Create a textured plastic effect on exterior trim

Guide to creating a textured plastic effect on exterior trim

Smooth or repaired trim can look out of place when the surrounding plastic has a factory style texture. Mipa coarse and fine texture sprays help recreate or add a structured plastic effect after the trim has been cleaned and keyed.

What do you need to create a textured plastic effect on exterior trim?

Cleaning and degreasing

Mipa silicone remover and Mipa silicone remover spray remove wax, grease and silicone before sanding, filling, primer or coating work starts.

Surface keying

MP Sanding Sponge prepares curved trim, corners and edges so the texture spray has a uniform surface to grip.

Fine texture spray

Mipa Fine Texture Spray creates a tighter plastic texture for subtle trim repairs and finer exterior details.

Coarse texture spray

Mipa coarse texture spray creates a stronger structured effect where the surrounding trim has a more pronounced texture.

How to create a textured plastic effect on exterior trim

1
Clean the trim

Remove wax, silicone and road film before sanding so contamination is not driven into the plastic.
2
Key the surface

Use the sanding sponge to prepare the trim evenly and keep the edge shape intact.
3
Choose the texture

Use fine texture for subtle grain and coarse texture for a more visible structure that matches heavier trim.
4
Apply controlled coats

Build the texture gradually with even spray passes and allow flash off between coats.
5
Evaluate before finishing

Check the texture from several angles before adding further coating or refitting the trim.

Which texture spray should you choose?

Fine texture

Fine texture is better when the surrounding plastic grain is subtle or the repair area is small.

Coarse texture

Coarse texture suits trim with a stronger factory grain or areas where sanding removed a noticeable structure.

Technical details

Mipa Strukturspray is designed for plastic parts where original texture has to be restored after repair or sanding.
The fine and coarse variants allow the repair texture to be matched more closely to the surrounding trim.
Texture spray should be applied in controlled coats because heavy application can make the grain look uneven.
Silicone remover and sanding are important preparation stages before texture is sprayed.

Practical suggestion

Make a small spray test on a separate surface before coating the trim, because spray distance and coat thickness change how fine or coarse the texture looks.