So I decided to make a video myself with the hopes of providing some form of step by step instruction to others out there who may be in the same shoes as I'm in.
I have a 2011 White Scion Xb. I wanted to paint the dashboard of the car white so it matches the exterior color of the car. Plus, I was getting a little tired of looking at the dull grey everyday. :)
This is DAY ONE of the Paint Job.
Your shopping list: - Under $150
- 2 cans of white primer for Vinyl surfaces (ask for quick dry)
- 1 can of your desired color paint (for Vinyl surface)
- 1 can of CLEAR COAT paint
- 1 can of paint thinner (to remove paint from knobs or anything the paint goes on by mistake)
- 1 Large roll of masking tape
- 3 Sheets of 1500 grade sandpaper (for evening out primer coat) - use gently
- 1 sheet of 220 grade sandpaper (for removing stuff that may be stuck to dashboard)
- 2 Newspapers, a roll of scotch tape and a pair of Scissors/pen knife to cut the tape
- A portable electric dryer - if you're doing this in the winter.
- A blanket to cover the front seats
Project Timeline:
Taping - 3 hours
Sanding out any stubborn stuff from the
Step 1: Cover up all the surfaces (windscreen, mirror, turn signal knobs, shift knobs) that WILL NOT be painted with masking tape and newspaper.
Its important to first place the masking tape on the edges so as to maintain perfect straight lines/outlines. The idea is simple. When you start painting, you don't want the paint to get on the radio unit, the steering wheel knobs or the windscreen - so you cover up all the surfaces with tape and newspaper. Also, when you're done painting and you take off the tape - you want to see a straight paint outline. This makes the job look professional and will most likely increase the value of your car after the customization.
In order to achieve this, cut small segments of masking tape - 2-3 inches long and carefully place each of theme along the peripheral of all the edges you want to cover - like say - the windscreen or your gauges. After placing the tape there - use a credit card or any strong plastic card akin to a credit card to push the tape into edge of the surface you wish to cover. So if you're creating a protective border for the windscreen, you want to push the credit card to the lower end of the tape so as to push it below the visible line of where the dashboard meets the windscreen. When you watch the video - this might become more apparent. The entire taping and papering process will take about 3 hours.
Before painting, use an old blanket to cover the front seats. You don't want the paint to mess up your seats or seat covers.
Step 2: Apply 1 coat of Primer (for Vinyl surfaces) - wait 5-10 minutes for it to dry (ask for quick dry Primer from your local auto supply store) and then apply another coat. While spray painting - you should angle the can at least 1 foot away from the intended surface and you should move your hand in a left to right to left motion so as to affect an even coat. Staying in one place too long could make the paint drip and uneven. Believe me, you don't want that - coz its gonna create more work for you. If that does happen, take a sheet of 1500 grade sandpaper and sand that area down so as to make the surface even again. Once that done - you can paint over it again with the primer.
Its best to do this during summer - in warm temperature. If like me, you choose to do it now, in winter, then you want to do this in your garage - with the door closed or use a portable electric heater to create a heated environment in the car. This helps in making the paint dry quicker.
