Painting rubber snow flaps

General topics related to John Deere Snowmobiles
User avatar
eppjd
Posts: 252
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2005 1:00 am
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Painting rubber snow flaps

Post by eppjd »

Any tips on painting the repop snowflaps that Joe Wanie had made up, the Deere and the outline around it?

:winter:

Ps I apologize for the error
Last edited by eppjd on Wed Jan 16, 2013 8:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Adam Epp
Winnipeg, MB, Canada

74 400 (2 - sold)
75 800 (motor in pieces, next on the resto list)
75 X4 Special (bare tunnel, stripped)
76 340 Cyclone (resto in progress)
76 340 Cyclone (bare tunnel, stripped)
User avatar
400brian
Posts: 5612
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: James T. Kirk
Location: South Central Wisconsin

Re: Painting rubber snow flaps

Post by 400brian »

Not to nit pick...but, I think you have to give the credit for those to Joe Wanie.

'09 Vintage Challenge Survivor, and I wasn't late for supper!
'10, '11, '12, '13,'14,'15,'16,'17, '18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Vintage Challenge Survivor !
72 400 restored, Father bought new in '71
73 X8 restored
'74 340 green machine
'74 X8 9 time VC finisher
'78 Spitfire in progress
2 '75 340S 1 running, one on deck
'78 LF 440 future CC clone
'73 Skiroule RTX 440, 500 mi.
User avatar
Sprailfire340
Posts: 925
Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 12:00 am
Location: Rockford, MN

Re: Painting rubber snow flaps

Post by Sprailfire340 »

:sled: ME
User avatar
TOYMECH
Posts: 317
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: Greg
Location: Ontario Canada

Re: Painting rubber snow flaps

Post by TOYMECH »

I would think a good thing to do would be to scuff the surface with fine Scotchbrite to promote adhesion and clean it with prep solvent and prevent paint rejection.
I wonder if 1 Shot sign painter's paint would work well. I have heard it adheres well to a lot of different surfaces and is durable. The only thing is that any paint used would need a flex agent. I think that the same guidelines used to paint urethane automotive components would apply and work...

http://www.1shot.com/
1981 Trailfire 440 (Original Owner)
1980 Liquifire
1981 Sportfire
1983 Sprintfire
1982 Snowfire
1978 CC Liquifire
1979 340 Trailfire
1982 Trailfire Special
User avatar
JDMIKE8100
Posts: 133
Joined: Wed Jun 09, 2010 9:48 pm
Location: Maryhill,Ontario,Canada

Re: Painting rubber snow flaps

Post by JDMIKE8100 »

I have used Markal paint markers and have had good results.
You can do it by hand,no taping ,no bleeding problems.
You may need 2-3 coats,dries quickly.
User avatar
eppjd
Posts: 252
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2005 1:00 am
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Re: Painting rubber snow flaps

Post by eppjd »

Thanks all, I'm going to try scotch brite and a paint marker. I will post my results...
Adam Epp
Winnipeg, MB, Canada

74 400 (2 - sold)
75 800 (motor in pieces, next on the resto list)
75 X4 Special (bare tunnel, stripped)
76 340 Cyclone (resto in progress)
76 340 Cyclone (bare tunnel, stripped)
User avatar
jdsledsrgr8
Posts: 243
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2009 10:00 pm
Real Name: Matt Gabler
Location: Mt. Horeb WI

Re: Painting rubber snow flaps

Post by jdsledsrgr8 »

I sanded the letters pretty good but not too much. I then took a real tough thick yellow paint that we painted axe handles to prevent splitting and cracking when I did do not hit the log square. Then to finish it off, I painted a clear coat on the yellow letters. So far it has held up very well even when I spray tire foam on it to make the rubber shine.
Mt. Horeb WI
1976 Liquidator
1976 Liquidator Clone
1978 Liquifire 440
User avatar
Horicon Joe
Posts: 1091
Joined: Mon Jul 18, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: Joe Wanie
Location: ROLLING PRAIRIE WI

Re: Painting rubber snow flaps

Post by Horicon Joe »

Keep the info coming guys ..... I am listening and taking notes. I started out with a rubberized paint. I prepared the surface like you are talking
about. They need to be cleaned to make sure no mold release is present. I have custom stencils made out of stainless steel to mask the rest of the flap.
I then put on 4 thin coats of paint with a small foam roller. Results turned out beautiful and you could bend the flap in half with no problems except for one thing.
When they are used in cold weather the paint cracked. You guys using the paint marker ..... have you used them in the cold? What are the results?

