hi. do any tried painting ther dash? i'm think to spray paint my dash to a glosy black with design to it, and im not sure what kind of paint should i use?

do i have to sand the dash first before spray painting it? so the paint will stick or just spray it. and what kind of spray paint should i use, any suggestion?

 

Well, when I did it I fully removed the dash(obviously) then I took some of the green scotch brite pads and used them to sand away the stock paint(it is surprisingly thin) and then I used alcohol to clean it. After that I used tac cloth to take away any dust that had settle. Next is the priming paint. Any neutral color will work or the same color of what you are putting down(depends on the effect you are looking for). Let that cure, then tac cloth it again. Spray the first layer.(then how ever many corresponding layers you are desiring). Let cure. Lastly, tac and spray with clear to protect.

I used the exact paint code to my exterior paint and bought a pint from NAPA. I wanted some nice stuff because I did a reallly nice paint job. I spent a week on it.

But, to each their own and how ever complicated you want to make it is up to you...this was my Christmas break project

 

I'd think if you're just going for black, some of that Kyrlon made for plastic would work well, just follow Chris' intructions above to the letter and you should be good to go....

I'm seriously thinking of brightening up the interior of my Clubby too......

 

I would love a Piano Black dash, but I think that's a 3 piece.

On a related note, some interior parts of my car are meant to look like brushed aluminum. Has anyone thought of trying to get real brushed aluminum for these parts? I don't know how you'd cover the dash parts or if you could make new aluminum parts that are direct replacements, but It should add class.

 

GOOD TIPS guys, i really do apprciate your reply. just one more question, you said "Next is the priming paint. Any neutral color will work or the same color of what you are putting down(depends on the effect you are looking for)." if i want a glosy or mirror like effect what primer paint should i use?

 

Instead of Primer, I use Adheasion promoter for all plastics. Really works awesome, but is clear, but should not be a problem with black.

I have also used a 2000 grit wet sanding on plastics as well. Nothing too corse as it will come up on the newly painted surface.

I would clear coat any painted plastics too. It will make it look like the piano black finish.

Dupont Clear Acrylic Lacquer is available from professional paint retailers and works awesome. I coat all my mirror caps with that.

Just don't breathe it in, and make sure you have plently of fresh air where you do it. It's about 16-17 bucks a can.

 

The primer is more of a concern when you will have it make an effect "through" the other layers of paint...like with a "candy" paint job...

for yours, you can just use a black primer.

The mirror/glossiness will come from how well you do your layer of "normal" paint after the primer and how well you do the clear coat...

Just take your time and it will be nice and shinny!

 

If you have the alloy patina there is a film on top of the actual plastic that can and will bubble up after you primer or paint it. After i seen this I let my dash pieces soak in a plastic safe paint remover called easy lift off. Take a scotch bright pad to remove the film. Major PIA. the door panel pieces didn't seem to have the film.
But afterwords it looks 100% better

 

What about just wrapping them with vinyl?

 

Thanks Ivan. I too have the Patina Alloy and want to paint the pieces black. Your wisdom will now show me the way.

 

No problem.

 

need help removing the air bag piece cover, i was able to remove the other piece but when it come to the air bag part, im having trouble, can you guys tell me what i can do, i already removed the 3 screw holding the bottom part, but when i try to lift it somthing is holding it inside the top part is some how attach to somthing inside when i look at it. im scared if i put to much force to it my air bag will deploy or i wont be able to put it back the same way.. i'm all ready to sand the other piece and pait it, its just i cant do it due to the air bag part wont come off...

 

Need to remove the upper dash pad. There are two bolts you need to remove. before you can pull the airbag cover off. Be careful the metal pieces a very sharp.

 

Get a torx driver and a bit of patience.
You need to remove three screws from the bottom of the airbag cover (don't confuse them with the two or three screws for the glovebox, which are in close proximity) Then remove the top of the dash (two torx on either side, underneath plastic panels which just pull off.) From there there are three more torx on the top, as well as two nylon retention straps that require a 10mm socket - the one on the right is tougher to get to - use an extension.
After ALL the screws are out, lift up on the bottom (if you get any resistance, check for more screws) and the cover will pivot out. Note that in the top are three green plastic screw retention pieces. These just LOVE to fall out and subsequently fall in behind the glovebox as you wriggle the cover out. Be warned!
Note that it is a breakaway cover, so don't force anything, or you can find it breaking away unexpectedly. Only handle the frame where the screws go through.

 

okay i'm planning to get my dash painted by proffesionals since i want ti piano black effects, but now i want to know how to take the ring trim for teh speedometer and oddometer? any idea, isit only a twist or pry or is their a screw i have to take it out, if i succecefuly removed the trim do i need some kind of glue or somthing to put it back?

 

It sometimes depends on your year. Mine was able to be pried away from the front, however, other years are actually glued in place, so you will have to remove your trim that surrounds the speedo and air vents.

-Chase

 

well what years is yours? mine is 2003 MCS.. do you think i can pry it out? cuz im scarded that im might have problem putting it back after i paint it..

 

I don't believe the speedometer trim ring comes off, at least not in my 06. It's attached to the whole big black face piece behind it.

Here is a thread that should help you - it's actually a DIY on changing gauge faces but it tells you how to get to and remove the pieces you're talking about.