How many cans do you think needed to paint?

[optimusp517]

Ok here's the list of goodies I plan to paint to black trim color.

-Mirrors
-Windshield wipers plastic trim pieces
-door handles
-rear trunk lip spoiler (from an 325is)
-possibly the b-pillars as well
-probably my euro bumper trims as well

I'm not sure how many cans of rattle can paint I need approximately but I wouldn't mind getting a rough estimate instead of buying too much paint

Also where would be the cheapest place to pick up some SEM black trim paint?

[euroshark]

You are painting the mirrors black???

I think 3 cans should do all that stuff, maybe 4 if you want to be sure... Google will find you SEM paint.

[optimusp517]

well either that or take it to the body shop and have them repaint the mirrors and my lipspoiler along with fixing the dent on the side of my driver side front fender, but that'll cost an arm an a leg or I could just do a temporary look and see how black mirrors would look on my car :) I know certain years/models rocked black mirrors. What do you think?

[KangamangusDriver]

if you are good with your hands you can paint those items yourself.
www.paintscratch.com I believe.

I painted my cup mirrors, side skirts, f.lip and rear apron.
did this all myself, in my driveway. Came out fairly decent!

[optimusp517]

I don't think they carry SEM trim paint? It's duplex? I don't want duplex :P I'm looking at wurth and SEM. gotta do some research myself :)

[optimusp517]

also what grit should I be using to remove all the old stuff?

400 to get rid of the stuff and a 1000 or 1500 to sand it down to a finer material?

[StereoInstaller1]

I'm not sure how many cans of rattle can paint I need

I think 4 would get you done. Might be OK on 3, but when you add the cowl vents, grilles, etc. 4 might not be a bad idea.

where would be the cheapest place to pick up some SEM black trim paint?

Hit your local yellow pages, look up "Automotive Upholstery Supplies" SEM is the major brand in that part of the industry.

I am pretty impressed with Dupli-Color "Bumper Coating", makes a nice satin finish...well, maybe more matte than satin, but a nice finish anyway. They also sell an "adhesion promoter". The SEM might be better, their stuff works great painting dashboard pieces.

When I did the BMW bumpers, I simpy wiped them down with wax and grease remover and sprayed. When I did my Astro bumpers, I used an "Aluminum Finishing Disk" from 3M and my pneumatic angle die grinder to scuff the surface. Then I wiped with wax and grease remover, and sprayed.

The BMW has minor pitting, the Astro is still flawless...at about 4X the miles.

HTH,
Luke

[optimusp517]

Hmmmmm I don't think I'll be able to do the method you did since the piece are so small they'll need to be done by hand. Now I'm thinking 400 grit will work to get the good stuff off, but what about the finisher? should I go with 1000, 1500, or 2000 grit for that?

I found on amazon SEM trim paint is running $7.95/can and that's the best deal I think I've found on them so yeah might be placing an order pretty soon, but I'll definitely call up yellow pages and see if there are locals around the area that'll sell them for cheaper.

[FredK]

To prepare the surface for paint, you want 400 at the finest. If the paint has good coverage, 220 grit is better for adhesion. You wouldn't use 1500 to 2000 grit unless you're wetsanding pieces after you've painted them.

[Jand3rson]

Kind of in the same vein, but slightly OT...

I'm painting my new plastics myself with paint from PaintScratch, and I'm wondering how many cans I'll need? What size are their cans? One of the benefits to owning a Schwarz car is that it's not a hard color to match, and I can save myself a shit-ton of money.

[optimusp517]

Sweet, time to do some price shopping now. I know I'll most likely pay tax from amazon, but 8 bucks a can wonder how much shipping will cost ya know.

400 Grit will do, can't wait to get all the supplies and start prepping everything :)