I know there have been posts already about this..., but

well now im looking to do a few pieces on my dash to match the rest of it. Looking at painting the four vents on the sides, repainting the door handles and going over the center radio cover. My question is... how apt am im to ruining this. Cause if i do mess up.. i cant go back because i would have sanded this **** down. Speaking of that, how do i do the vents??? Its gonna be hard as hell to sand it, not to mention going over it lightly with the paint, and trying to resand it with the 2000 grit wet sand paper. What do you guys think?

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2002 Mustang GT
Mods: Aftermarket Tint, K&N. Air Silencer Removal, Painted Calipers, American Thunder Flowmaster Catback, Mach 1 chin spoiler.

I am about to start doing some more pieces myself, so far all i have is the door handle surrounds painted, will check it out

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98 xlt, dropped 3/5. 17in. CHROME Cobra wheels wrapped in 255/50/17, billet grille, dumped flowmaster 40 series, clear corners, euro tails, indiglo guages, TWEED Interior, painted interior, silver flame pinstripe, 5% Limo tint all around, K&N, Viper alarm, 60/40 to bucket conversion, 4.10 gears
SOLD 10/29/03!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2003 Dodge SRT4


Mopar Stage 1 | Mopar STS | BDJ's exhaust | HKS SSQ BOV | IPP CAI | ATP Upp | Autometer pillar pod with dual gauges | DC sports Strut bar | 9007 PIAA Extreme whites | Eurolite 893 Fog lights | Titan turn signals | Clear side markers | Intercooler Neon | Viper emblem | Exel Ennio wheels | MM inserts | Catch Can | Custom racing stripes |More to come.

the vents will not see much abuse so sanding will not be as much of an issue, they just have to be armoral or grease free. if you are hell bent on getting a smooth finish than ya, itll be a royal PITA. the only way to avoid messing up is to go reeaall sllooww. try starting on a friday night and shoot for being done sunday night, that should give you plenty of time to do the door handles radio trim and vents (depending on how much sanding you want to do) also what are you using to paint?? a spray can, airbrush?? if it is a spray can make sure you work in light coats (mist it on), that stuff runs easily. I like air brushes but it is a pain to mix the paints with the thinner all the time:thumbsup:

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93 ford ranger XLT (Naomi)

Women come and go but you can always rely on a truck
Colorado Springs

There are a couple of reasons you would want to sand first...

1. Is to get a smooth surface.

2. You would also sand if you have a glossy surface (rough or smooth) nothing likes to stick to glossy surfaces except primer. You sand to scuff up the surfance to help the primer adhere to the surface better, then the paint adheres to the primer.

So if you do not absolutely have to have a smooth surface do light coats of primer on the peices you will paint. Before you paint the I would wash the peices in soap, like a kitchen soap like Dawn to break through the grease from hands and what not. Then prime, let it dry, then paint.

I have never painted any interior plastic peices on cars but I would spray, dont brush. Brushing leaves stroke lines depending on the composition of the paint, some of it doesnt lay flat like it does when you spray.

Like JuBean said, watch out, spray paint is thin and when it gets out of the can it runs like none other. If you do mess up then you have nothing more to loose so try using a mild striper to strip off the paint, even if you do strip off some of the dash finish you can still try painting over it again. Also, since it is winter and I dont know the weather in Texas, dont paint if its colder than like 35-40 degrees, all the paint will do is crack and be a pain in the ass.

You probably already knew how to do it, but I am bored since I cant go out on Friday nights because I spent my money on mods tonight. :fordrules:

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1999 F-150 AirRaid, 4.10 gears, tint, superchip, see my gallery for more.

I have now done a little more and I like the results, I am ready to do the radio bezel but have been putting it off because I am not looking forward to sanding that rubber crap off.

