Painting Xiaomi Scooter: A Complete Guide from Preparation to Finishing

Painting a Xiaomi scooter is not only a way to bring back the old device’s gloss, but also a chance to make it unique. Whether you want to mask scratches on the M365 frame, update the tarnished Pro 2 plastic, or just experiment with the design, the right painting technology guarantees a lasting result. However, poor preparation or inappropriate materials can lead to paint peeling in a month, metal corrosion or even damage to electronics.

In this article, we will look at all the steps from the choice of paint to finish polishing, take into account the features of different Xiaomi models (including 1S, Essential and Electric Scooter 4) and warn against typical errors. For example, did you know that an aluminum frame can not be painted without special soil? or that ordinary car enamel on plastic parts will crack in a couple of weeks? We tested 5 types of paints and 3 methods of preparation - share your results in the survey below!

What paint to choose for a Xiaomi scooter: a comparison of options

The choice of paint depends on the material of the part (aluminum, steel, plastic) and operating conditions. For example, for the frame Xiaomi M365 aluminum alloy 6061 suitable powder paint or specialized enamel for non-ferrous metals, but the usual acrylic paint in cans will peel off in 2-3 months.

• 🔹 Powder paint is the most durable option (service life 5)+ It's suitable for aluminum frames, resistant to shocks and UV rays.
• 🔹 Acrylic enamel in cans (like Motip or Kudo) is a budget option for self-painting. It fits well on plastic and metal with priming. Importantly, choose options marked "for aluminum" or "for plastic".
• 🔹 Car enamel (e.g. Dupli-Color) – suitable for metal parts, but requires careful surface preparation.
• 🔹 Vinyl film is an alternative to painting for those who want to quickly change color without the risk of damage. Suitable for smooth surfaces (wheels, wings.

For plastic parts (wings, footrests), make sure to use a primer for plastic - without it, the paint will peel off due to the difference in the thermal expansion coefficient. And for an aluminum frame, the best choice is zinc-soil enamel (for example, Zinc Rich Primer), which protects against corrosion.

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If you paint a scooter in a bright color (red, yellow, green), add 1-2 layers of colorless varnish over the paint - this will protect against burning out in the sun and give gloss.

* Aluminum requires a primer with zinc.

**Plastic Primer is required for plastic.

Preparation of the scooter for painting: disassembly and cleaning

70% of success depends on proper preparation, and neglecting this stage causes the paint to fall unevenly, to peel off quickly, or even to accelerate the corrosion of the metal.

1. Remove the battery is a must! Paint and solvents can damage the contacts. On Xiaomi M365/Pro 2 models, the battery is attached with 4 bolts under the cross screwdriver.
2. Disconnect the electronics: the controller, the wires to the motor and the display, seal the connectors with scotch to avoid dust.
3. Remove the wheels, wings, steering wheel (if you paint the frame). On the Xiaomi 1S and Essential, the steering wheel is removed after unscrewing the bolt under a 5mm hexagon.
4. Remove all stickers and logos – they can be pasted back or replaced with new ones.

Now, clean and degrease:

• 🧽 Wash the parts with warm water with car shampoo (such as Karcher) to remove dirt and fat.
• 🧴 Degrease the surface with solvent 646 or White Spirit. Never use acetone - it corrodes plastic and leaves slices on aluminum!
• 🧼 To remove rust (if any), use a zinkar rust converter or sandpaper P120.

Removed battery and electronics|Details washed and dried|The surface is defatted|Stickers and logos removed|Rust is processed (if any)-->

⚠️ Note: If you are painting Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 or other models with built-in lighting, seal LED-scotch-in 2-3 The paint can leak and spoil the diodes!

Grinding and primer: the secrets of a durable coating

Grinding is to make the paint better grips the surface. For an aluminum frame, use P240-P400 sandpaper, for plastic, P600-P800. The rule is: grind along the part, not in circular motions, to avoid visible scratches.

After grinding, apply the primer:

For aluminum: soil with zinc (for example, Body 960) in 1-2 layers.

For plastic: Plastic Primer (for example, from Motip).

For steel (bolts, fastenings): anti-corrosion soil Hammerite.