The factory in Canada "Hot Stamped" them originally. I experimented with the process but failed. Anyone that might have more info on this process please
contact me.

Joe
Please add your Real Name in your User Profile or at least your first Name!
User avatar
JDMIKE8100
Posts: 133
Joined: Wed Jun 09, 2010 9:48 pm
Location: Maryhill,Ontario,Canada

Re: Painting rubber snow flaps

Post by JDMIKE8100 »

I have restored 2 Original flaps.
No cracking issues.Even if there were,it is very easy to touch it up with the marker.
Maybe for show quality/factory look spraying them maybe better.
The older flaps likely absorb the paint better.
User avatar
Horicon Joe
Posts: 1091
Joined: Mon Jul 18, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: Joe Wanie
Location: ROLLING PRAIRIE WI

Re: Painting rubber snow flaps

Post by Horicon Joe »

I will try a new one with the paint marker and put it in the freezer to see what happens.
Please add your Real Name in your User Profile or at least your first Name!
User avatar
jdsledsrgr8
Posts: 243
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2009 10:00 pm
Real Name: Matt Gabler
Location: Mt. Horeb WI

Re: Painting rubber snow flaps

Post by jdsledsrgr8 »

I will know more as I get my sled outside.

Certainly on the paint markers, putting the test flaps outside Monday and Tuesday should be a good test.
Mt. Horeb WI
1976 Liquidator
1976 Liquidator Clone
1978 Liquifire 440
User avatar
eppjd
Posts: 252
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2005 1:00 am
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Re: Painting rubber snow flaps

Post by eppjd »

I had no luck with the paint marker, cracks when I bend the flap.
Adam Epp
Winnipeg, MB, Canada

74 400 (2 - sold)
75 800 (motor in pieces, next on the resto list)
75 X4 Special (bare tunnel, stripped)
76 340 Cyclone (resto in progress)
76 340 Cyclone (bare tunnel, stripped)
User avatar
eppjd
Posts: 252
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2005 1:00 am
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Re: Painting rubber snow flaps

Post by eppjd »

Newest attempt at painting my snowflap. Masked the majority with tinfoil, melted candle wax in, and spray painted (multiple THIN coats). I think it turned out not bad, hope this method doesn't crack...
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1372971381.439650.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1372971396.826532.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1372971411.147626.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1372971420.892438.jpg
Adam Epp
Winnipeg, MB, Canada

74 400 (2 - sold)
75 800 (motor in pieces, next on the resto list)
75 X4 Special (bare tunnel, stripped)
76 340 Cyclone (resto in progress)
76 340 Cyclone (bare tunnel, stripped)
User avatar
eppjd
Posts: 252
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2005 1:00 am
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Re: Painting rubber snow flaps

Post by eppjd »

FYI, if anyone else tries this, it will be inevitable you will get wax or wax residue on the areas you need the paint to stick. I used a commercial wax remover on a q-tip to remedy this. Works for ears too...
Adam Epp
Winnipeg, MB, Canada

74 400 (2 - sold)
75 800 (motor in pieces, next on the resto list)
75 X4 Special (bare tunnel, stripped)
76 340 Cyclone (resto in progress)
76 340 Cyclone (bare tunnel, stripped)
S_Kyle
Posts: 1351
Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2007 1:00 am
Real Name: Scott Kyle
Location: Roland Manitoba

Re: Painting rubber snow flaps

Post by S_Kyle »

eppjd wrote:FYI, if anyone else tries this, it will be inevitable you will get wax or wax residue on the areas you need the paint to stick. I used a commercial wax remover on a q-tip to remedy this. Works for ears too...

Adam, I wouldn't put the stuff in your ears. You really should of read the MSDS before you left :bonk:
Scott Kyle,
Liquifire: 77 (440) (2), 600: 73,74,75
Massey Whirlwind: 76 440 (2)
Mercury Hurricane 644: 72,73
OMC Snowcruiser: 66,68,70
Rupp: 70 34 Sprint
Allouettte Super Brute: 74 (5)
OTC Deere sled dyno
Post Reply