5a.Once the panel was sanded,...
5a.Once the panel was sanded, Justin wiped it with wax and grease remover to make sure it was clean.
5b.He then taped it to a covered...
5b.He then taped it to a covered table and applied the adhesion promoter. Afterward, it received two to three coats of high-build primer sprayed at 25 to 35 psi. It's best to make sure all of the edges get covered well. The primer was left to set for a few hours, but Justin recommends waiting overnight for best results.
6a.To finish the smoothing...
6a.To finish the smoothing process, Justin used a can of black spray paint to lightly dust the surface.
6b. The black paint acts as a guidecoat to ensure the piece has been sanded smooth. If all of the paint is evenly removed after a light sanding with 400-grit paper, you're ready to move on. If not, you'll have to apply another one to two coats of primer and use the guidecoat to make sure the piece is smooth. When the primer is dry, clean with wax and grease remover one last time.
1.Now that the panel is smooth,...
1.Now that the panel is smooth, it's ready for the paint process. This includes a coat of primer sealer to make sure the basecoat can cover it evenly. Justin raised the piece away from the table to prevent debris from flying up onto the piece.
2.This custom green basecoat...
2.This custom green basecoat was mixed up and sprayed on. Justin used a 2:1 ratio of paint to reducer and as a general rule gives everything three to five coats depending on how well the paint covers. Then, he added two coats of clear mixed in the same ratio as the basecoat. If you have a relatively soft interior piece, you can add a flex agent during the process to make it pliable.
3a.After waiting a minimum...
3a.After waiting a minimum of 12 hours for the paint to dry, it can be color-sanded. Justin started with 1,500-grit sandpaper and moved on to 2,500-grit.
3b.With the sanding finished, he removed the sanding marks with a buffer and compound. For more information on color-sanding and buffing, make sure to pick up a copy of the October '08 issue of Sport Truck, which will feature a full story on the subject.
The Final Word
With meticulous cleaning and prepping, this panel was transformed from an ugly, mass-produced hunk of plastic into a show-worthy interior accent that should last the life of our truck's exterior paintjob.