what type of paint to use for a-pillar trim?

[willett]

hey guys while im welding up my interior i figure i s hould re-color all of my interior trim (a-pillar, kick pannel vent, doors etc.....)

what is the correct paint/dye to use on these puppies??

also;
the panal on top of my door (armrest when the window is down) is pretty scratched up and ratty. has anyone ever tryed to bondo / epoxy these guys smooth???

[BGRAFX]

I'm interested in the same thing I don't like how my truck is fire engine red with all maroon interior. I know that auto parts stores sell a duplicolor vinyl spray paint and so does LMCtruck but I haven't tried it yet.

[cochino12]

I've always used SEM dye, just make sure to clean it real good, clean it again then spray it.

[78 Big10 454]

I agree, SEM is the best. Follow Cochino's advice.

[Mr.Scary]

do you have 2 use adheshion promoter as well??

[cochino12]

Originally Posted by Mr.Scary

do you have 2 use adheshion promoter as well??

I've heard both yes and no, I'm not a big fan of the SEM adhesion promotor but I've heard that bulldog makes some good stuff and I think you can get it at walmart.

[78 Chevyrado]

I like SEM Brand. Yes you do have to use an adhesion promoter, pretty much no matter what you paint it with.

Here's how the SEM came out for me

All the texture details are just as good as new. Do not Sand any of your interior panels or you'll scrub off the texture and it'll look wierd.

[Jonboy]

When you are cleaning the interior panels, wash them with soap and warm water. Follw that up with wax and grease remover. Use one cloth wet, and dry that off to make sure that it does not leave any residue.

[truckfan]

subsribed. mine need it too.

[68Timber]

I thought the A-pillar trim was thin tin? Can't these be done the same as you'd prep and paint any other metal?

[Jonboy]

Originally Posted by BRUISER

I thought the A-pillar trim was thin tin? Can't these be done the same as you'd prep and paint any other metal?

Nope. They are plastic. The pieces that run above the windshield, back glass and doors are metal.

[68Timber]

Thanks JonBoy, good to know. My current Blazer has interior trim but I haven't torn into it yet. The "middle Blazer" I owned the longest was bare so it was about 18 years ago or so that I had a Blazer with the interior trim. I know the pieces around the half-cab are plastic but my fading memory told me the forward pieces were metal.

Good info! Thanks.

[slugish]

Originally Posted by Mr.Scary

do you have 2 use adheshion promoter as well??

Asked about adhesion promotor when Ibought my SEM from dealer .

Told me the paint had enough promotor in it already > just clean it good & you should be fine <

[78 Big10 454]

I've never had to use adhesion promoter with SEM. Just a good, thorough cleaning before applying anything.

[N2TRUX]

Wash, rinse, repeat, wash, rinse, repeat. The key to good adhesion is ensure it is thourghly clean.

I suggest you follow the manufacturers instructions. If the brand you use recommends adhesion promoter, USE IT.

Here is an article I wrote on the subject-LINK

[copperchevy]

Heres a trick, for excellent adhesion use a heat gun to warm up the panel and then spray the SEM paint. It makes the paint soak into the plastic just like a factory panel.

[Justins76]

The SEM website has some pdf instruction sheets for different types of materials it is being applied to. They have 2 different types of adhesion promoter for plastics, one for ABS type and another for PP. They also have their own brand of "soap" to wash with.

[Jonboy]

I washed them with soap and water to get the dirt off, and used DuPont 3812S to clean them. It is a slow drying enamel reducer. I applied that with a red scotchbrite to get into the grain without affecting it. Follow that with a wax and grease remover (one rag for application, another for removal to catch any residue).

It's kind of apples and oranges, but when I did the interior in my El Camino, I used Dupont dye in a spray gun. I wiped the parts with their plastic prep (mostly to eliminate static), then used an adhesion promoter, then the topcoat. I probably put 100K on that truck, and the dye never flaked or scratched. I used the dye in a spray gun because that is what I had; I think the SEM will work just as well, provided that the surface to be sprayed is prepped well and is clean. The prep is the key.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Jonboy

..... I think the SEM will work just as well, provided that the surface to be sprayed is prepped well and is clean. The prep is the key.

Very, very important advice there. Poor prep will ensure failure.

[willett]

thanks for the help guys i am going to try and get to this next week.

i guess now i have to pick a color...

do you guys think that it is possible do clean up the plastic underneath the windows?? or should i go all-out and replace the door panels?
keep in mind i'm on a bit of a budget here.

here you can see that the arm-rest is a different shade than the door panel. Should i try and match the darker or the lighter color??

top of door panel is pretty scuffed up from years of sleeve buttons and whatnot.

This is what it looks like above both doors. dye is worn through.

A-Pillar is actually pretty mint but if i do everything else i've got to do them too.

[willett]

hey guys.

i was pulling some trim to take down to the paint shop for color matching and i noticed that the trim right above the door is metal whereas the a-pillar trim is plastic.

will the SEM work on the metal interior trim as well?

[Jonboy]

Originally Posted by willett

hey guys.

i was pulling some trim to take down to the paint shop for color matching and i noticed that the trim right above the door is metal whereas the a-pillar trim is plastic.

will the SEM work on the metal interior trim as well?

Yes. prep it as you are with the other panels. You may want to scuff the finish with Scotchbrite or something similar first, to give it some tooth. You don't have to worry about sanding the texture out of the metal, but you don't need to go crazy with it, either.

[willett]

okay!
the color that i need is called wedgewood blue, and they don't make it anymore :|

so i ordered the last 3 cans that Lordco had.

i picked up a can of Pro Form wax and grease remover and some 600 grit sand paper.

i'm going to start cleaning everything up.

before i paint my door panels is there any way that i can fill the scratches on the top of my door panels??
i was thinking 2-part epoxy???

[Jonboy]

Don't use the sandpaper!!!! It will jack up the grain. Use scotchbrite, it will clean, but not sand out the texture.

I don't know how well using an epoxy to fix the tops of your door panels will work. I would be afraid of covering up the grain.

[bumslie75]

would epoxy resin work