Prep
Crescent City Color — Step-by-step guide

[ PLASTIC ]

Follow the order from top to bottom. Don't skip steps. Every step has a wait time — respect it and the paint will stick properly and last.

Key idea: on plastic, Step 1 and Step 2 matter most. If you clean poorly or skip the adhesion promoter / plastic primer, the paint can peel off.

Hands cleaning a black plastic bumper cover with a gray scuff pad and spray cleaner
1

Clean & Degrease Prep

Use a scuff pad with abrasive cleaner over the whole part.

  • Scuff the entire surface — don't leave any shiny spots un-scuffed.
  • Remove all wax, grease, and dirt.
  • Clean the edges and corners well — that's where paint peels first.
⚠️ If any wax or dirt is left behind, the paint will not stick. Don't rush this step.
Painter wearing gloves and a respirator spraying adhesion promoter onto a plastic bumper
2

Primer Choose ONE option

Don't use both. Pick Option A or Option B, depending on the product you have:

Option A

Adhesion Promoter

Apply it over the clean plastic. It helps the paint grip onto the plastic.

⏱ Wait 20 minutes

After the 20 minutes, go to Step 3.

OR
Option B

Plastic Primer

Apply it over the clean plastic, following the product's coats.

🔺 Sand with 400–600 grit

Sand smooth and even before moving to Step 3.

Gloved hands sanding a primed plastic part with a sanding block
3

Sand & Decide Sealing, or straight to paint?

This is where the path splits in two. Pick just one:

PATH 1  If you're going to seal

  1. Sand with 320 grit.
  2. Spray 1 medium coat of sealer.
  3. Wait 30 minutes.
  4. Go straight to paint — you have no more than 2 hours. Don't wait longer.

PATH 2  Straight to paint

  1. Sand with 400–600 grit.
  2. Wipe off the dust and clean the surface.
  3. You're ready — go to Step 4 and paint.
Painter in a spray booth applying paint with a spray gun onto a plastic bumper
4

Paint Color

Apply medium wet coats until coverage is achieved. Normally that's 2–3 coats.

2–3coats for coverage
5–10 minbetween coats
30 min – 12 hrsafter paint, before clear
  • Don't load it all on in one coat — 2–3 even coats are better.
  • Between coats, wait 5–10 minutes.
5

Clear Clear coat

Clear gives you the gloss and protects the paint.

5–10 minbetween coats of clear
24–48 hrslet it sit before buffing
Don't buff early!wait the full time
  • Between each coat of clear, wait 5–10 minutes.
  • When you're done, let the part sit 24–48 hours before buffing.

🔫 Gun Setup — Pressure & Tip Size

Check your pressure and tip size before you start. The wrong setup ruins the finish.

Pressure — Paint / Primer20–25 psi
Pressure — Clear25–30 psi
Tip Size — Paint & Clear1.3 / 1.4
Tip Size — Priming1.4–2.0

Quick summary — all the times