How do I paint my ATV or UTV parts?

This is a common question asked by ATV, UTV, and Side x Side owners in Canada and the United States. Customizing your ride can be a fun and rewarding hobby and it also allows people to express themselves through their vehicle. When it comes to changing the colour of your ATV, UTV, or Side x Side, painting is the most economical choice and it can become a fun project for all those DIY’ers out there.

How to Paint Plastic ATV Parts

To paint plastic ATV parts, you will need to remove the parts from your ATV, UTV, or Side x Side and make sure to use plastic-compatible paint. This type of paint is designed to adhere to plastic surfaces without cracking or peeling. Before painting, you should clean the plastic parts to remove any dirt or grime. It’s important to have clean plastic before you start. Follow the instructions given by the paint manufacturer. Some brands will recommend a light sanding to increase adhesion and most will require a primer before the paint. For the best results you’re going to want to apply several thin coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry completely before applying the next. Finally, you can finish the paint job by applying a clear coat over the paint to protect it from scratches and other damage. Allow the parts to dry completely before installing them back onto your machine.

How to Paint Metal ATV Parts

To paint metal ATV parts the process is not all that different. You will need to remove the parts from your ATV, UTV, or Side x Side and make sure to use metal-compatible paint. Before painting, make sure to clean the metal parts thoroughly with a degreaser to remove any dirt, grease, or grime. Starting with clean parts is important. Then, use sandpaper to rough up the surface of the metal making sure to remove all rust. This will help the primer and the paint adhere better. One the metal parts are clean and sanded, apply a coat of metal primer, always following the manufacturer’s instructions. After the primer has fully dried you can apply the paint, again following the manufacturer’s instructions. Allow the parts to dry completely before installing them back onto your machine.

Alternative to Painting

If painting is not your skill set or you just don’t have the time, there are other options. You can take your plastic parts to a vehicle wrapping company. Many ATV / UTV / Side x Side owners are getting their machine plastics wrapped no different from wrapping a car or truck. And your metal parts can be taken to your local powder coater. Powder coating is a type of coating that is applied to metal surfaces as a dry powder and then cured under heat creating a hard and durable finish.

Also check out our article on The Must-Have Accessories for Customizing Your ATV or UTV.

Replacing old parts with new replacement parts or upgraded parts is another option. For ATV parts in Canada, shop at L1FE Outdoors ATV. We’re your Everything ATV Online Store! We have ATV, UTV, and Side x Side parts in-stock and we also take special orders. Our staff is very knowledgeable and can help anyone searching for: ATV parts Canada, UTV parts Canada, Side x Side parts Canada, or anything else ATV, UTV, or side by side related.