having to dig out by myself, I'm probably not going white on my '12. One item to consider on the painted hood is that the belt clip is kind of a pain and you need to be careful installing the belt when it's cold. The hood flexes plenty but the paint not so much.
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One of the mechanics at Tri-City in Springville UT has done his. Looks pretty good almost as good as my Dragon.
You might not be able to paint the Pro hoods, but you can hydro dip them and have a shinny white (or any color/pattern). I bet that wouldn't cost much as it would not need a lot of material.
Bug,
I was told by the Hydro Dip place that I use that it will work on HDPE panels but the adhesion will not be great... good for decorative pieces but not for panels that could encounter flexing or big temp changes.
I'm wondering if this is true...
Does anyone have personal experience with the Hydro Dipped on HDPE PRO Hoods?
I know that the Polaris Factory does not use the HDPE hoods, which cost less, for Their hydrodipped Carbon-fiber-look hoods... those are TPO. Probably for the adhesion reasons.
Ive seen some IQ side panels, also HDPE, that were hydro dipped... looked great at the shows but not so great after a couple of weeks of riding.
Rick makes a great point about the white color... I had my sled this same way last year and you had trouble finding it if you were looking for it in the snow.
I think my sled will be a bright color this year.
I was told by the Hydro Dip place that I use that it will work on HDPE panels but the adhesion will not be great... good for decorative pieces but not for panels that could encounter flexing or big temp changes.
I'm wondering if this is true...
Does anyone have personal experience with the Hydro Dipped on HDPE PRO Hoods?
I know that the Polaris Factory does not use the HDPE hoods, which cost less, for Their hydrodipped Carbon-fiber-look hoods... those are TPO. Probably for the adhesion reasons.
Ive seen some IQ side panels, also HDPE, that were hydro dipped... looked great at the shows but not so great after a couple of weeks of riding.
Rick makes a great point about the white color... I had my sled this same way last year and you had trouble finding it if you were looking for it in the snow.
I think my sled will be a bright color this year.
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S
Steelhead Slayer
Member
So just to clarify, the white TPO hood are not painted just plastic right?
S
Steelhead Slayer
Member
Are they painted white or just white plastic?
I repaired/painted my HDPE hood. Seems to be holding up great so far. If you prep the hood right, the paint should hold. I scuffed mine with a red scotchbrite (800 grit), then cleaned it with dupont 2320. Once you clean it with 2320 you need to wait 25 minutes to put any product on the hood. This will make it look dull, and not feel so slippery. After 25 minutes, you can spray the hood with dupont 2330 plastic adhesion promoter. After that dries, seal it with dupont sealer flexed with 2350. Allow it to flash, spray your basecoat on it, then clear it with a good high solids clear such as dupont 4700. This should also be flexed with dupont 2350. Mine has held up well, and has taken a beating already. Hope this helps 
Just like the side TPO side panels.
Good tips on the paint... Do you work in a body shop?
How costly are the products you have listed and what are the smallest containers they come in? What spray equipment do you need?
Good tips on the paint... Do you work in a body shop?
How costly are the products you have listed and what are the smallest containers they come in? What spray equipment do you need?
Yes, I do body work. If you were to buy a full container of the products listed, they would be fairly expensive (roughly $50 a piece) however. Most places that mix paint, or a large bodyshop will have some on hand if they do plastics. If you talk to them, they might just sell you a small amount. the cleaner just gets wiped on with a rag, and the adhesion promoter is ready to spray (no mixing required). The paint and clear is the only thing that will require mixing. 15oz Sprayable material will be more than enough to get the coverage you need, Same with the clear. I just fixed/painted both my side panels and my hood and the total cost was about $100 if that gives you any idea. You can get by doing it with a fairly small air compressor, and any half decent gravity feed spray gun. Hope this helps, if you have any more questions just ask. I would post some pics of mine if i knew how to.haha
O....and as far as spray equipment, all you need is a paint gun, and in-line air dryer, a mixing cup, stirring stick, and a strainer.
Thank you for the detailed description!
Did you do any scratch tests to test the adhesion in a concealed spot?
Did you do any scratch tests to test the adhesion in a concealed spot?
I guess I didn't actually try and scratch it, but nothing chipped off or peeled when i popped the air intake screens in or screwed the nut on for the key. I've ran it through some small trees, and rolled it over to get it out a time or so. Still looks like the day i did it. So far so good I guess. One other thing I have to add...It is critical that you ge tall the corners scuffed..this is where you will notice the most problems with adhesion. Since this plastic gets kind of "stringy" when sanded, if you notice any sand scratches in the base coat, just wait for it to flash, sand them lightly with 1500 grit sandpaper, clean the area with glass cleaner, and apply another coat. This will help you get all the sand scratches out. If you wipe the hood off with a tag rag after each coat of color, it will help you get a much cleaner paintjob as well.
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