What paint(s) are best used

[Mark One]

Best used for painting the shroud in a cluster?

[mattp]

I'm about to do the same thing, just use a plastic primer, give it a sand, then use your colour. Once the primer's on you should be able to use any paint you like for your colour coat. Whether or not you use clear over the top is up to you, but it's probably not necessary. Cheers, Matt.

[Norton]

Originally Posted by Mark One

Best used for painting the shroud in a cluster?

I have found that the plastic dyes work the best, not a paint but a spray on dye. Should be available at the auto paint store.

Goes on better and will not scratch off like paint can, don't need to prime and sand also.

Norton

[Mark One]

Humm spray on plastic dye.

[AU dude]

I sprayed my centre dash using normal car paint. First I cleaned it with paint thinners, the sanded it, then paint thinners again, then used a primer, the 3 coats of car paint, then 2 coats of clear. All was sprayed using the compressor and air gun for a prefect finish. Then used toothpaste to buff and cut it back.

[Norton]

Originally Posted by Mark One

Humm spray on plastic dye.

Called "VHT Penetrating plastic dye"

Costs about $12 per can.

I did an entire car dash with different surfaces, plastic etc. worked very well with no primer, sanding, etc.

Good clean down with metho or prepsol, 2 to 3 coats ........All done!!

I kept the car for approx. 2 years and it still looked perfect.

[mattp]

Hey Norton, does that work going from dark to light though? For example, if I want my black dash shroud to be silver?

[Mark One]

I'm done, used plastic primer and the paint that goes with it. Also my cluster lights up red as well ;)

[Norton]

Originally Posted by mattp

Hey Norton, does that work going from dark to light though? For example, if I want my black dash shroud to be silver?

Don't know.......I used black over tan.

Best to ask a Auto paint store. Sorry I can't be of more assistance.

[AU dude]

Originally Posted by Mark One

....Also my cluster lights up red as well ;)

What bulbs did you use to make it do that?

[Mark One]

I used tail light bulb dye on the cluster lights.

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by mattp

Hey Norton, does that work going from dark to light though? For example, if I want my black dash shroud to be silver?

probably wouldnt come out the way it should, it'd be a darker version of the colour you were after. if youre going from dark to light colours,prime it and paint it.

[Norton]

Originally Posted by b2tf

probably wouldnt come out the way it should, it'd be a darker version of the colour you were after. if youre going from dark to light colours,prime it and paint it.

I agree.......I would only use the dye method going light to dark.

It does work well though, in the right application.

[AU dude]

Originally Posted by Mark One

I used tail light bulb dye on the cluster lights.

I never knew there was such a thing, did you use this on the whole cluster face clear plastic?

[JefXR8]

Like a few peeps have said just scuff it back with some scotchbrite sorta like a scourer pad then put some plastic primer over it then paint it,looks the best by far!

[mattp]

Originally Posted by JefXR8

Like a few peeps have said just scuff it back with some scotchbrite sorta like a scourer pad then put some plastic primer over it then paint it,looks the best by far!

Yeah that's what I'll be doing. I'm going to go with a chrome / shadow chrome finish I reckon, see how it comes out. I've got a spare busted cluster lying around to practice on anyway. Cheers.

[Mark One]

Originally Posted by AU dude

I never knew there was such a thing, did you use this on the whole cluster face clear plastic?

I dyed each bulb by itself.