Painting the DASH... (UPDATED with final pictures)

[racingking951]

so got the idea today to paint my dash and center console today because im tired of looking at the ugly grey/beige color of my interior. i ran to advanced and got 2 cans of vinyl/fabric paint and went to work...

painting the dash is pretty simple just remove all the air vents, center trim and glove box

wipe it clean of dust then spray away

light coat
medium coat
medium coat

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/DSC_0932-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/DSC_0934-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/DSC_0930-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/DSC_0927-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/0508001905-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/0508001905a-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/0508001906-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/2-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/4-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/1-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/3-1.jpg

[chaksq]

Not bad, are planning on painting the rest of the interior to match?

[racingking951]

yup i want to finish the dash first then i'll start working on the door panels such

[grayguy]

I have done it. I HATED how shiney it made the dash, and it collected dust like mad

[racingking951]

ya i know what you mean ive done this before to another car but i figured it would be better than the stock color the dash is now

i'll help with the diy..

1. point spray car towards target
2. press top nozzle
3. viola!

[subie/legacy]

^^^haha. my dash is the same color. I hate it too.
I stole all my black/gray dash vents, and stereo surround from my old silver L.
It helped a little bit I guess. anyways I'm interested to see how this turns out.

[racingking951]

ya its not that hard lol its like painting anything else.

clean object
light coat
medium coat
medium coat

thats how im doing mine. after work today ill finish my dash and get the finished pictures up

[green97gt]

wow, most folks in FL go out of there way to NOT have a black interior.

i bet she smells nice on a hot FL afternoon

[subie/legacy]

Damn.. I was hoping it would've had more of an OEM finish. :-(
Do they make anything with less gloss?

[racingking951]

i thought it was to glossy at first too but after a week or so and a few cleanings with some armorall, to me the gloss either faded a bit or i just got use to it
i love the way it looks now

wont the spray paint fade from the sun after a while?

[meepers]

Spray paint is NOT the appropriate product for this. Items to do the job correctly:

SEM Plastic prep spray
Green scotch bright pads
Wax and grease remover
Sem Vinyl coat in the color of your choosing
Sem Clear coat in the sheen of your choice.

its strongly recommended to REMOVE the parts from inside your car BEFORE you do this.

Clean well with wax and grease remover with a clean lint free cloth.

Warm soapy water and the scotch bright bad to LIGHTLY scuff all areas to be colored. Wax and grease remover again. When this is completed you should have an even hazy finish on your original components.

Using the Plastic prep, spray entire surface to be colored per the instructions on the back. I dont have a can handy, but I do believe you need to let it flash/tack for 20 min or so.

using SEVERAL LIGHT COATS! apply your color. after spraying this evenly, it should come out with a nice even MATTE finish. I generally leave it at this stage as it pretty much matches factory perfect. for things like door panels or arm rests that receive alot of contact, using the clear coat offers better protection. they have matte, satin, high gloss clears all available for this.

basically the SEM products are like a candy coating for your panels and if done correctly will outlast your car. I have changed colors/redone nearly every vehicle I have owned with this stuff and swear by it. Its available in your local automotive paint supply stores. If you cant find one, stop in to a bodyshop and ask who they use for their supplies. they should be able to point you in the right direction.

If matching an existing color, bring a trim panel with as there are tons of colors available pre mixed. they also have this in a mixable spray for using standard auto painting systems.

[xoSubieLegacyxo]

That's the "professional" way to do it. But like most people, the "other" way is primarily the best. C'mon who wants to pull out their dash just to paint it? I know I don't! lol

[legacy360.]

how do you remove the Driver side and passenger air vents?

[grayguy]

Pull harder haha. They should pop right out.

[legacy360.]

really? that easy?