Who here has painted their dash trim? I don't want to pay 200 dollars for one. That will be one of my later mods, but until then I will paint it using the write up in the 4th Gen Mod FAQs... But I want to see some pictures or silver/chrome... The only thing that is stopping me from painting it chrome is the glare and fingerprints...

Any opinions?

 

I painted mine last Friday...



Wasn't too hard at all...just have to be careful with the clips holding everything on.

 

What type of paint did you use? Also were there any spots where the paint ran?

 

I used some spray paint I bought from Home Depot. Metallic Silver finish. And then topped it off with some clearcoat spraypaint too.

None of the spraypaint 'ran'...when you are painting it you need to use a sweeping motion to avoid paint build-up on any one spot. Doing this will also prevent running. It is also important to do more than 1 coat. I think I did 3 coats with the Metallic Silver and 2 coats of the ClearCoat. Take your time. I think it took 2 full hours for removal/prepping/painting/drying/reinstallation.

(I'll give credit to JNCoRacer and Darrick in DNE for spraypaint tips...they know what they're doing)

 

Would priming make a difference?

 

Primer could definitely be used if you think the spraypaint won't adhere to the surface as well. I didn't have any problems with mine.
*shrug*

 

did you take the whole dash off? how did you paint the side air vents trim?

 

Everything attached to the dash is attached with clips...except for taking the radio portion out which is held in by screws. (and the gauge cluster 'window portion' is held in by 2 screws at the top)

The 'ring' around the side air vents have 2 clips on each side...(left and right side)

 

Anyone with a chrome trim does it blind you now and then? Thats all I need is to run off the road...

 

lol...I would like to see chrome as well but in my opinion it would seem way too shiny. Even my metallic silver shines bright in the sun.

 

looks good...you should also paint the inside of the cupholder (when you open it) . . . it'll look hot & when closed it'll be normal black....

Sam

 

I just did this mod last week. Sorry no pics but it looks just like mrEous. I would suggest you use duplicolor car paint!!!! Its fast drying, looks great and it will last!!! I tried using other paint...krylon for example...It looks good at first but with one touch of a finger nail and its chipped. I tried to put krylon clear coat on and it turned cloudy. Someone on here told my about duplicolor and it made a word of a difference.

 

for some reason my side vents (the ones with the control vanes) are attached by internal screws...

 

That's strange...are you sure? Have you seen the screws?

 

I have chrome, I can email pics to anyone that wants to see it. and yeah, sometimes the sun hits it the wrong way and it is blinding. When this happens I just close the cover on my sunroof and I'm usually all set.

 

^^Yeah that would definitely suck. Did the chrome run at all? In other words, is it uneven anywhere?

 

Why would it be uneven if the same technique was applied?

 

I was just thinking about chrome in general. If there is any kind of depression or dent in it then it will look uneven. Even if he used the sweeping motion I could imagine some areas 'looking' uneven.

I need to get pics...I can post them for him if I get some.

 

I actually didn't paint it. I have the overlay from www.evolution-autodesign.com. It could probably be painted with this stuff http://www.motostorm.com/index.php?c...ome_Paint&=SID (I think PHSInvent sells it) but I don't think anyone has actually tried this on a dash yet.

MrEous, I'll send you those pics tonight when I get back to my own computer.

 

I see what you mean now... I don't know about chrome I mean, my interior is like a dull black, maybe I should stick to like a dull aluminum look. ?

 

^^Dull aluminum...like brushed aluminum or even metallic silver like mine. I think that's the best way to go.

BTW...this is what the dash overlay from JDOGG's post looks like. (Chrome)



Looks pretty sharp...if I were to do the chrome though I would only get an overlay instead of spraypainting. Just my 2 cents.

 

Wow that is freakin bright! I think I'll just stay with silver for now... I am going to use the duplicolor wheel paint. I heard it is better than krylon. Would that be the best way to spray?

 

Spray with the sweeping motion...works like a charm.

 

LOL sorry I meant is duplicolor the brand to use...

 

lol...Ohhhh, riiiight.

Duplicolor is great actually...if it is used on wheels then I'm sure it will hold up better to scratching than a regular spraypaint would.

 

That will be this weekends project then. Thanks for your help!

 

No problem at all...try to get some pics up after you're done!


-Jeff

 

very simple and inexpensive to do

 

how did you all paint the climate control section? also how hard were the vents to get out?

 

^^ For the climate control I taped off the 'blue-red' area at the bottom for the cold-hot slider. The buttons pop off much like buttons on a keyboard do. I also taped off each individual 'light' that goes beneath each of the top buttons. The fan speed **** also pops off.

The only thing I didn't cover up were the #s 0-1-2-3-4 for the fan speed...I sprayed over that section since I don't like the look of the kits that have that section cut out in some weird shape. I'll post pics on Monday of the climate control section.

 

I used the duplicolor wheel paint and i love mine. if you want to see my pics go to my page at http://members.cardomain.com/conz35 its on page seven. I pulled my complete console out of my car and my gauge pod and painted it. From there it was just applying light coats. I took probably 4 coats. The paint is really thick and i have had mine for 2 months now and no scratches so far. tell me what you think.

 

My girlfriend is an artist and she is currently working on hand painting my dash wood grain. so for its looks fantastic I will definitly post pics when she's done. it takes her awhile though lot of little things she has the paint and she wants to do a good job

 

i just took off my wooden trim ...and i was wondering how hard is it to paint the dash?

 

should i just buy a aluminum dash kit on ebay for 100 instead? what do u guys recommend?

 

Just read further up from the beginning. Painting your own dash would only be about $10 at most and it's very easy.

 

MrEous is right it only costs like 10 buck after that its just you putting in the time. I like the way mine looks. Just remember if your going to do it lightly sand down the pieces first that way the paint will stick better.