redoing my shadowline & removing rear decklid spoiler

[schmidty]

Im redoing/finishing my shadowline and I know I have heard mixed responses on whether or not to use self-etching primer before applying paint. I've also heard mixed results on whether SEM paint is worth it or if Duplicolor,etc. is just as good. Clear coat afterwards a must.

So lets vote and see what the results are.


Also, I had thought people on here often removed thier rear decklid spoilers but it occured to me the trunk has mounting holes from the spoiler so I guess a complete trunklid from a non "is" is needed if you want to remove your spoiler?

[JasonC]

I used dupli color on my 85, it stuck well in spots but would scratch easy. On my 87 i used SEM and heated up the peice of trim with a small propane torch then painted it. The sem can of paint cost me about $10.

[87Blue325iC]

SEM and self-Etch on my Shadowline, going on 1 yr now, no wear.

[NC325iC]

or you could got a completely different route and run an cab trunk lid, double third brake lights FTW

why would you wanna take the spoiler off, your car would look funny

[thereisnoyun]

chrome

chrome only looks good on black cars. SEM blabalh doesnt really matter, but self etching is a must if you want your paint to stick.

[schmidty]

or you could got a completely different route and run an cab trunk lid, double third brake lights FTW

why would you wanna take the spoiler off, your car would look funny

meh... I like trying new things. I was actually also thinking about painting the spoiler black :D
..but I took it off yesterday to just give the trunk a good cleaning from the 20 years worth of dirt that has collected underneath of it. Boy was that nasty. Gonna need a real good cleaning before I put it back on.


but double third brake light FTL :(

[erik325i]

I think you should get a set of factory 318is shadowline. The paint will chip and flake off eventually if you paint it.
If you must paint it, I vote for using SEM self etching primer and SEM trim paint.

-Erik

[schmidty]

I think you should get a set of factory 318is shadowline.
-Erik

that be expensive yo
DIY FTW

[erik325i]

that be expensive yo
DIY FTW

It's worth it though.
I originally painted mine with SEM stuff, but after a while it started to chip and flake off. Now, I have factory 318is trim, and don't have to worry about it flaking off. The only piece on my car that's painted is the trim on the rear quarter windows.

-Erik

[schmidty]

It's worth it though.
I originally painted mine with SEM stuff, but after a while it started to chip and flake off. Now, I have factory 318is trim, and don't have to worry about it flaking off. The only piece on my car that's painted is the trim on the rear quarter windows.

-Erik

I'll take it into consideration. At least this time around Im gonna give the DIY route another try. Perhaps they will hold up at least until I graduate in May and have the $$$ (or time to find a good used set) to buy some 318is trim.

My guess is the reason mine and yours chipped and flaked off is we didn't do enough prep work (sanding, cleaning with mineral spirits, etc.). Not to insult your shadowlining abilities :p but my guess is if you take the time to do it right you shouldn't have any issues.

I plan on applying a couple more coats this time and then finishing up with a clear coat. Hopefully that will help too :D

[rede30]

where is the elecrical tape option? hehe

[nefarious7907]

Self etching primer is technically not primer you still need to primer them.

[NC325iC]

the ole electrical tape option, my dad did that in the mid 90s to my windsheild trim ring and it held up pretty damn well, i just replaced it last winter

[schmidty]

where is the elecrical tape option? hehe

I just removed that option this weekend... when it gets to be about 100+ degrees out electrical tape tends to lose its stickyness :-/ It left for a nice mess when I peeled it all off though...

[schmidty]

Self etching primer is technically not primer you still need to primer them.

use any kind of regular primer then? should I use it in place of the self etching primer? or after the self-etching primer?