Interior paint

[kballan]

Have any of you guys done this? Used interior paint for your door panels , kick panels, headliner trim, etc? I heard from quite a few people so far that this is supposed to work well. So, rather than buying new door panels, I opted to go with the paint (I haven't had it done yet though). I got some surface prep stuff as well. The only thing that I'm worried about is the door panels scratching and/or peeling. Just wondering if anyone has done this and how well it works.

[cochino12]

I have painted my console and the some of the trim in my truck. It does scratch off though. I would say to use it on some of trim and parts that don't get bumped a lot. I bought mine from jcwhitney, it looks good but for the door panels I would cough up the $$ and get new ones. my $.02

[82 Silverado 4X]

The stuff you buy in the rattle cans isn't half as durable as the good stuff that comes in pints and quarts that you spray through a gun. You can get the good stuff through a regular auto paint retailer.
This is how I changed the interior color on my last truck:

Even with the good paint, it wont matter much if you don't do a really good job on the paint prep. I scrubbed mine with soap and water, rinsed then wiped and rinsed again to be sure there was no soap film left. I then allowed it to dry. Then I wiped them down with thinner on a lint free rag. Remember to ask about a surface preparer type primer for the interior dye when buying your interior paint. It bites into the old material and gives the new color a good surface to bond to. Allow the panels to get warm in the sun prior to painting. Spray on 4-5 good coats of the color paint allowing it to tack up between coats then allow them to dry out in the sun.

I even did the steering wheel, column seats and pillars and had no wear through or show of the old color anywhere for three years.

[houston6]

yeah i beleive 82 Siverado hit the nail on the head.ive used it with great success but i never thought about doing my steering wheel with it ill have to remember that on my next one

[littlebubba]

82 Silverado is right on the money with how to do it. I have used the PPG products with excellent results on stuff I want to last and look good!. PPG recommends using thier "conditioner" before the color, then color. Rattle cans is ok for something not important or your not fussy about and gets the job done. So it comes down to you get what you pay for, and if you have the spray equiptment to do it. If not check your local bump shop, see what they would charge to shoot a few pieces. Some guys will do it after hours for a 12 pack, if you buy the supplies.

[kballan]

Thanks guys! I didn't get the crap in the rattle can - I paid the extra and went with the stuff for the spray guns! I also got some adhesion promoter for the plastic trim and door panels. Thanks for all the input!

[MylilBowTie]

I have heard talk of Krylon Fusion. Its supposed to be pretty good but still have to see how durable it is. Its a new spray made just for plastic.

I've never used it but here is a link to check it out. Maybe someone can try this out on a test subject and lets us know if it really is good.

Krylon Fusion Link

[bagged81]

I used SEM Vinyl and Plastic and Color Spray. You can get it from Eastwood Company for $8 a can. Just search for "sem" on their home page.
Here is the product description:

Renew or change the color of your vinyl upholstery and plastic surfaces - permanently. Flexible enough for seats, yet tough enough for vinyl tops. For optimum results and adhesion, use Plastic Prep and Sand Free-Kit on hard plastics, and Vinyl Prep on vinyl. Buy 3 or more and SAVE!

I picked mine up at a local automotive paint store.