HVAC Painting

[IceDragon]

Anyone know of a write up, or could do one, for how to paint your HVAC control knobs, because I just tried, and I screwwed up my control knobs, So now I am gonna get like 3 sets from a junkyard and keep trying till I do it write, but a write up would be really useful... THANKS IN ADVANCE

 

[AWD Lox]

Well here is how I would do it. I know I am a noob, but I have been painting a ton of Focus parts for the last two years. Here is a link to my portfolio on imagestation http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4289239723

I would take them off and wash them in dish soap and water really well first. Then tape of the lighted section if you don't want to paint it. Then I would sand them with some 400 grit sand paper try get a good scratch on the plastic. Then wipe them clean and sand them again with 600 grit paper. Get them as smooth as you desire and them clean them again with soap and water and let them dry.

THen before you primer them, spray on some good adhesion promoter. I like to use a product called Bulldog, its available at orielly's or walmart, comes in a purple can. Spray that on and let it tack up, then primer. Put down about two coats of heavy build primer.

Once that is dry, take some wet 600 grit to them and smooth out the bumps left from primer. Then spray on a real light coat of the bulldog, and then lay down your base coat.

After the base coat drys put down the clear, I'd use about 3 coats of each.

Let all the parts dry overnight and then put them back on.....

Peace

Lox

 

[1993eclipseGS]

Here is a picture of mine, All i did was scuff them with a scotch pad, And popped out the clear part that emits light, Dont go through the trouble taping it off, Just pop it right out, then put it back in when your done. White is really hard to paint, Imo. I used the paint with a picture of a seat on the can, You dont even need primer. With regular paint I would just scuff it down, 1coat primer. scuff, then paint.

 

[IceDragon]

but see, my laser, i tried that, they don't seem to want to pop out... any hints on how to force them out without breaking them??? anyone???

 

[1993eclipseGS]

If you are talking about the little lenses, Push on the top of it, Downwards to push it out with a screw driver. Like, If you are looking it head on, From the top, Push on it to push it off of the plastic rod. mine were hard to get out too.

 

[AWD Lox]

Very nice pics man....You wanna post up some more of your interior? I have been looking for Ideas to do on this car. I didn't know those lenses pop out, thats a lot easier then taping them off.....

 

[1993eclipseGS]

Hey sure, Here are a few more pictures, I re wrapped my door things also. that was really easy. I got the fabric from walmart for like 1.90 for a lot of it, fabric glue and you cant even tell it was done.

 

[AWD Lox]

How did you get the pieced that are between the speedo bezel and HVAC bezel, and the one between the HVAC bezel and the center console off....The ones that look like accordions?

I like that, very subtle, but still you can tell its there....Might have to go buy my first can of DSM color paint...thanks

 

[1993eclipseGS]

Hey they just pop right off. the two accordian looking pieces, And also the radio bezel. There are no screws for them. If you are going to use white, You should use the fabric/vinyl paint that I mentioned earlier with a picture of a can on the seat. That is the only kind of white I will ever use. All the others messed up and got fish eyes and the black showed through in little dots.

 

[frigginlazer]

HOw is your Palm Pilot mounted? I like that Idea and wanna copy it.



Mike

 

[1993eclipseGS]

The pic is from awhile ago but, I just took the flip thing that covers the screen, I just pushed the end of that in the crack between the dash and the black part. I'm sure you know what I mean, Then I just ran the cable behind the white accordian looking piece to tighten up the slack so it didnt bounce around.