Spraying Air Grills

[JHead]

1. Is it easy?

2. Are they easy to remove/reinstall before/after painting?

3. How many different components can they be taken apart into? (without breaking them) [to be able to get a good paint coverage on all parts]

and yes i am a total noob at painting and everything!! :L cheers,

 

[Chapster5]

Take a picture of the grill dude and post it up with marks on where you want to paint.

 

[JHead]

so i have found a pic of a clio dash and highlighted around the areas i want to paint

 

[Chapster5]

For them I think you would have to take the top of your dash off and might reveal screws underneath for the centre section you want to paint. There are 3 torx (T20?) screws along the front of the dash in your vent by the windscreen. One in the centre and 2 either side by the pillars.

Pull away the door seal (black rubber strip) from the side of the dashboard (bother sides driver and passenger doors) and you'll see 2 more screws hat it gives access to. Now once they are removed underneath the steering wheel on the plastic surround there is 3 more holes 2 near the front (steering wheel side) and 1 near the back (pedal side) remove these 3 screws and unclip the cowling.

After the cowling is removed at the bottom of the clocks (speedo and revs) is 2 more screws to remove 1 at each side. Next up grip the windscreen vent where the first 3 screws you removed are and pull towards you and lift out the top of the dash. From there you should be able to remove the parts you desire.

As for painting you'll NEED a plastic primer or normal spray paint WILL NOT stick. Rough the parts with say 800 grit emery cloth (buy packs of various grades from halfrauds). Until the parts are no longer shiny, then give them a wipe down with some water to remove any remaining dust. Dry COMPLETELY) before even attempting to paint. Spray nice light even coats over the part don't go mad or it will run it will build up dont worry don't panic if it looks crap with the plastic primer. What I tend to do it wait 15 minutes between coats then go again with another light coat. After the fourth coat of primer let it dry for about half an hour to an hour always seemed to be sufficient for me give it a slight rub over with 1000 grit wet and dry very light to remove any unwanted dust and bumps that might have appeared even paint spats.

Now once you've dont that wipe the part down with water again and dry thoroughly now your ready to paint with the desired colour. Repeat the same process with the paint as you did with the primer and it should be fine although after the 4th later of paint wait 24HOURS before even attempting to flat the paint of any dust or imperfections also instead of 1000 use 1500 as a quick once over then go back over with 2000 grit with plenty of water this time and a bit of washing up liquid this will give it a slightly polished look. You might want to lacquer too but that's entirely up to you mate.

Reassemble as you took it apart and your all good admire your handy work.

Also note I am not liable for any damage that maybe caused through any of the above steps. Take the paint process as a guideline I'm just saying what's worked for me in the past. Also keeping the parts as warm as possible when curing seemed to help a lot when I did my front badges between every paint coat I put it on a radiator on full blast for 15 mins that seemed to cool the paint. Remember prep is important for a great finish don't rush take your time and have fun.

Nick

 

[JHead]

cheers mate starting to sound fiddly in the air vents already! i'm glad i'm gonna be sourching all the parts i want to paint as spares, so i have all original parts to go back in for resale! :L then atleast if i ruin the painting i dont have to disassemble the dash like you say until i get the finish i desire! :L

thanks for the advice

 

[Chapster5]

No worries bud. It sounds fiddly and complex but once you start and have a look about the dash it's easy I got my dash down to 2 minutes to take the top off. Really easy mate.

 

[JHead]

yeah i mean the sanding etc of the grills!! :L

 

[Chapster5]

Ahhh yeah, painting you need a good 24 - 36 hours of free time to do it properly.