DailyDrivenTJ-Painting Faded Black Trims

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Painting Faded Trim Pieces, Ver. 1

Restore That Old New Look! ◆◇◇◇ Easy

Introduction

My TJ was showing the age after beaten down by the sun for years. The powder coat on the door handle was peeling, door plastic trims have faded to a gray color. I didn't like it to look like POS, I decided to do some painting.

After some research, I found several options to paint the trim pieces. For the door handles which are made of metal, I decided to strp the powder coat with the paint stripper, prepare the surface, apply the primer then apply the final coat. As far as the plastic pieces go, I found this textured plastic paint that *really bonds to the plastic without any priming.

I have painted faded fender flares about 4 years ago, but at the time, there wasn't special paint that is made specifically for plastic without priming. But there was 3 step bumper coat system from Pepboys which comprised of adhesion promotor which dries tacky, gray primer for final paints to attach to, and finally the satin black finish went on the top. It held up fine for a long time, now after spending last 4 years in AZ, FL, TX, and GA. It started to peel just recently. However, I have to say they still look better than grayed flares.

I found there are several brand of paints that offer plastic paint that don't require special priming on the surface: I used the Rustoleum Textured Plastic paint, but there are name brand paint such as Krylon plastic paint, Duplicolor... to name a couple. They really do bond to the surface like glue.

When I paint, I like to have the part removed. This helps me concentrate on painting evenly across the surface and not have to worry about spraying neighboring parts. Another thing is, I found that removing the parts is easier and faster than to mask the surrounding area for the paint job.

One thing to remember with any paint job is that, prepping the surface is 95% of the job. You not only have to remove any loose dirts and oxidation, but also make the surface free of oil and grease. If you have been applying protectant such as Armor-all, then I wouldn't even think about painting in the next couple of weeks. I would let that thing bake outside under the sun for a few weeks and then I would prep the surface by scrubbing it down with a new dish scrubbing pad to removal loose materials on the surface and wipe with the paint surface prep agent right before painting.

Tools & Parts Needed

Rustoleum Textured Plastic Paint (From Lowes or Home Depot: ~$5)

American Tradition Ultra Enamel Primer, Fast Dry (~$5)

American Tradition Ultra Enamel Gloss Black, Fast Dry (~$5)

Kleen Strip, Aircraft Remover (~$6)

Goof-off Prepaint (~$5)

Job Hours

Depends on the paint drying time.

Procedure

Painting Door Handles/Knobs

* If you can remove the parts you are painting, ALWAYS remove them and paint.

1. Remove the door panel to get access to the pin for the door release mechanism. Remove the clip.

2. This picture shows what the clip looks like. DO NOT LOSE THIS CLIP! Put it somewhere safe!

3. Remove the jamming pin. The location of the pins are shown. Take a flat head screw driver and place it on the bottom of the pin and tap it upward. It will pop up. The picture is taken from the top to show what they look like. You should be able to access the pin from the holes located on the door.

4. This picture shows what the pin looks like. DO NOT LOSE THESE PINS! Put them somewhere safe! *There is no left or right.

5. These pictures show what it looks like after pins are removed. You should be able to remove the door handle.

6. This is what the door handle looks like once removed from the door. Remove the rubber gaskets fron the door handle as shown on the right.

7. Using the paint remover shown. Spray it all over the door handle.

8. Let it sit for about 10-15 min. The paint will bubble up so you can peel it off, leaving a good surface for me to prep and paint.

9. Prep the surface by wiping with the prepping agent. Let the surface dry!

Before you start spraying, make sure the surface is bone dry! When you start spray painting, position the nozzle about 10-12 inches away from the object you are trying to paint. Start spraying to the side, off of the object you are trying to paint and then move across the object at a steady pace so the paint will cover some area on its path. As you move off to the side of the object, stop spraying. Then restart spraying to the side, off of the object being painted then move across just as you have done. You repeat this motion.

In other words, NEVER start spraying or stop spraying directly on the object being painted; this will help creating the even coat. As you move back and forth, don't try to cover the whole area with one path. I usually make about 7-8 path to barely cover a little area, just enough to acquire the color I am trying to get.

10. Once the surface is dry from the prepping agent, spray the gray primer. This will help the paint adhere better. If you have gotten the "fast dry" version, you will not have to watch the paint dry for long. Mine dried in about 5-10 minutes, but the wait time will vary with temperature and humidity.

11. Now the picture here shows how much paint I used in a couple of spray paths to cover the handle. Using about the same rate and amount of spray paint coverage, make multiple paths to cover the whole door handle. You will have to move the spraying pattern side to side, up and down. Let it dry for a few hours minimum.

12. Once dried, reinstall by reversing the removal procedure. Enjoy your shiny door handle!

Painting Door Trims

* If you can remove the parts you are painting, ALWAYS remove them and paint.

1. First, remove the weather strip for the window.

2. Remove the plastic piece from the door as shown.

3. This is what they looked like before the painting.

4. Prep the surface by scrubbing with the dish scrubbing pad to remove the loose dirt and oxidation. Wipe the surface with the prepping agent.

5. These are after pictures. Make sure you give enough time to dry. You don't want to touch it prematurely and leave a finger print on a welll painted surface. *TIP: Painted one side at a time. Paint one side, get it dried and flip over to paint the other side!

6. Reverse the removal procedure to reinstall the trims.

If you have any questions or recommendations, please let me know!!

Disclaimer

I tried my best to document as much as possible along with pictures. I hope you find them useful. However, do use the information provided here "as-is". DailyDrivenTJ.com or the author does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, or process disclosed. Use the information at your own risk.

Written by Michael on 8.6.2006.

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