The soil is applied in a thin layer from a distance of 20-30 cm, each layer should dry for 15-20 minutes. After the last layer, polish the surface with P1000 Scotch Bright for perfect smoothness.

Painting technology: from the first layer to the finishing coating

Now to the most important stage. Here is a step-by-step instruction for spray painting (relevant to Xiaomi M365, Pro 2, 1S):

1. Temperature and humidity: paint indoors at +18-25°C and humidity not higher than 60%. Outdoor paint can lie uneven due to dust or wind.
2. First layer: apply the paint from 25 to 30 cm in fast, steady movements. Keep the spray perpendicular to the surface. The layer should be translucent - that's normal!
3. Interlayer drying: allow each layer to dry for 10-15 minutes. Use a construction dryer at minimum power (hold 50 cm away) to accelerate.
4. Number of layers: You need 3-4 layers to be uniform, and the last layer should be a little thicker than the previous layers.
5. Finish: 1-2 hours after the last coat of paint, apply colorless varnish (matted or glossy). Lacquer will protect the paint from chipping and give depth to the color.

For powder paint technology is different: the part is placed in a chamber, where under the action of an electrostatic field, the paint particles stick to the surface, and then "baked" in the oven at +180 ° C. This method is not available at home, but gives the strongest coating.

⚠️ WARNING: If you paint the Xiaomi Essential or other models with rubber bands on the steering wheel, paste them with paint tape or remove them before painting.The paint on the rubber does not hold and will wear off with each touch!

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Thin layers of paint dry faster and more evenly than one thick layer, which prevents drips and wrinkles on the surface.

Build and protect after painting: how to prolong the life of a new coating

After painting, allow the parts to dry for at least 24 hours (for acrylic paint) or 48 hours (for car enamel). Take your time to assemble the scooter - early assembly can damage the paint that has not yet hardened.

When assembled, follow the reverse order of disassembly:

1. Install the electronics and battery, check all the connectors.

2. fasten the steering wheel, wheels and wings (tighten the bolts with a force of 5-7 N·m, so as not to break the thread).

3. Check the brakes and lights.

To make the paint retain its original appearance longer:

In the first 2 weeks, avoid washing the scooter under a strong pressure of water.

For cleaning, use a soft sponge and car shampoo without abrasives.

Once a month, apply wax or polyrene to painted surfaces (such as Turtle Wax).

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If you have painted plastic wings, treat them with antistatics (such as Sonax) – this will reduce the adhesion of dust and dirt.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even the most experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes that spoil the results.

• 🔴 Painting without primer - the paint will detach after 1-2 months, especially on aluminum. Solution: always use soil suitable for the material.
• 🔴 Thick layers of paint lead to dripping and long-term drying. Solution: apply 3-4 thin layers with intermediate drying.
• 🔴 Painting in a dusty room - dust particles stick to the paint. Solution: paint in a clean garage or use a dust shield.
• 🔴 Using cheap paint, it burns out and cracks quickly. Solution: Choose from well-known brands (Motip, Dupli-Color, Kudo).
• 🔴 Failure to dry leads to a sticky surface. Solution: Watch temperature and humidity, use a dryer to speed up drying.

Another common problem is uneven color, which occurs when the spray is held too close or far from the surface, the optimal distance is 25-30 cm. Also make sure that the movements are smooth and cover the previous layer by 30-50%.

Alternative ways to update the appearance

If painting seems too complicated, consider alternative methods:

• 🎨 Vinyl film allows you to quickly change color without the risk of damage. It is suitable for smooth surfaces (wheels, wings.
• 🖌️ Water transfer printing is a technology for drawing drawing drawing on parts through water, suitable for complex shapes (for example, a footstep). ₽ detail.
• 🔧 Plastic parts replacement – on AliExpress or in Xiaomi service centers you can buy new wings, footrests or handles in different colors.
• 🎨 Airography for unique design (fire, camouflage, gradients) requires artistic skills or professional help. Cost: from 3000 ₽.

If you're choosing vinyl film, pay attention to the quality of the film. Cheap film can flake off at corners and bubble when heated (for example, if the scooter is in the sun for a long time), the best option is 3M film or Oracal film.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions