Difficulty Level

Tools/Supplies Needed:

• bucket of water
• soap
• hose
• plastic epoxy
• lint free cloth
• rubbing/isopropyl alcohol
• 220 grit sandpaper
• 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper
• high build primer
• paint
• paper
• tape

Procedure:

• give the parts you are painting a good wash removing any dirt, grim, debris, grease, or wax
• any damaged areas, you can fill in with a plastic epoxy or short strand fibreglass filler
• if the area is damaged, ensure it is dry
• sand the damaged area with 220 grit sandpaper
• wipe down with a degreaser such as rubbing alcohol
• mix the plastic epoxy accordingly and then apply to the damaged area
• use 220 grit sandpaper to smoothen out the epoxy once it had hardened
• wet sand the rest of the trim piece with 400 grit sandpaper
• wet sanding will keep the dust down and reduce the sandpaper from becoming plugged
• when wet sanding, ensure the area is well lubricated and wash away any excuse amount of sanding material
• if there is any dimpling in the piece, filler primer will be required the remove the surface imperfections
• wash the piece again to ensure there are no contaminants on the piece and remove any of the debris from wet sanding
• primer the piece and allow it to dry before wet sanding again
• once the primer is dry, wet sand it with 400 grit sandpaper
• more coats of primer and wet sanding maybe needed until it meets your satisfaction
• once down with the primer stage, give the piece a final sanding down with 400 grit and wipe down with a degreaser
• using the desired final paint type, making sure you are in a low dust environment with minimal wind, you are ready to paint the piece
• -tape off any areas you do not want the new paint on
• give the piece anywhere from three to four coats of paint making sure not to have any runs in the final paint stages
• once done, allow the piece to dry for 24 to 48 hours before reinstalling on the vehicle
• be sure the remove the taped off areas about an hour after applying the final coat of paint

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Can I paint the trim a factory color instead of using a trim specific paint?

Yes you can.