Paint Types / Suggestions

[vtkremlin]

So, after reading countless threads on painting various parts of the car -- I'm looking for suggestions on the suggested best methods of painting, and if manual - the type of paint to use.

A. Interior Pieces
It seems like the advice for these are remove them, sand them, prime them, paint them, coat them. What's the best method of paint, whats the best source for paint, etc. If you are matching your external body color, best practice?

B. Brake Calipers
It seems high temp paint / engine paint is a requirement. Some suggestions have been using a brush to apply spray paint. (So as to not have to remove the calipers)

C. Wheels
I've seen a couple of posts for this. I'm tired of my nasty plastic rims, I want chrome but I might not splurge for the stock chrome look. What're the options for painting the wheels chrome (or silver - matches my current exterior)

D. Body Pieces/Kits
Seems like the deal is, go get the damn thing painted locally.

E. Stripes, Accents, etc
Seems as if nylon sucks (cracking peeling, etc), seems like having this done externally may be a waste of money if its capable of being done in-house. What methods are you using for painting (spray, brush, etc) and what brands? Any options for custom coloring?

Thanks for all the help. These are my bottled up questions after many months of casual observation and trying to learn without posting.

[AaronGTR]

So, after reading countless threads on painting various parts of the car -- I'm looking for suggestions on the suggested best methods of painting, and if manual - the type of paint to use.

A. Interior Pieces
It seems like the advice for these are remove them, sand them, prime them, paint them, coat them. What's the best method of paint, whats the best source for paint, etc. If you are matching your external body color, best practice?

Remove them, sand them, clean them with acetone, primer them, wet sand them with 400 grit paper, then paint and clear coat. That will get best results. Use the same method as you would to spray paint anything. Several light coats 15-30 minutes apart followed by a final heavier coat, just enough so the paint looks "wet" and will settle in a smooth finish but not enough to drip or run. Spray in even strokes the same distance from the part and starting and finishing the stroke off the part to avoid splatters. If you want a perfect match to body color though, you will have to get custom mixed paint and use an air gun.

B. Brake Calipers
It seems high temp paint / engine paint is a requirement. Some suggestions have been using a brush to apply spray paint. (So as to not have to remove the calipers)

Do NOT use engine paint on brake calipers. That's not what it's designed for and it will not last or stay looking good. I recommend G2 caliper paint http://g2usa.com/brake_caliper_paint.shtml . Special two part paint that you can brush on but dries smooth. Resists heat, chemicals, and chipping. Best stuff I've used yet.

C. Wheels
I've seen a couple of posts for this. I'm tired of my nasty plastic rims, I want chrome but I might not splurge for the stock chrome look. What're the options for painting the wheels chrome (or silver - matches my current exterior)

Don't try to paint your own wheels. Especially not chrome. Chrome paints do not look like real chrome. They have to be professionally chrome plated. Get them plated or painted somewhere, or just buy some new wheels in the finish you want.

D. Body Pieces/Kits
Seems like the deal is, go get the damn thing painted locally.

Yep. Unless you're a trained body man, it's not something you can do yourself at home and have it look good. Leave this to the pro's.

. Stripes, Accents, etc
Seems as if nylon sucks (cracking peeling, etc), seems like having this done externally may be a waste of money if its capable of being done in-house. What methods are you using for painting (spray, brush, etc) and what brands? Any options for custom coloring?

?huh. What kind of stripes or accents are you talking about? If you just mean like some rally stripes on the hood/trunk/etc, just get them done in vinyl. Cheap, easy, and reversible later if you change your mind. Don't know what you're talking about with nylon. Need to be more specific.

[Bryan]

Yeah for the money you'd spend getting your stock wheels done in another finish you might as well go with some bigger diameter aftermarket rims.

[vtkremlin]

As for the wheels:
I sadly just dropped a good chunk of money for new tires, so I probably wont be buying any larger rims (and thus new tires) for at least another 20-30k.

I am looking for a good solution in the meantime that is affordable.

One other option I was considering was finding a good source for the stock chrome GT rims. Any suggestions? (I really like the look of the 16's I have, just not the plastic nastyness)

As for the accents:
I mean to say vinyl not nylon (geez, long day). I'm actually looking at something a bit more simple just for the hood and for the rear spoiler. I'm becoming a big fan of the accents on the RK (but not using the RK kit). For example, stripes going up into the scoops, and a single stripe between the scoops - hood only. As for the spoiler, a simple top color coat.

I'm not sure if I can achieve that with vinyl.

[AaronGTR]

Try the "for sale/wanted" sections on this site. There are plenty of people upgrading to aftermarket wheels who should have some stock chrometech's they'd be willing to sell you. If not, try ebay or your local junk yard.