HOW TO: Painting Your Interior

[Tonyyank]

Process of painting the interior……..

First get in your car and figure out what pieces you want to paint. Then make sure that they are going to be removable. Some pieces just pry out, others are bolted or held by screws. Unscrew all screws and bolts first. Then grab it and slowly pull. If there is still no give, grab a flathead screw driver and then wrap a thin cloth around it. This way you won’t wreck any interior pieces not being removed. Insert the flathead behind the piece and push away from your body to bring the piece out.

After you have all of the pieces out that you want to paint. Wash everything very good with HOT soapy water. I would use a dial soap, to remove all the Armoral and grease that could be on it. Then let dry, or use a cloth towel to dry it off. Then you have to think about what you want the finish to look like. You can either have the bumpy feel it has to it now, or you can make it smooth. If you want to make it smooth. You need to get some sand paper. Sand it down so you get all of the textured feel out of it. Then wash it again after done sanding. Let it dry this time REALLY good!!! You will need a least 1 full can of spray paint, unless you are doing the whole interior. And a good amount of primer will be needed. Here are the painting steps.

1.Spray with light coat of Primer and let sit for 7-10 min or until not tacky.

2.Then give another light coat of Primer to it and wait 5 min to dry.

3.Then start with you first VERY LIGHT coat of the color you have selected.

4.Keep adding very light coats every 7-10 min. Letting each coat dry very good.

5.When you are at the point where you like the color. Let dry for 30min.

6.Then make sure you have covered all areas, too make sure you are ready for the clearcoat. If you have missed any areas fix before clearcoat.

7.Apply light coats of clear to surface about every 5min. I would do at least 6-7 coats of clear.

8.Before installing, I would let pieces dry for around 12-24 hours!! This way when you go to put them back in, you won’t smudge or smear the paint.

[StarFire]

Or you can just hand paint them.

Remove the parts, clean them with water & dawn. Take a brush and just paint right over. Let them dry. Install.

If you want a better coating paint it twice.

This will give you a much more "natural" look, where you can actually see the texture of the interior. This is my preferred method because you can make brush strokes and if done right...they look really cool. I will get some picture up when I get my camera. :)

Just another suggestion. Tony's way will give you a smooth shiny "candy apple" like appearance.

[RamAirGT]

sounds pretty simple, but there's one missing detail......what kind of paint is recommended for the best shine and won't peel off

[Molson]

Originally posted by RamAirGT
sounds pretty simple, but there's one missing detail......what kind of paint is recommended for the best shine and won't peel off

Plasti-Cote. "Best shine and no peel" brand..

ya ya, I'm a :tool:

[RamAirGT]

and also, once its painted can it be returned back to the original color. i know, i know. i ask too many damn questions :boogie:

[Tonyyank]

I would say no..Unless you find a color and repaint it to that color, but it wouldn't look stock!!!

[wink]

do you have to sand it, or only if you want the smooth look?

[Tonyyank]

I would just a tiny bit to get the primer to stick!!! :thumbs:

[wink]

what grit of sandpaper do you suggest

[athomas]

You can return it to it's orginal sate, it just takes A LOT of patience and some paint thinner :) I did this recently...... WHEW!! About a 3 hour project to get it back to normal.

[GrandAmGT99]

Not sure if anyone else did this, but I wetsanded between coats of paint, it made things super smooth. I was using 400 and 600 grit wet sand paper.

[tshboy]

dumb question here but has anyone tried a semi-gloss or flat clearcoat? if so, do you have the paint brand, etc? i am doing a polished aluminum interior look and i don't think the gloss clearcoat is what i want.

thnx.

ps: i know testors makes a flat clear for plastic models. anyone try this?

[Dj BigB's GT]

Any tricky pieces to pull out? tips on certain pieces? which piece to start with?

[papiogagt]

start with smaller pieces as "practice." don't just go straight into the center console. you might be dissapointed.

[MidwestJosh]

Originally posted by papiogagt
start with smaller pieces as "practice." don't just go straight into the center console. you might be dissapointed.

I second that! I've done my vents, door handle trim and shifter trim twice and haven't gotten it just how I want it yet. Third time is a charm... I hope.

[tshboy]

Originally posted by Dj BigB's GT
Any tricky pieces to pull out? tips on certain pieces? which piece to start with?

take your time and do a few pieces. make sure you know exactly what parts you want and try to visualize it before you paint it.

here is my recent doings:
http://www.n-body.net/registry/tshboy/20020906.jpg

[Dj BigB's GT]

How to on part removal? vents, little cubby under fog switch, key handle for glove box....etc.
I went and bought the paint and other supplies yesterday and plan on doing it this weekend.

thanks for all the tips so far

[Scott R. Mraz]

I thought i'd add my how-to text tile I had been updating to the thread...



Paiting Interior Trim on 99+ Grand Am's

Author: Scott R. Mraz
Email: scott@ps2insider.com
Version: 1.0
Rez: 1152 X 864
Created: 01/31/2002
RDATE: 05/10/2002



|||Q&A|||

\\\What brand paint should I use?
/Well the brand depends upon how how your applying it. If your doing spray paint, use "Dupli-Color" brand paint w/ cermic.
/If you are doing this with professional equipment (e.g. a sprayer) I suggest any brand will pretty much get the job, considering it's being used on the interior and not being exposed to the elements,(have it matched).

\\\What spray paint color should I use?
/Dupli-Color has a wide varity of colors available that closely match your cars exterior.



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



This is a quick overview of the steps involved and will give you a general idea of what to do.

1) First start by pulling the (upper) center console trim. To do this, simply get a flat head screw driver and lightly pry around the
bottom sides of the trim, should just pop right off.

- Next detach the EST/Hazard plugs from the buttons.
- Unscrew the rear plate of the ETS/Hazard mount from the trim.
- Pop off the ignition face plate, if you haven't already done so.

