Painting plastic dash

[Polishmeatballpizza]

Mine is back, however, I want to go with an Astro Blue interior. Has anyone had success painting these?

Thanks!

[Loren At 65GS]

They paint quite easily.

Scuff it down with a red Scotch Brite pad so it is all dull. There is a plastic prep that can be used or an additive to the paint for plastic.

We used the additive on all the aircraft plastic parts we painted.

Looks like a trip to the auto body supply shop.  The good thing is that you can use the same color paint as you are using on the dash.  You will also need an additive to reduce the gloss.

  Loren

[Buicknut65]

I scuff with 3m red pad , clean with thinner , spray bulldog then use SEM vinyl / plastic paint . Try to make sure at least 70 degrees out only cover it don't over coat with SEM .

[tsollazo]

Assume you are referring to the dash surround?

Here's how I did mine (I also have an "astro blue" interior). Note that the dash and kick panels (non carpeted areas) are dark blue flat/semi gloss. The rest of the interior is the "medium blue"/astro blue including the metal dash area, ash tray, glove box door, side AC outlets (if you have them). Only difference between the interior paint and the exterior is the interior was a semi-gloss. Exterior was "full" gloss. That is if you want it original. I have paint codes for this somewhere. Make sure the paint is acrylic lacquer. I had spray cans mixed per paint code with correct gloss level. Only took a couple days before they were on my doorstep.

Clean the surface you plan to paint with simple green using a soft brush, and be careful. The surrounds are old crappy plastic. You can crack them by looking at them. Don't dilute the simple green. Its acts like a solvent for plastic and it will not harm it and it will get all the old grit/grime/smoke residue off. You'll see it come off as you lightly scrub. You do not need to remove the original paint. Painting acrylic lacquer over acrylic lacquer is actually good..like a primer. Rinse it and blow it off.

Now you are ready for paint. Acrylic lacquer bites into the plastic (and into the original paint). You don't really need an adhesion promoter although it doesn't hurt. I used both methods before and doesn't really make a difference on this rigid non/flex plastic. If you do choose to, use Bulldog. You'll have to get it at the auto body supply store. I went 3 coats with the acrylic lacquer. 1 light coat (it dries in minutes), 2nd a little heavier and 3rd full/final coverage.

Any other questions let me know. Good luck with it!

Tony