Interior Painting, Another one Options

[thespacepanda]

Ok, I know that several threads have been started on this topic but I recently painted my interior plastics and what I have to say needs to be said. My information comes from consulting with several paint specialists as well as my personal experience with automotive painting. Here are the 2 things that need to be said:

1. You don't have to sand plastic
2. You don't have to primer plastic

Now that that's out of the way, I'll give a brief rundown of what I did. I apologize for not taking pictures, but you guys have seen the pieces disassembled many times before. Anyway, once the pieces are all taken apart so you just have the front plastic (and btw that pass vent is truly a pita, but it comes out) get a can of Grease/Wax Remover. I got a can at walmart for $3. Get a lint free cloth and soak it in that stuff (don't smell it) and start rubbing down your plastics with that stuff. Once you have rubbed it down pretty good, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe it down with a clean cloth to get the last bit of dirt off. If you don't start painting right away, keep them somewhere where they won't get dirty again.

Once that's done!

Get a can of Adhesion Promoter. Autozone has it, its a few bucks. Its designed to make paint stick to plastic. Get a very thin fog coat of that stuff on the plastic. Let it dry, do another coat. Do it very lightly, this stuff will run. My suggestion is just to spray about 3 feet above the plastic in a place with no wind. Let it dry (about 15 minutes).

Now for the paint. My suggestion for all of you is to get a can of paint that is specifically made for plastic. The reason for this is that plastic bends rather easily, especially when removing/reinstalling these pieces back into the dash. Paint that is not designed for plastic will not bend with the plastic and guess what, it'll crack. The paint made for plastic is flexible and will bend with the plastic (obviously don't test it). The paint I used is Krylon Fusion for plastics. They come in all colors (mine's electric blue) and they're about $5 a can. For the actual painting use the recommended painting techniques: steady sweeping strokes, 1st and 2nd coat very light, 3rd and 4th heavier, let it dry about 10 minutes between coats. Let this stuff dry for at least half an hour before moving to the last stage.

Finally, get a can of clear coat protectant. The kind I used is also the Krylon clear enamel. I used a matte finish because I didn't want glossy pieces, I just don't think it matches the interior. But they make a high gloss clear as well, so whatever you like. The protectant is going to dull the color of the paint a bit. So if the color is just right in your eyes before the clear coat, put a thicker coat on and make it a little 'too bright'.

I'll get pictures when I find the camera, but mine turned out really well. Hope this helps you guys.

[celicamike]

I'll be interested to see the final result.

[thespacepanda]

I'll get the pictures. Just gotta track down my brother's digital. I need it for this Saturday anyway.

[GriffGirl]

pix or it didn't happen

[thespacepanda]

OK! Back from almost dead, I finally got some pics (had to wake up before the sun went away), so here they are.







I lurv them.

This post has been edited by thespacepanda: Mar 4, 2008 - 5:08 PM

[D-Man]

Good job Panda! So when are we going to do mine!?

[thespacepanda]

Good job Panda! So when are we going to do mine!?

I gots the adhesion promoter and clear coat. All you need is a can of Fusion in the color you want.

[D-Man]

Good job Panda! So when are we going to do mine!?

I gots the adhesion promoter and clear coat. All you need is a can of Fusion in the color you want.

Two woots for panda; whos helping me this weekend! (i got the booze~ i can buy the paint )

[DEATH]

Yeah - I'll help. I got the paint booth and the backdrops.

[AzNbOiFrM9i6]

I'm thinking about doing this, Any idea which color would look nice? I have a white celica just like panda's

[D-Man]

Death; Panda, we're doin Orange for me, seeing as i'm painting the car Orange soon~

Plus; We need to spray my control panel lights greener; i'm geting neon's soon, and i'm doing Orange and black body, with Green lighting. Crazy cool. Well maby not for you all, but to me; i like putting my fav. colors together and F- what anyone else thinks, as long as i like it.

Besides, my chick is stuck with me, so i dont have to impress nobody but myself

*EDIT* Death, you just wanna get in on the booze

Just messin with ya~ imah be at your house on sat. anyway; i think technically, we'll have the booze first

This post has been edited by D-Man: Mar 4, 2008 - 9:28 PM

[thespacepanda]

I'm thinking about doing this, Any idea which color would look nice? I have a white celica just like panda's

I did blue because I'm doing blue accents everywhere. If you have a white car and you're not going for the accent color, white would look sweet. I love black and white together and it would make the interior pure sex.

[DEATH]

Badazzgt did his in Toyota white [he has a white 7th gen] and it came out beautiful. I always wanted to do mine but red is too much and I kinda like the all black.

D-man - normally I'd say you were right but I'm trying to not drink for a while - it's no fun anymore. Don't wanna give you the wrong idea - I'm not alcoholic or anything - just bored with it.

[D-Man]

Badazzgt did his in Toyota white [he has a white 7th gen] and it came out beautiful. I always wanted to do mine but red is too much and I kinda like the all black.

D-man - normally I'd say you were right but I'm trying to not drink for a while - it's no fun anymore. Don't wanna give you the wrong idea - I'm not alcoholic or anything - just bored with it.

Well to each their own, but i'm drinkin You can if you wanna, but if not then there's more for me

I'm not bored with it, so... yeah!

Kidding, i'm a social drinker... unless im by myself, then i'm a solo-drinker

Panda; Blue goes with what your doing, and what you want. It makes perfect for you. We all got to do our own thing and have our own colors.

Death; Red is bad-@ss in your ride, i couldn't (and would rather not try to) imagine it any other way!! It fits, it works it's good.

*EDIT* "alcoholics goto meetings, drunks goto bars; i'd rather be a drunk; because if i was an alcohol, then a drunk might drink me" Words of wisdom; from my drunk neighbor

isnt that a great quote?

This post has been edited by D-Man: Mar 4, 2008 - 10:47 PM

[thespacepanda]

You're drunk right now, aren't you.

[DEATH]

You're drunk right now, aren't you.

def

[toyocelic]

i think you should attempt to do the E-brake..that will put the cherry on top// or the nipple of The E-brake//(BLUE)


good job..

This post has been edited by toyocelic: Mar 4, 2008 - 11:00 PM

[D-Man]

You're drunk right now, aren't you.

def

how did ya'll know? BRB, need another...

okay, what were we talking about agin, oh thats right, Force Induced Beer Bongs...(no schett, i have a theroy right, proper fuel/air mixture and everything, i got numbers... )

[thespacepanda]

You're drunk right now, aren't you.

def

how did ya'll know? BRB, need another...

okay, what were we talking about agin, oh thats right, Force Induced Beer Bongs...(no schett, i have a theroy right, proper fuel/air mixture and everything, i got numbers... )

Oh.

My god.

He's crossed over.

[forkee]

wow looks good...i almost thought it was a picture of mine haha

jacker!! j/k