Help with painting the center dash trim

[MikekiM]

I've never learned the proper way to paint. Just kind of hit it with whatever I have on hand. Mixed results as expected...

I am doing the ash-tray to dual switch/lighter panel to gain some switches and the new-to-me cig lighter unit doesn't match the color of the one in my TJ.. not even close.

In addition, there are a few holes drilled in the side of the center trim, from POs that I want to fill in. Likely a mic bracket or phone mount.

I have two cans of SEM trim black. I'll clean everything well before I paint but could use some help with how to prep... primer? adhesion promoter?

(I may end up having the shop that painted my fender color match the console to the body because anything else will not likely match the interior color so I might as well be deliberate about the color choice.)

 

[Vtx531]

Would it be easier (maybe cheaper?) to sell the one you have and buy one that is the correct color? I've never been a fan of painting interior items and have gone to lengths to replace previously painted panels with correct color. Always ends up chipping and not looking good for me.

 

[MikekiM]

Would it be easier (maybe cheaper?) to sell the one you have and buy one that is the correct color? I've never been a fan of painting interior items and have gone to lengths to replace previously painted panels with correct color. Always ends up chipping and not looking good for me.

Can't disagree with you on this....

The only piece that REALLY doesn't match is the second cig lighter and switch bank. It is extremely faded. Trying to match that one piece to all the others would be a real PITA and I don't want buy another switch bank..

 

[Vtx531]

Ah, I think I was confusing what you are doing with a center console.

Good luck! I'm no help for cutting and modifying stuff because I would just say don't do it ha

 

[mrblaine]

Can't disagree with you on this....

The only piece that REALLY doesn't match is the second cig lighter and switch bank. It is extremely faded. Trying to match that one piece to all the others would be a real PITA and I don't want buy another switch bank..

Fortunately both the center bezel and the switch bezel have already been painted so they are easy to repaint well. Scuff them with some gray scotchbrite hand pads, clean them with something like SEM Solve, and then spray them with that trim. Polyvance makes a plastic specific filler that works pretty well. The problem there is you likely sand through the paint and down to the plastic. If that happens, you may have to get a plastic primer in use to stick to the plastic bit. SEM flexible bumper primer will work pretty well for that.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

I'm not a real painter by any means but I've learned a couple things that really help.

Main lesson: wasting some paint by randomly spraying in the air, is far better than sanding off runs and blobs so...

Always be moving the can in some direction.

Start spraying before you get to what you're painting and don't stop spraying until you're past it.

Never change directions while still spraying what you're painting.

Good Luck!

FWIW, the only 2 people that didn't improve by what I just said weren't really sure how to use a wrench or had trouble driving nails with a hammer, maybe both.

 

[MikekiM]

I’m really good with cutting and fab’ng

Totally comfortable with the process of modifying the cog lighter.

Also pretty good at painting in general. Not so good at the best way to prep. That’s where I am hoping for some guidance.