prepping and painting plastics

hey guys. wheres adam, josh, and the other paint gurus? i want to start prepping my side covers and tail. basically the plastics on my bike. the tank will the same color, but ill get to that later/last.

heres the catch. on my right side cover the top left tab was hitting my subframe support. so i cut it off and will fiberglass a inch or 2 down the inside edge. i should be fine, since i have used fiberglass/resin on front ends of my 68 camaro, and have made many surf board repairs.

so for now i would like to like to prep the pieces. should i take all the paint off, or just lightly sand? start with 120, or 220 and work my way up to 1200 wet sand? also, there are a few low spots on the outside of the covers. should i use fiberglass, or just a little bondo and sand?

as you can see i have quit a few questions. any help is appreciated. thanks, joe

Click---> DT

Courtesy of your Moderator Tony---> Paint 101

I asked around about this too. some say adhesion promoter is necessary some say its not.
i emailed my putty supplier and they said no, so i put my spot repair putty right on the bare plastic. and my paint supplier said to put the primer right over it to.
1200 is way too fine. most guys say u cant see scratches from 400 the picky guys go to 600.
i just finished my base coat and clear today. no scratches showing. i used 400 wet.
as for strip or sand? i think it depends on whats on it and whats going on it. if the new doesnt like the old u will be stripping anyways.
i am no pro . this is my 1st paint job.
tomorrow i will add a silver base ct then texture the silver before it dries then candy red over that, then more clear. at least thats plan A lol.

Very Nice!!!!