painting shadowline

[BDSax]

is it best to paint on the car or off? im worried about the roof liner that when i put the joint clip in it will scratch the rear section

[Huff]

Yes. Get new sail fin gromets from the dealer.

[delatlanta1281]

is it best to paint on the car or off? im worried about the roof liner that when i put the joint clip in it will scratch the rear section

Joke?

[jflip2002]

Paint while on, and dont use masking tape.

[ZM Blue Devil]

If you are going to paint, its going to chip in a matter of weeks, so risk of scratching is not an issue.

[Replicam3cabrio]

Just get them powder coated, once they chip they look like crap.

[VacMan]

If you are going to paint, its going to chip in a matter of weeks, so risk of scratching is not an issue.

Sorry Levent, but I beg to differ. If you prep properly and use the right products there is no reason it should chip. We did the 325is we bought my brother-in-law and the entire job is still fleck-free 6 months later. We sanded, cleaned, and used multiple coats of SEM trim paint. We also painted it off the car.

Tim

[Danny]

I painted mine on.

Look great for 2 months, sure it would have lasted longer.

[golde30]

If you are going to paint, its going to chip in a matter of weeks, so risk of scratching is not an issue.

i have to disagree with this as well. i painted mine ON THE CAR about 3 years ago, and only one section that i probably didnt sand as well started chipping after about 2 years. its all about prepping the surface well, and using the rite paint.

clean, sand, wipe down with acetone, paint with duplicolor high temp engine enamel semi-gloss black. looks great and lasts.

[der affe]

the originals were painted, so if properly done it should not be an issue

[e30s52]

it lasted two years on my old e30. i did it on the car and got some paint on the window lol.

[Dozyproductions]

I don't know why people haven't mentioned using the extra pre caution of using black primer/sealer? Definitely doesn't hurt.

After using SEM trim paint I definitely would like to try some thing different. I just don't like how it reflects water or how it seems to catch dust.

[Huff]

The best way that I've found is to take your time. Take the trim off and sand the chrome (start at a higher grit 600, then go to medium finish grit). Then use a good dark primer (I use SEM self-etching). After primed, go ahead and make sure everything is still smooth; it you have a run or still has rough spot, sand the primer with a higher grit sand paper. Once your satisfied with that, tack all the dust/ dirt off of the trim and spray with SEM trim black. Do exactly as the SEM instructions say. Your shadow line will last forever... Again, I recommend new sail fin grommets (a few dollars from the dealer when putting the trim back on the body).


Or spray that sucker on with some Walmart Krylon... Masking tape is optional.

[BDSax]

im painting my whole car and all the trim is already off. thats the reason why i asked. i have been using SEM self etching primer and trim paint. i ordered all new clips and all i asked is if i should paint with the roof trim on.

[jflip2002]

OR you can buy trim for a 91 318is.