I've seen others paint their dashes silver and the like (to look like a dash kit), and I was thinking that a high gloss black (as if the dash pieces looked like the exterior of my Super Black max) would look really fantastic in my black interior. So, I think I'm going to take my dash apart and paint the pieces.

I'm looking for a paint that's almost a sort of enamel, if that makes any sense. A black, thick, hard, durable, glossy coating is what I want. What paint(s) (or substance, if it's not paint) could I use on the plastic dash pieces that would be:

• VERY high gloss
• Relatively inexpensive
• Scratch/chip resistant

What would be the appropriate process (number of coats, drying time, etc.)?

 

Anyone?

 

do you realize that you will get a nasty reflection on your windshield?

 

What Nick said........

 

Honestly, I'm really not sure what you mean.

I'm NOT planning on painting the whole dash of the vehicle; I'm just talking about painting the plastic piecies in the center console, around the steering wheel, around the A/C vents, and around the window controls. So, how would the "reflection" on the windshield be any worse than a standard carbon fiber or aluminium dash kits?

I just don't think it'd be an issue -- I've sat inside a Z8, which has high gloss dash pieces painted body-colored, and there was no reflectivity problem.

 

To get it like the exterior, you would have to wet sand off the texture. A coat of primer and then shoot it with paint. It will be glossy, but it won't be as flexible as before.

 

Would the inflexibility pose any sort of problem or make the pieces especially prone to breaking? I don't want to do anything that would make it a pain to take off the pieces if need be.

Also, what kind of paint should I use (brand, type, etc.)?

Oh, and just by the way, your car is absolutely GORGEOUS. Honestly, the exterior is perfect. Wanna trade?

 

Yeah, I was about to comment that I doubt he wanted to paint the whole dash glossy black.

About making the pieces less flexible...I doubt you'll have a problem. You'll probably have to spray a primer, a few nice even black coats, and a few clear coats. I think that's some good protection if you're looking to avoid scratcing & chipping.

But let me try to convince you NOT to paint your dash...first, is your dash in good condition? Meaning does it still retain its matte finish, have few scratches, etc? If yes, I'm hoping that you will change your mind to just keep it that way.

Making the dash pieces shiny will make it look a bit cheap, worn out, and out of place. We have a used Maxima, auto, and its dash pieces area already pretty shiny, due to overuse from the previous owner. Comparing that to my new 5-speed's dash, it doesn't look too attractive.

But if you really want to go through with this project, do it! Maybe I could be wrong and your dash could look great. (I'm just wondering if you could really making the black as glossy as the exterior of a car.)

 

I would just leave everything alone.

 

You guys may be right -- it could look like total crap. Something I've thought of, believe me. I just think that if it turns out well, it'd be really great looking. If it doesn't turn out, so be it -- I'll buy some more dash pieces from a junked car.

Any other thoughts about a good procedure, guys?

 

what are you trying to achieve here??

Ant

 

Imagine a carbon fiber dash kit, only it's not carbon fiber -- it's just a shiny black that looks EXACTLY like the exterior paint of the car. For example, look at this Z8 interior:

Notice how the dash perfectly matches the silver exterior paint. That's what I'm going for.

 

what you can do..

if you just have flat black matte dash you can get spray vinyl/plastic dye and dye all the pieces black, takes about 15 minutes to dry up nice and then you can get some glossy black paint and use about 3-5 light coats and then use high gloss clear coat 3-5 coats as well.

the dye will act as a primer, and then the paint will be able to flex on it.. good luck.. it still wont be as flashy as a chrome dash kit, so hopefully they will flame you less..

 

1 dumb question: how exactly do you wetsand? do you just use wet sandpaper or what?

 

believe so

 

The idea behind wet sanding is to use water to carry away the particles so that they don't scratch the surface. It's best to have a continuously running water source.

 

I thought you meant the dash.

 

i painted my center console silver and its very glossy (you can see reflections in it) i found the best way to do this is....

1. take some 320 grit sand paper and ruff up the surface to the paint will stick to it.

2. shoot on some Duplicolor sandable primer (i did 3-4 coats)

3. wetsand the primer with 400 grit--wetsanding is basically holding the piece underneath running water (like a sink) and sanding away the imperfections in the paint and making it smooth) after you've done this make sure you let it dry throroughly for at least a couple hours.

4. shoot about 4-5 coats of paint (i like Duplicolor because they use a fan nozzle) let dry overnight

5. wetsand the paint. let dry for an hour or two.

6. put 3-4 coats of clear coat on

7. let dry!




All the materials you will need can be found at any local auto parts store.

 

Thanks, man! EXACTLY what I wanted to know.

 

Just installed a realy nice wood dash...and I love it!!! It's wicked (Maine slang)..dark, and makes it really smooth lookin inside. I have a 4th gen. and the stock is just a faded black plastic..(boring IMO)..

 

i did that with my last car for show and such, personaly id go to a junk yard and buy the interor pieces off a wrecked max if you could find one and then do it instead of ruining the pieces you already have that way if you dont like it you could put yours back in

 

no prob