Painting old vinyl/plastic seats

[Wildcat]

I've used acrylic paint, the kind you get at craft stores in the small bottles, to paint my seats. The paint stays flexible and holds up well. I usually give it 3 or 4 thin coats, 30 minutes between coats, then wax the seat with car wax after it has dried well. The seat doesn't get slippery with the wax, it just gives it a shiny appearance. I buy this paint at walmart in the crafts section along with the cheap foam brushes. Here are some that I have done:

The left seat was white, the one on the right was black.

My crash rail seat from a 64 starlet, before and after.

This seat was originally burgundy.

This seat was originally blue and white.

 

[Tommy Atoms]

Man I cant believe how awesome that looks. How well does it hold up for say a daily rider?

 

[Wildcat]

It hold up well. I've put about 100 miles on my Schwinn since I painted it and it still shines. One seat was scratched during our move, but I touched it up and you can't tell the difference.

 

[Galtbacken]

Great tip, thanks!! I think it will come in handy!

 

[Tommy Atoms]

I really want to try this! Is there anything you put on the vinyl to prep it? I have used armor all which is a vinyl/rubber protectant on my seats and im sure paint will not adhere well to it so I will have to clean it with something. Any suggestions?

 

[Wildcat]

I just scrubbed them with soap and water, but they usually just had years of dirt on them. I think armorall permeates, it sinks in, so maybe a degreaser, like used on pots and pans might get it off.

 

[bikeriderx]

Rubbing alcohol is a good, mild degreaser/solvent...

 

[stretch]

dont use any kind of paint thinner, even shellac thinner, as it breaks down the vinyl. if you scrub it a bit, you can see the color of the seat on the rag. :shock:

 

[subadrew]

this method still the best method? I got a seat that needs some coloring...

 

[XC204]

Drew the auto stores also have vinyl uppolstery spray paint/dye that sticks well.

 

[Wildcat]

I also did the seat and handlegrips on last year's build off bike with the same kind of paint:

 

[Wildcat]

Here's that same same seat, painted black now:

 

[Firewalker]

very cool!

 

[Voyager Al]

i scrub my seats with Purple Power, let dry and spray with any enamel . Holds up great..