I was looking for a "mint" Firebird dash for my converson, and came acroos a Fiero dash in a local boneyard that was nearly "new" looking, so I decided to get it. The only thing that was wrong with it was the original owner mounted something on a few of the dash pieces (what ever it was, was gone by the time I got to it), but I know the pieces that were damaged by this in my car were good. Now here comes my problem, between the two dashes, and taking the best pieces from both, I now have one really good looking dash with different colors from fadeing. can anyone suggest a good paint for both the plastic and the vinal pieces? and what is the best way to perp and paint them?
Thanks in advance.

Yes it can be done and I have done these in the past.
(1)Use real fine sand paper to scuff the top.
(2)Use degreaser to cut all grease for proper adhesion.
(3)Hose down throughly and leave to dry.
(4)Use flat black paint to kill the different colors .
(5)Use the color of your choice and avoid enamel paint give it 2 coats to cover the dash and that is about it leave to dry for a day or so then install,you will enjoy it for years to come.

My dad used Automotive paint on his old 1979 chevy shortbox,he used a spray gun and mixed the paint as you would mix it for the exterior.He sold the truck to his bosses son and after 12 years it still looks like new,no cracks,chips NOTHING! Looks factory.

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1986 Fiero SE
www.2m6performance.tk

NICE SIG SantaCruiz

The better way to do this is to use vinyl dye that is available at body supply shops. it can be mixed in a bunch of different colors, is the stuff you should be using anyways, and is very durable, as long as you don't go the cheap route and use that duplicolor crap. This stuff is actually mixed up, just like auto paint, although it has an extra ingredient specifically for this application.

Clean the surface really well with soap and water, then a quick glance over with Acetone, and shoot with a touch up gun. It works great, looks great, and while not altogether cheap, is the right way to do the job.

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As Alice Cooper once said...

quote Feed My.... Frankenstein!

quote Originally posted by rogergarrison: NICE SIG SantaCruiz

hehe thanx

i'm just about finished painting my interior with that 'cheap duplicolor crap'. i havent had a problem with it and it looks really good! of course, i prepped the HELL out of everything and took my time. not a bad route if you're good with a spray can, can take your time, and want the interior to be black.

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I agree with Spektrum. I painted a bunch of interior pieces with the gloss black duplicolor, and it looks factory.

Prep the hell out of it. I ended up using the same prep sol I used for the body panels when I prepped them. Just ask for it at any auto parts store. This stuff WILL soften the plastic up and ruin the texture, so apply with a moderatly gentle touch, and do so a few times. I found that areas that were Armor-All'd by the previous owner (that stuff is a painter's worst nightmare) took up two three rubbdowns of prepsol to keep the fisheyes away. If the paint starts to fisheye, wipe it off right away, use more prepsol, and try again.

Also, spray the paint in light coats, as many as three or more, and wait for each to dry fully.

I used the SEM vinyl colorant spray stuff. Got it locally, but eastwood sells it. They also sell the prep stuff.. spray it on, wipe it off... softens the vinyl for better adhesion... then paint with SEM spray. did it 6 months ago, and so far no problems. Followed up with SEM clear. Color match was a tad lighter then OEM, but in the car it really didn't look different at all. And it's made for vinyl...

I cleaned mine with acetone and painted with SEM vinyl/plastic paint and had exellent results.

Paul

I was just wondering using dupli color how hard would it be to make it red.

How hard would it be to use duplicolor and make the dash red? Is there a chance that it might bow the plastic if i'm not careful. Can I just use a universal black as the primer?

my dash has 2 small spots due to sun...anyone know the color i the 85se..brown /tan...to match my dash.i was gonna get some touch up and just brush over those spots..any other ideas ? thanks

im in the prosess as well , almost all of my interior is painted,(will finish up next week ) Gloss Black, its all in the prep work, good products are NO good with out good Prep.

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Rich
white 86 se, 2" drop, coil overs, KYB's. CRX intake, ported manifolds

So can i use the universal black as a primer or what. Also will someone please reply as how hard it would be to make the dash red using duplicolor. Anyone, anyone? No....the answer is the constitution. Lol, i'm an idiot.

I haven't finished my Fiero interior yet but have done a couple of other restore jobs in the past. I used the vinyl prep stuff and cheap dye. It worked well and lasted years. One of the cars had a multi-colored interior before restore. I had no problem covering one color with another. Took 3 coats over about as many days. My experience has been that you are only limited by the colors of dye available from your supplier. So if they've got the color you want you can do it! It worked reaaly well on the my son's '66 Mustang's carpet too!

It's been said above, but I'll repeat it, and agree with it...

Prep Prep Prep. Clean the hell out of the whole thing with a soft brush and soapy water. Then wipe it down with automotive wax & grease remover (wear cotton gloves while doing it so you don't get your skin oil back on it).

Get a few cans of SEM "Color Coat" in (red or whatever you like). Spray on as per directions on can. I did a test piece going from brown to black and it totally covered it in about 2 passes.

The stuff is incredible - you can cover hard plastic , vinyl, carpets, right down to velvet (!) and the velvet stays soft and fuzzy. It's totally flexible and won't crack if applied properly.