here's a question.If I wanted to paint some of the plastic pieces on my X what type of paint would work best,and what would go into prepping to paint?

Ahh, a painting question! There are several types of plastic on the X so, it makes a difference. I painted my plastic grill and wiper motor cover using just Krylon blue paint. First clean it well with wax/grease remover (you can get that at any auto parts store) and then some acetone. Scuff all the parts with fine sandpaper or a fine 3M pad. I prefer the 3M pad because it get around corners better. Apply several thin coats of paint, let it dry, and you are done. I really like Krylon for rattle cans. It doesn't run easily and overspray melts right into the paint. Rustoleum sucks.

Now for the real way to paint plastic, particularly softer plastic like the mud guards, it is more involved. Clean the plastic as before and warm in a oven for a half hour at 140 degrees, being careful not to melt the plastic. Clean again with acetone and allow to cool. Scuff the plastic as before with a 3M pad or sandpaper and spray on plastic adheasion primer. This is available at automotive paint stores, but you'll need a spray gun and compressor as it doesn't come in cans. After it drys to spec, you can spray on the paint. I have only done this with automotive color/clear coat paints. It works really well, but is a fair amount of work.

Awesome! Thank you.

Dagger-Why do you bake it?

I found paint in a can especially for plastics @ Home Depot. Seems to work fine as long as you prep like Scott said.

I picked a satin black, matches the Shrokworks stuff nicely.

cool thanks for the info & tips.

[quote][i]Originally posted by JOHNNYXB9[/i]
Dagger-Why do you bake it? [/quote]

Some plastics, particularly softer plastics, hold resins that leach out under the paint (note the gasing of plastic that collects on the inside of your windshield) and cause it to fail. Baking the plastic releases these resins to the surface so you can clean them off and get good adheasion.

Ah hah! Thats what I was thinking but wasn't sure. Thanks

Scott, wouldn't you only need to do that to new plastic parts?

Shouldn't older plastic bits be free of these gasses due to exposure to heat of summer?

[quote][i]Originally posted by JumboJim[/i]
Scott, wouldn't you only need to do that to new plastic parts?

Shouldn't older plastic bits be free of these gasses due to exposure to heat of summer? [/quote]

They might be and if you use rattle cans, they are easy to touch up, but, like your dash still gets that fog after it is older, they still have that stuff coming to the surface. Newer plastics do it much less and paint does adhear better to it. The extra step doesn't hurt.