|
Thermo -> RE: Painting Interior Trim pieces (5/23/2008 5:34:48 PM)
|
Grim, if you are painting interior pieces, you need to keep two things high on your priority list. The first is using what is called adhesion promoter. This provides 2 different functions. The first being a binding agent between the slick plastic surface and the paint attempting to adhere to it. Some people recommend sanding the plastic with 400 grit sand paper to roughen up the surface. The second thing the adhesion promotor does is allow the paint to "float" above the plastic and to allow the paint to remain still as the plastic flexes. This prevents the paint from cracking except under extreme flexing.
The second item on the priority list is using a few layers of clear. I painted pieces inside of my truck 5 years ago and they still look like they were painted yesterday. Making sure that you find a hard clear is also key. You can attempt to "bake" the paint a little bit by painting the piece(s) and then once the paint is dry enough to handle, to put it inside of the oven at about 150-170F for about 30 minutes. This will force the paint to set deep into the clear, making it the hardest that it will be. This will ensure that the clear will last as long as possible. By applying a few coats of clear, any wear that happens will have to travel that much further to get to the color layer.
If you have more questions, just ask. I'm doing some painting on my X-type right now for pieces under the hood.
Chris "Thermo" Coleman
|
|
|
|
