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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

Painting the interior problems

  • Thread starter Thread starter Reyyyyab
  • Start date Start date Apr 21, 2020
R

Reyyyyab

Member
Mar 16, 2020
98
7
8
South Carolina
Apr 21, 2020
#1
  • Apr 21, 2020
  • #1
So I’ve tried painting the interior black & failed 4 times. The paint comes off extremely easy. What paint is the best? Im tired of painting it over & over again with the same results. Any tips?
 

Kabuki_notch

Founding Member
Nov 19, 2001
670
394
113
Rochester, NY
Apr 22, 2020
#2
  • Apr 22, 2020
  • #2
I just redid my interior using SEM paint, it's all in the prep, i washed each part with warm water and dish soap, and let it air dry. Then I used the SEM Vinyl Prep it's supposed to soften the plastic, remove any contaminants and basically prep for the paint. these pics are before I did the dash which i did a couple days ago also don't mind the ecu hanging this was before mounting it.

**edit found an old pic at the bottom of the day i got the car
 

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Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,345
18,074
224
Massachusetts
Apr 22, 2020
#3
  • Apr 22, 2020
  • #3
I've used SEM paint on a few panels (the cupholder console) with good luck and little wear. The key is prep.

Soap and water, scuff the panel, vinyl prep and paint.
 
5

50notch90

Member
Jun 3, 2006
10
22
13
Greenville IN
Apr 22, 2020
#4
  • Apr 22, 2020
  • #4
I went from porno red to black and like the others have said it's all in the prep. I used SEM and had good results. You cannot get it too clean. I washed and scuffed mine several times. Before applying the vinyl prep I wiped it down with rubbing alcohol to make sure it was clean. Wax and grease remover should also work or may not be necessary. I think there is a different prep to use when doing hard vinyl like a console versus the soft, like your door panels. I could be wrong on that but the label should say. I wore latex gloves to make sure my oily fingers didn't get on it.

Pay attention to the humidity as well. I had to redo one of my rear panels that looked weird and I think it was the humidity. Good luck.
 
R

Reyyyyab

Member
Mar 16, 2020
98
7
8
South Carolina
Apr 22, 2020
#5
  • Apr 22, 2020
  • #5
Can i do all that in the car or take the parts back out? I had them out when i was painting them but im so frustrated I’ll just paint them inside my car. I want to drive it already lol. With the vinyl prep, do i scrub it off of let it dry on the plastic?
 

BlakeusMaximus

Still got to try a little lube on my speedo head
5 Year Member
Jul 12, 2017
2,477
1,349
173
Apr 22, 2020
#6
  • Apr 22, 2020
  • #6
Take it all back out and do it again. Unless you want to do it again after that.
 

Potomus Pete

I'm still waiting for the fully nude shots
5 Year Member
Mar 7, 2019
3,346
1,247
153
Sarasota Florida
Apr 22, 2020
#7
  • Apr 22, 2020
  • #7
When it doesnt stick the first time later coats wont stick any better. You need to get it off
 

91TwighlightGT

20+ Year Stangneter
Sep 8, 2002
1,190
375
124
Missouri
Apr 22, 2020
#8
  • Apr 22, 2020
  • #8
A big problem is that people put things like Armor All on their interior pieces. You have to clean the surface of all contaminants or it will not adhere well. As the others said, clean the panels several times. I used Dawn dish soap, I had the water as hot as I could stand it (I used rubber gloves) and then I hit it all with a gray scotchbrite pad to scuff the surface. I wouldn't use anything more harsh than the gray scotchbrite because if you over sand the surface you could remove the texture. Once you have done that it will not look right.

After that, just make sure that you spray it in good weather conditions - low humidity, 70 degree days are perfect. I don't recommend spraying in direct sunlight. Build up light coats, pay attention to the recommended flash times, and try not to handle things for at least 24 hours if possible. I've also had good experiences with the SEM branded paint as others have mentioned.
 
R

Reyyyyab

Member
Mar 16, 2020
98
7
8
South Carolina
Apr 22, 2020
#9
  • Apr 22, 2020
  • #9
Sounds good. So whats the steps for the vinyl prep? & how long should i wait before painting?....another question, the black i bought turned out more gray than black & it doesn’t match the black from the cupholder console i bought from lmr. What black will match it?
 
J

junkyardwarrior

Well-Known Member
Jan 10, 2011
400
113
63
Apr 22, 2020
#10
  • Apr 22, 2020
  • #10
Look on SEM's web page. It gives you the steps. Remove and disassemble all panels you want painted. Wash and I mean get ALL of everything off of it including any paint/dye that's already on it (and that can be a real bear) Sandfree. Wax and grease remover. Adhesion promoter then color. If you take your time and be VERY thorough, it'll turn out great but that is the key-you have to follow through each step. It is not a spray and forget deal, there is a lot of work to do.

