what kind of paint would/did you use to paint your interior trim pieces (like around the air vent, the center console plastic surrounding the shift knob and cd player, etc.) would you just use spray paint, or something a bit more complex?

i really like to use testors model paint.(spray)
since its made for models, its sticks REALLY well to the interior plastics.
i normally use 2-3 coats of primer, 3-4 color, and a bunch of coats of clear.

manny,

what type of store sells that kind of paint?

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I assume it'd be a hobby shop.

thanks manny, I'll keep that in mind. still looking for other opinions though. also, I have access to an air brush, think that'd work better than using spray cans?

oo wow that looks really good. i might do that since im considering changing interior colors.

walmart also carries testors.
any decent hobby shop will have tons of colors to choose from...even walmarts selection is pretty good.

an airbrush would also work, just a matter of using a paint that will adhere well to the plastic.

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do you let it dry inbetween coats? or just throw it all on at once?

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i let the paint "flash" in between coats, usually about 5-10minutes. i let each step dry fully before going to the next. (primer/ color/ clear)

thanks manny,

i figured someone would say hobby shop but there are none around here that i know of, but i will definatly hit up wally-world.

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NP man, thats what we're all here for.

Manny, do you do any sanding before painting? Also what kind of primer do you use? and clear?

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ohh yea...LOTS of sanding..
heres a pic of a radio trim surround im just starting to prep for paint.
this is my first sanding step with 220 grit wet/dry paper (used dry)

ill continue up from there to 1500, and start wet sanding @ ~800 grit or whatever
heres a close up of step 1 (220 grit) gives you an idea of how much sanding is involved to get it smooth, this is prolly 1/2 or more...still prolly another 15-20min before i move up.

ill add more pics this weekend, i need to go get more sandpaper.
once im all done with the prep,
its all testors 3oz. cans..grey primer, color, and high gloss clear
i LIGHTLY wet sand the last couple coats of color, with 2000 grit paper, then throw on 2 or so coats of clear, then again lightly wet sand that in between 2 more coats, with the 2000 paper.
its important to make sure all the paint is FULLY dry before you do any kinda wet sanding.

I know this may sound like a really dumb question, but hey I have to ask it.

Could you please explain wet sanding to me, what exactly is it and how do you do it?

wet sanding just involves keeping the sandpaper wet using lots of water while sanding to help keep the paper from clogging up, and helps smooth the surface

so do you just wet it with a spray bottole or something like that?

can, or just get a cup of water and dunk the paper or poar the water over the part, anything to just keep it wet. but if you have a good spray bottle that would work pretty good.

thoes parts look very good, very smooth.. I helped a friend paint some parts on his dash, we used that FUSION plastic paint without any sanding (parts were not really sandable due to shape) anyway it worked pretty good, anyone else ever try the FUSION paint.

This post has been edited by creis: Jul 13, 2006 - 2:56 PM

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yup, ive read at least one other person who used the fusion line with good results..
i just prefer the testors cause of the much bigger selection.

Thanks for the answer on wet sanding. I figured it was something like that, but thought I better ask the question and feel dumb only once!

I really need to do this lol, it looks so good.