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98 xlt, dropped 3/5. 17in. CHROME Cobra wheels wrapped in 255/50/17, billet grille, dumped flowmaster 40 series, clear corners, euro tails, indiglo guages, TWEED Interior, painted interior, silver flame pinstripe, 5% Limo tint all around, K&N, Viper alarm, 60/40 to bucket conversion, 4.10 gears
SOLD 10/29/03!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2003 Dodge SRT4


Mopar Stage 1 | Mopar STS | BDJ's exhaust | HKS SSQ BOV | IPP CAI | ATP Upp | Autometer pillar pod with dual gauges | DC sports Strut bar | 9007 PIAA Extreme whites | Eurolite 893 Fog lights | Titan turn signals | Clear side markers | Intercooler Neon | Viper emblem | Exel Ennio wheels | MM inserts | Catch Can | Custom racing stripes |More to come.

i know most people paint theres with spray paint because its easier, i work in a body shop, and have done my interior pieces in basecoat/clearcoat. if you have access to anybody that can do this for you, i highly recomend it, it will cost more, but it will be more durable, and look a lot better.:thumbsup:

yea, now that you mention it splash, that is better......

my trucks brother did it http://www.fordtruckworld.com/mygall...683&album=5418

went to a friend who painted, bought some wedgewood paint and had it sprayed then cleared. awesome.

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1999 F-150 AirRaid, 4.10 gears, tint, superchip, see my gallery for more.

Hey justin you are looking for the top vents and the right side vent? I have some extras if you want to purchase some. I can also get just about any piece that is needed. Just let me know that way you wont fuk anything up.

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2002 FX4 Automatic 5-Spd Black 4X4
K&N Intake, Dynomax Super Turbo Muffler, 4.10 gears, Throttle Cable Mod
Sound System:
Kenwood KDC-MPV619 Mp3/CD Deck, 500w Power Acoustic Amp, 1 Rockford Fosgate 12" Punch HE,
Pioneer door 6x8's :rocking: CB/PA System
Interior:
Red light theme-Almost every Light is red, those d@mn green lights. Black with Silver accents.
Exterior:
APC Carbon Fiber Euro Tails, Super White Bulbs all around, And some cool Stickers Maaannn. HaHaHaHa
Check Out Pics here:
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291166887

Whats up with the painting Justin....too busy to do it or what? You need to see mine in person and then you will want to do it

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98 xlt, dropped 3/5. 17in. CHROME Cobra wheels wrapped in 255/50/17, billet grille, dumped flowmaster 40 series, clear corners, euro tails, indiglo guages, TWEED Interior, painted interior, silver flame pinstripe, 5% Limo tint all around, K&N, Viper alarm, 60/40 to bucket conversion, 4.10 gears
SOLD 10/29/03!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2003 Dodge SRT4


Mopar Stage 1 | Mopar STS | BDJ's exhaust | HKS SSQ BOV | IPP CAI | ATP Upp | Autometer pillar pod with dual gauges | DC sports Strut bar | 9007 PIAA Extreme whites | Eurolite 893 Fog lights | Titan turn signals | Clear side markers | Intercooler Neon | Viper emblem | Exel Ennio wheels | MM inserts | Catch Can | Custom racing stripes |More to come.

haha, i called jas about 8 times this weekend asking most of these ??'s before i saw this thread... i'm going to be painting most of my interior (b/c i saw how badass it looked on jas's truck...) i'll try to post a how-to when i'm done... and btw waldo... the weather in texas NEVER drops below 110 degrees.... ever...
any of the members of the tx chapter will vouch for this....

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'98 Ranger XLT 2.5L 4cyl 4x2
3'' Pro comp suspension lift w/ pro comp ES9000 shocks, 31/1050r15 pro comp AT's, Python Alarm, Dual 40's series Flowmasters, KKM Cold Air Intake, JDM Black Euro Tails, Black Smittybilt Roll bar, housing 2 hella 500 driving lights, Pro Comp Push Bar w/ 6" Pro Comp Stainless 130w spotlights, Passport 8500 Radar Detector, Black Steelhorse Steps, 2 10'' Solobaric L710's, devouring 1750 watts, MTX door speakers, Panasonic head unit Sirius Satellite radio, lots of neon... etc...

http://home.mn.rr.com/t1camp1/Focus.swf

yea...i will seriously vouch for the base/clear coat idea....and for washing....if you want to make it really easy on yourself (if it will fit) run any plastics through a dishwasher...the saop degreases and cleans really well....as for a/c vents.....just wash (or degrease) prime and paint i sanded none of my interior stuff and all i did was prime and paint....easy as hell guys!!!

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2000 Ranger xlt - 4x4 off road package, K&N intake, flowmaster 40 series, cranked torsion bars, autometer dual pillar pod w/ gauges. Who knows what's next...sold and replaced with 99 Jeep Wrangler 4.0