Guys,

Given the many posts about what paint to buy to paint a TRD Gauge pod, SEM's Castella paint was mentioned many times. I recognize that some of you said that its not an exact match.

There's an auto paint store very close to my work so I decided to see if they had it. They did and I tried to find something to paint. The most obvious candidate was the tweeter covers.

I painted both and I was not impressed. Here's a pic that shows both the contrast in the color of the A-pillar, the trim, and the Castella paint:



As you can see, its too light. Also notice that the paint does not adhere well. I did the scratch test and as you can see, its easily scratched. Now admittedly, I may have not prepped the tweeter covers the correct way (I didn't do any prep work---haha), but even so, just look at the scratch.

I'm going to see if the store has anything closer to the A-pillar color one of these days.

Bob

 

Bob, go to a local shop that does custom installs. Ask what they use. There are alot of products out there.... those guys seem to be up on most of it.

 

The only upholstery supplier in town carries SEM. I used their 'no sand' plastic prep, color and clear. It's good stuff. Make sure the plastic is clean. Dawn is good for a soap wash. Hand olis are a no-no, I use latex gloves. They only had a few choices for my grey, it's OK, but not an exact match by any means...

 

Brian,

Do you have any suggestions on how to get this crap off?

Bob

 

That was actually what I was thinking too...

 

Acetone might take it off? I duno. Actually, don't try that one. It might be too strong. I was just brainstorming through the odd chemicals I have from car audio stuff. Heh.

Actually, I have color matched vinyl paint I had custom mixed for like $50 a couple years ago. It's still not totally perfect, very slightly greyer than it's supposed to be, but it's down low on my kickpanels so you don't notice unless I tell you. I can send you some of that if I can find something to put it in, but it'd have to be a metal or glass container, so it might cost a bit to send.

It needs to be mixed in a 1:1.5 or something ratio with this thinner I have before it can be sprayed. I bet the thinner for it would take the SEM paint off.

If you'd like, I could mail you some of the paint and thinner. I'm not sure if they'll let me mail volatile liquids though. Well, if I pack it real well, and seal it up even better, they'll never know If you're ever in Irvine, I'd be happy to just do it for you

*edit* here's a pic of the color http://www.cardomain.com/member_page...24_25_full.jpg

 

How about a can of black?

 

Cebby,

Sometimes the obvious escapes yours truly. The only can of black rattle paint I have is flat black high-temp. Its really flat black---almost looks like parkerizing a gun kinda color.

If i can get this off w/ acetone, I'll go w/ your idea or make a trip to DuB's place in Irvine!

Bob

 

Bob:

Something is not right, that is not Castella. Maybe someone switched the cap at the store. Return the paint and get another can.

 

SEM vinyl black is nice. I use the SEM trim black for misc metal parts. Real factory looking - kind of a semi gloss.

 

I was kinda thinking that too. It looks like some kind of plastic primer or something. I was thinking that maybe it was because of the flash it looked that off

 

Well Bob, you are screwed.. Even if you now paint it black, your lack of prep work on it will come back to haunt you. The gray will still flake off under the black. The plastic and texture means you can not get the gray off with out damage to the texture. Your only hope is "plastic bumper stripper" However be warned, it may still soften the plastic and you could have to buy new ones.. Sorry bud, thems the rules of auto body prep work.. "your'e work is only as good as what's hiding underneth"

 

Oh well! I've painted them black anyways:



It's much better than the Castella now.

Bob

 

IMHO, the black looks soo much nicer anyway.. It flows better and thet speaker disappears..

 

Ouch...yeah, no way really of taking it off. Lacquer thinner would melt the texure right off, I don't know of any solvent to remove paint safely from plastic. Lee is the body/paint expert and I guess you may have some flaking issues down the road...sorry bud.

 

Hey Lee,

After seeing it both ways, yup, I agree too.

Bob