2) Now were going to detach the center console it's self. There srews locate on either side about half way down the center console, near
the tips of your seats(if you can see them, push your seats back).

- Next there are three srews holding the center console cubbie lid in place, remove these.
- Below the plastic matt inside the cubbie are a few screws, remove these.
- Next at the very top of the center console you will see two srew covers. Beneath these are two screws on either side, remove them.


3) Next remove the door handle trim, simply one screw each.

- Remove the air vents by rotating vent so that it is closed and while pulling with one had, use a flat head to gently pry around it, until it comes loose.
- To remove the speaker covers in the rear, simply pry (gently) around the cover until it comes loose.



Painting is another story. There are few ways to do it, a) do it yourself with professional painting equipment (like i did). or b) if you dont have access to the equipment or dont have any experience with it, I suggest you use spray paint. Or finally C) have it professionally done. It shouldn't cost to much anyhow, considering it's a rather quick job for a pro.

1) These tips are general for either spray paint or professional equipment. First take all the parts you have removed and clean them thuroughly with alcahol, dont skimp either, use lots of it.

- Next use a scotch brite pad to sand them down.
- Once done blow them off completely prefferably using an air hose.
- Then go over them again with 220 grit sand paper, and then with 500 grit, and then with a 1000 grit.
- Between each sand paper, blow them off.


2) Now your ready to spray some primer (base coat) on. You dont need to cover the whole suface so you cant see it, just make sure you've got a good layer of it on the parts.

- Then lightly sand with 1000 grit once more and blow off
- Next spray one coat, wait the ammount of time specified on the can and then apply next coat. Do about 15 coats per part (now this is a little excessive but will ensure durability).
- Once done and dry, spray it will a clear coat or enamel spray. Again waiting the alloted time between coats.
- Next let them all dry for at least 24hrs. Then re-install.
(tip: dont wash parts for at least one week after install)

[AmIGrand]

Great info guys, I'm, starting this project soon!! Thanx!!

[GTluver]

hey guys......

i been wanting to try this mod for so long, since its pretty much a free or very cheap mod while im dead broke......but im concerned w/ the weather......its the middle of january......would it dry normally, take a long time, or? or should i be better off waiting til spring? i will be doing this in my garage w/ no ventilation on but the door will be open.....

btw....all of u should have pix up if u have ur interior painted.......:thumbs:

[Molson]

bring all the pieces inside to paint. Then they will dry normally, you want pics?

Look here.

www.aleromod.net/gallery/Molson

[GTluver]

Originally posted by Molson
bring all the pieces inside to paint. Then they will dry normally, you want pics?

Look here.

www.aleromod.net/gallery/Molson

do my painting INSIDE the house? hmm.....i usually wait til the weekend to get 'high' but ill see what i can do.......:p :p

[SikMindz]

OH boy was that fun. Repainting some pieces in a closed garage 'cause it was too cold outside. For those asking about sanding, check out smooth1269's interior paint job. Probably the best I've seen IMO.

[GTluver]

Originally posted by SikMindz
OH boy was that fun. Repainting some pieces in a closed garage 'cause it was too cold outside. For those asking about sanding, check out smooth1269's interior paint job. Probably the best I've seen IMO.

whats 'smooth1269' s screen name? i tried typing that in the search button but no results.....i wanna c his interior paint job.....:rage:

[SikMindz]

Bam!
http://www.n-body.net/registry/smooth1269

There's only one pic of his interior there but there are some others elsewhere online. Might want to check any Cali Meet pics...:thumbs:

[Scott R. Mraz]

Originally posted by GTluver
hey guys......

i been wanting to try this mod for so long, since its pretty much a free or very cheap mod while im dead broke......but im concerned w/ the weather......its the middle of january......would it dry normally, take a long time, or? or should i be better off waiting til spring? i will be doing this in my garage w/ no ventilation on but the door will be open.....

btw....all of u should have pix up if u have ur interior painted.......:thumbs:

It will take a little longer than in the summer but thats nothing to worry about. Simply be patient it will dry.

[GTluver]

Originally posted by Scott R. Mraz


It will take a little longer than in the summer but thats nothing to worry about. Simply be patient it will dry.

i was checking out your N-body registry......and ur painted interior looks flawless......2 :thumbs: :thumbs: wayyy up.....

[GTluver]

Originally posted by Tonyyank
I would say no..Unless you find a color and repaint it to that color, but it wouldn't look stock!!!

is that really you in your avatar doing the burnout? if so, how do u do it......? looks like theres more then 175 ponnies under that hood.........:thumbs:

[Black Z28]

tony at carlisle when he did that burnout...."E-brake on, ETS off, Brake torque it and let it rip" i made a video of it if you want it

[GTluver]

Originally posted by GrandAmRamAir
tony at carlisle when he did that burnout...."E-brake on, ETS off, Brake torque it and let it rip" i made a video of it if you want it

sure......send me or post a link to the vid.....that would b awesome.................:D

[Tonyyank]

Ya like that ;) :D Wait until the next vid of me doing one :eek: You $HIT ur pants :) Thanks for the comment on the interior :)

[lightningGA]

sweet......thanks for all the info guys....time to start this project

[GTManiac]

wanted to add to this wealth of information with a link to a step by step process for painting most all of the interior pieces on a '99+ GA.

http://evicerator.com/cars/gandam.html

[cavingman]

Originally posted by GTManiac
wanted to add to this wealth of information with a link to a step by step process for painting most all of the interior pieces on a '99+ GA.

http://evicerator.com/cars/gandam.html

you spelled grand am wrong :)

[AmIGrand]

lol

[GTManiac]

heh... I think everyone can correct it for themselves. The link is in the sig though.