Finished painting my gauge surround and various other parts in my interior a few days ago. Took some pictures, will have them developed and burned on a cd asap.

Must say, butnut's write up made it extremely easy, as did H-boss'es about removing the door panels.

Thanks for the help, and keep your eyes peeled for my pics.

-J

 

Sweet. Glad to hear your mod was successful!

Can't wait to see the pics.

 

Kool Nerf...I got yer addy, I'll send out the blue meenies this weekend. Now you know how to pull apart the dash, this should be cake. I wanna see those pics!
butnut

 

Yeah, I can't wait to see the pictures! I am excited to see them. What type of paint did you use? Thanks! :fireman:

 

Okay question, which parts did you paint and what color?? I wonder if I could just paint the parts silver instead of getting a dash kit.....It wouldn't be shiny though... ...what to do, what to do.....

 

You'll see what I painted when I post the pics tommorow afternoon.

As for taking the dash kit route, it's alot more predictable, (i.e i had a few problems with my paint and will be re-ordering certain parts to repaint and install them) And you obviously cant paint a dash surround in carbon fiber or Burlwood, your limited to whole colors. Take a look at the dash kits Jason Burtman offers, and then decide if you want to go the proff route, or the do it yourself.

 

Well I wanted a aluminum dash trim, so I think maybe I could just order a aluminum dash trim and paint the parts that the dash trim doesn't cover........

 

Hey Sleepy. Plastic can be painted. I've shot mopeds which is a softer plastic, in automotive colors and topped off with a urethane clearcoat. Mega gloss...like butta. Also, dash kits, like mine, cover only the top surface, the sides are all exposed to the factory plastic color. I don't mind, but an aluminum kit will show alot of the grey plastic on the main and shifter console. Hey Nerf, why are you ordering new parts? Just sand the paint (I'm assuming it got messed up?) with final grit 400 or 600, prime, and shoot all over. It's OK to build a few more coats with sanding inbetween.
butnut

 

Okay, so you're saying that if I paint it and then use the gloss finish it would be shiny and I wouldn't have to buy a dash kit????????????

 

Well, unless you wanna paint every little piece...vents, power window panels, under gauge, cup holders, handbrake suround yada, yada...lots of stuff in the kit. Kit is the way to go, but you will see some of that Toyota plastic.
butnut

 

I did sand, but to no avail.

 

Hey Nerf, what kinda paint did you use? Did it react with the plastic? Sometimes if you wait (a week) the paint should be hard enough to resand...sand too early and the paint will gum up...real messy. Pics look real good. I am curious about that paint...
butnut

 

I waited about umm..lets see...a hour Before I re-sanded the parts. How expensive do you think they will be at a stealer?

The flaws are miniscule dude, but I'm a perfectionist.:rolleyes:

 

I have a feeling...not inexpensive (I like saying that). You should try sanding it. I'll bet it's hard enough and will sand smoothly. Start with a 320 or 400 and see. If it powders nicely, I'm sure it will be flawless when you respray. Good luck...you waited an Hour?...hmmm, I'll bet you like to touch wet paint with your finger to see if it's dry? LOL Painters trick, always paint a piece of masking tape along with the item painted. If you have to do the finger test, touch the tape.
butnut

 

You got me pegged nut, I'm also the kind of guy that stands at your passenger door while your trying to unlock it, and seems to pull the handle at just the right moment each time so that my door doesn't unlock, while blaming you the entire time.


Ill give the sanding a try

Please dont let me post this late anymore

 

hehe...nighty night! sweet dreams of silver painted clouds....