another interior paint question

[txhardhittaz]

can you use bondo or fiberglass to smooth out interior pieces instead of sanding them smooth?

[chiefn10]

yes, i have a 1985 k-10, and the dash had all kinds of cracks in it. i just got some filler puddy and filled on the cracks and sanded it smooth. i then covered it with felt to give it a better appearance, but you can do whatever you want to with it.

[mveale05]

Use a thick layer-building primer. I think I remember someone saying thats a better way to do it, because the bondo doesn't want to stick to the plastic.

[Blue94]

that is correct.... bondo and fiberglass will not stick to plastic. yes someone will then come here and say it will stick to plastic when infact it wont. ive tried many methods of fixing plastics on wrecked bikes and it doesnt work. plastic weld and jb weld work good for fillin the cracks as you can sand them when your done.

[thekl0wn]

Here's a good tutorial:

http://fiberglassforums.com/showthread.php?t=193

[Sweet Tea Man]

sand the plastics with 180 on a DA or 220 by hand. you dont have to sand all the texture off.

spray an adhesion promotor over the plastics and use a high build primer. block out the primer and reprime if necessary. then paint.

some of my plastics sanded:


primed:



painted:






installed:




i might write up a tech article about smoothing and painting plastics and have it put as a sticky here on the forum. i'll ask matty about it.

[1Bad454]

Thats pretty sick man.

[buff]

what did you do to the padding around the instrument cluster to get it like that? Is it still soft or did you build it up with fiberglass or something?

[Sweet Tea Man]

i did the process above except i put a flex additive in each thing i sprayed on it.

[txhardhittaz]

thanks,i'll post pics when i'm done

btw sanding sucks!!!!!!

[Silv3rado Own3r]

I was told there was no need to prime? Just scuff and use dupont adhessive then paint? Any of this true

[snowed500]

I wouldn't paint without primer. Are u going for the smooth look or textured? For smooth sand, flex agent, prime, guide coat, paint.

[Silv3rado Own3r]

I am wanting smooth as smooth can get, what kind of primer?

[Beyond Static©]

polyester primer is the route I'd go. It sprays and builds real thick. Just make sure to use adhesion promoter before spraying.

[mrflames]

Originally Posted by Southern Concepts

i did the process above except i put a flex additive in each thing i sprayed on it.

did you add the flex to all the parts are just the soft ones. and what are those seats out of

[Sweet Tea Man]

flex was added to the rubber part around the gauge cluster. the rest of the pieces dont move and i got them in place with minimal movement. i've heard most people recommend it on all plastic applications, but i'd really only do it on most flexible plastics. not on rigid ones.

i'm with beyond static with the primer. a good polyester primer is a great help in doing this. BUT, remember you still need to sand down the texture some, and also spray an adhesion promotor BEFORE anything. a through cleaning is needed too if you boys use armor all.

[mrflames]

thanks i just got done takin the hole interior out of an 89 donor truck that i got. i thought i would start with it so i dont have to tare my truck down to do it. that way also with all the parts are paint its amatter of just pulling the old ones out and puting the new ones in. now if i could just decide on what color

[Sweet Tea Man]

thats what i did. all the pieces i painted were from the 88 project truck interior. i just did the 'ol swap-a-roo. be careful when you do the dash if its a different year model. GM has 3 different plugs i think for the gauge cluster. i know it was different from the 93 for the 88 dash i put in. just FYI nothing an air saw cant fix though

[mrflames]

both trucks are the same yr

[Beyond Static©]

I'll have a few pics up later of how mine came out. I DA'd the dash with 80 grit, and stripped the rubber crap off of the trim pieces, and got them looking good with fiberglass. I have everything ready but the glovebox door, which is giving me hell.