I did most of my interior and actually it was fairly easy once the panels are all out of the car. Dash, everything. My problem--I bought a cup holder console and it needed to be titanium (90-92 color only). Great, did some researching and found that SEM "Ladera" is real close-and it is, but it's not perfect and that bothered me. Next thing I did was the console itself so it matched the cup holder. Great. Now the console doesn't match the faded armrest and then there's a little bit of mismatch at the dash. So out everything came and I went ahead & did everything but the door panels which I ain't figured out if I'm gonna try to fix these or get some decent used ones. The rest of the interior is nice but the door panels are kind of an eyesore
 

Boostedpimp

20+ Year Stangneter
May 8, 2003
1,451
493
154
NJ
Apr 23, 2020
#11
  • Apr 23, 2020
  • #11
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvyiK57uzuo&feature=emb_rel_end
 
R

Reyyyyab

Member
Mar 16, 2020
98
7
8
South Carolina
Apr 23, 2020
#12
  • Apr 23, 2020
  • #12
Another question i forgot to ask, what about the metal parts that hold the headliner? Whats the procedure?
 

BlakeusMaximus

Still got to try a little lube on my speedo head
5 Year Member
Jul 12, 2017
2,477
1,349
173
Apr 24, 2020
#13
  • Apr 24, 2020
  • #13
Reyyyyab said:
Another question i forgot to ask, what about the metal parts that hold the headliner? Whats the procedure?
Click to expand...
They are attached with the metal clips. Just got to get it started and pull down evenly. Gotta pull kinda hard to get them out.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,345
18,074
224
Massachusetts
Apr 24, 2020
#14
  • Apr 24, 2020
  • #14
SEM Landau Black (#15013) is what I used to paint my cupholder console. It's pretty close to OEM black, but you'll never get it to match 30 year old panels perfectly. SEM also has Satin Black (15243) and Gloss black (15233)

The only painted peice in this photo is the cupholder top plate in the console. The main console and everything else is original black. As you can see it matches quite well.



The key is prep. Soap and water, let it dry. Scuff with scotch brite pad, then repeat soap and water wash and let dry. Handle with gloves to avoid human oils being transferred. Paint with thin light coats 15-20 min apart in conditions indicated on the can. Let dry for an extended period of time.

I can take my fingernail and try and scratch the cupholder piece and it won't. I've very impressed and I used to not be a fan of painted interior parts.
 
R

Reyyyyab

Member
Mar 16, 2020
98
7
8
South Carolina
Apr 24, 2020
#15
  • Apr 24, 2020
  • #15
BlakeusMaximus said:
They are attached with the metal clips. Just got to get it started and pull down evenly. Gotta pull kinda hard to get them out.
Click to expand...
I mean how do u paint it? Same steps like the plastic & vinyl? Or something different
 
R

Reyyyyab

Member
Mar 16, 2020
98
7
8
South Carolina
Apr 24, 2020
#16
  • Apr 24, 2020
  • #16
Mustang5L5 said:
SEM Landau Black (#15013) is what I used to paint my cupholder console. It's pretty close to OEM black, but you'll never get it to match 30 year old panels perfectly. SEM also has Satin Black (15243) and Gloss black (15233)

The only painted peice in this photo is the cupholder top plate in the console. The main console and everything else is original black. As you can see it matches quite well.



The key is prep. Soap and water, let it dry. Scuff with scotch brite pad, then repeat soap and water wash and let dry. Handle with gloves to avoid human oils being transferred. Paint with thin light coats 15-20 min apart in conditions indicated on the can. Let dry for an extended period of time.

I can take my fingernail and try and scratch the cupholder piece and it won't. I've very impressed and I used to not be a fan of painted interior parts.
Click to expand...
Hopefully i have your luck. 5th time should be the charm lol
 

91TwighlightGT

20+ Year Stangneter
Sep 8, 2002
1,190
375
124
Missouri
Apr 24, 2020
#17
  • Apr 24, 2020
  • #17
The metal pieces I would scuff with 1000 grit sandpaper, wash thoroughly, then paint.
 

Coast2CoaStang

Member
Aug 11, 2008
254
4
19
Apr 25, 2020
#18
  • Apr 25, 2020
  • #18
As stated, clean is the keyword. I also like to use Bulldog adhesion promoter prior to top coating with SEM colors.
 
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