Cosmetic work for the Cat - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

Juice · 05-16-2008, 10:24 AM

One of my summer projects is redoing the hood on my 97 ZRT. I'd like to repaint and purchase new decals for it. I won't be replacing all the decals as I'd like to give it a little more of a low profile look with more black than it has now. The hood is in good shape save the faded paint and clear coat. I've never attempted anything like this before and am looking for any suggestions you guys might have. My thought process thus far is this:

I will remove the hood from the machine, remove all decals, the windshield and headlight assemply. Yeah I know, not much so far. Now here is my dilema, I'm not sure exactly how to prep and what paints to use. Any thoughts? How does one prep a snowmobile hood for painting? Thanks in advance for any help!

Juice · 05-21-2008, 01:53 PM

Anyone? Wet sand it and paint? Not sure how to get the best results.

JheLrey · 05-21-2008, 11:00 PM

Sand it with a high end paper to rough it up, start to smooth it out by going finer yet, then treat with chemicals before you apply the primer, prime, wet sand a time or so, and paint away. The last thing is the clear coat or you can put the decals on and clear coat over that. They would be protected then.

Juice · 05-22-2008, 12:25 PM

Thanks for the help! Sounds like it won't be too difficult.

JheLrey · 05-22-2008, 09:09 PM

You can also search on the web how to paint a vehicle and it should give you better steps.

Ad's Cat · 05-24-2008, 11:01 AM

Just make sure you don't skimp on the prep work! Its aaalllllll in the prep work. Primer will hide very very minor problems, but not much. The paint hides nothing and once you clear it, any minor sratches or bumps will jump out at you.

I did all the prep for my hood but had someone else paint cause i have absolutley no artistic skills whatsoever

. I removed all the old stickers with a heat gun, and then the gum left behind with acetone. I started sanding with 400 grit wet. Probably could've started with a heavier grit cause it took a long time. Filled some screw holes with fibrglass body filler and finished with an 800 wet before i passed the hood off to my buddy. It was smoooooooooth!

I love the hood and how it came out, but i can definitely see where i could've done a better job sanding a few things out.

Good Luck and post some pics when its done.

Juice · 05-27-2008, 07:10 AM

That hood of yours came out awesome. Thanks for the tips, it'll be a summer long project as it gets bumped from time to time with the house projects. I'll post her up when finished. Thanks again!