Topic

Hi all, this is my first 'how to' so go easy on me...

I recently swapped my windscreen trim from cream to black that I got from eBay. After attempting to sell the old cream and having no luck I decided to paint it to make a 'how to' for the forum.

Firstly: To do this job or mod , you will need:

1. Paint - Plastic primer & colour of choice (In this case black)
2. Sand paper
3. Panel wipe (Wax & grease remover)
4. News paper, work bench and vented area
5. A weekend
6. Hair dryer (Optional) - Advised on cold day like today

When doing any paint work preparation is the key. Firstly you will give the trim a 'key' with the sand paper, scuffing up the plastic so the primer has something to stick to. I used very fine paper for this due to not wanting to damage the pattern already on the trim.



After this is done, use the panel wipe to clean any of the parts before applying the primer.



Once the trim is all clean this is where your partner's/mother's hair dryer comes in handy. First heat up the primer can while shaking for around 2 minutes. You do this so the paint sprays more evenly.



Then go wild... Not really, (Dad would not be happy with paint on his golf clubs) spray the paint evenly and at the distance specified on the back of the can (Usually 30cm's away from the trim). Give the trim 3 even light coats until the full part is primed leaving 15 minutes between each coat. (Make sure the coats are light if you want to keep the trim pattern.



After your trim is primed I recommend leaving over night indoors or in the airing cupboard so it is completely dry. In the morning head back into the garage and give the trim another sand with the fine paper to now give the primer a key for the colour paint. Of course after you have sanded don't forget your panel wipe again to clean the trim,

Now your ready to paint away, once again give 3 light even coats or more if needed leaving 15 minutes between each coat. Of course heating and shaking your can again also. Once complete put trim indoors to properly dry and presto!.. Your trim is looking better already .





You have gone from this...



(PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR OTHER HALF OF HOW TO)

To this...





Top tips:

Always use panel wipe (Allows the paint to settle much better)
Return the borrowed hair dryer (Paint free)
Lacquer can be applied but that makes the paint shiny and gives it a 'Fast and Furious' look in my opinion but whatever tickles your pickle.

Finally, apologies for rubbish iPhone photo's.

Thanks for reading!

Great job Haydn. Thanks for showing us how. Added to the bling mods section for future reference.

Thanks Haydn...tried painting stuff before, but not with good results
Will try again with your tips, as you mention a few things which I didn't do... panel wipes, warm the can etc etc

This is a cracking how to well done !

birks wrote: wrote:

Thanks Haydn...tried painting stuff before, but not with good results
Will try again with your tips, as you mention a few things which I didn't do... panel wipes, warm the can etc etc

Yeah, painting isn't something that you can do a quick job with, you have to put the effort in but once you get the hang of it, its easy! I must admit I've had some terrible paint jobs in the past when I was practicing... Just trial and error really!

But thanks everyone for the comments, makes me more confident to make more 'how tos'.

Excellent job

Never knew about the heating the paint trick but it makes sense when you think about it - top tip

I was taught to put the cans of paint into hot water. Make sure they stay stood up and don't submerge them.. ABout 3/4 up the can works... Pop them back in between coats and your paint flows much better. Just be careful to dry the can off before painting, water drops on your paintjob will make you swear and ruin it...
Also, use the hairdryer to heat the plastic part up and to dry the paint between coats.

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