Color Match Interior?

[justin4fun]

Hi everyone... been reading this forum for awhile, but just finally got around to joining. All the info here is great.

I have a Yellow H3 since July sometime and finally trying to get around to some custom additions...

Was wondering if anyone had attempted to paint or otherwise colormatch (to the exterior) any of the interior trim? Did a search but didn't come up with anything.

I'm pretty versed in the electronics department, but this is a new step in customization for me... so some basic questions:

What sort of paint and painting procedure would work best for the plastic trim?

Any ideas on how to get color-matched paint?

Anyone have some instructions on removing the dash/door trim etc?

Thanks for any help in advance.

[justin4fun]

Hi everyone... been reading this forum for awhile, but just finally got around to joining. All the info here is great.

I have a Yellow H3 since July sometime and finally trying to get around to some custom additions...

Was wondering if anyone had attempted to paint or otherwise colormatch (to the exterior) any of the interior trim? Did a search but didn't come up with anything.

I'm pretty versed in the electronics department, but this is a new step in customization for me... so some basic questions:

What sort of paint and painting procedure would work best for the plastic trim?

Any ideas on how to get color-matched paint?

Anyone have some instructions on removing the dash/door trim etc?

Thanks for any help in advance.

[f5fstop]

Interior trim does take a special paint, or else it will not last or even adhere to the plastic trim. GM used to offer some, not sure if they still do, but it would only be offered in the colors that GM offers for their existing interior colors.
One of GM's divisions tried it a few years ago, and found it was not worth the aggravation. Not that the paint didn't work, the people doing the painting did not apply it correctly. Most of the time a tech was doing the repair, when it should have been sent out to an auto shop for a someone trained in painting.
Eastwood paints, one of the best auto paint manufacturers sells interior paint, designed to paint interior plastic panels. I have never used this paint, but know many other people who have, and all have been satisfied.
Not sure about a color match; depends on the color you are looking for.
Eastwood Paint

[Anonymous]

I should be able to help you with this one, I worked for PPG for 16 years. If you're painting the interior, the hard plastic parts inside are easily painted with the same paints used on the outside. The difference is in the preparation and use of a bonding agent instead of a primer. In the PPG product line, I believe the part number is DSX1900. Its been a while so it might have changed but you'll need something similar. If you use the same paints as the exterior, you need to use a single stage paint instead of the two or three stage paints used on cars today. To match the gloss, you need to use a flattening agent in the paint to reduce glare, especially on dashboards. Hard plastics are pretty easy to paint, they use basically the same plastics inside as they do on the outside. The link that is shown above is for vinyl paints. They work pretty well for things like vinyl roofs but I've never seen them work that well on seat covers or interior vinyl. They just don't last. PPG sells the same products and I wouldn't recommend using any brand. Go to one of the local suppliers that supply the body shops in the area, PPG, Dupont, Sikkens, BASF, all are quality products and someone in the shop will guide you. Stay away from off brands and never use rattle cans. They don't use any catalyst so they aren't as durable, offer no chemical adhesion, and are prone to recoat sensitivity. Also avoid the "hotter" paints, they may soften the plastic that you apply them to. Good luck.

[evomind]

wow...ur in luck...
i was at my dealer the other day and they had a yellow center console and steering wheel trimmed in yellow in their display case of h3 goodies. then they had one on the sales floor trimmed in red. a bit much for me, but it looked nice and very well done.
1-847-882-2200

[justin4fun]

Thanks for the hints ... have to do some research and see what I come up with.