Gloss vs flat paint on door panels??

[77chevystepside]

I am trying to decide whether to use gloss or flat black interior paint on my door panels. Panels have a few minor scratches and may show more with gloss. Also, if I paint the dashpad gloss that may glare a lot. Anyone have advice for me. May be a matter of personal preference but have no experience with these paints so I need help.

[HAULIN IT]

 If you use the code/application (dashboard vs. door panels) at the body supply store, you will find different gloss amounts in allmost all applications. The dash will be the lower one. When painting interior plastic, I feel the gloss is tacky looking & appears to look "painted". Pick up a can of Bulldog adhesion promotor while your there. My Two Cents, Lorne

[78 Chevyrado]

Maybe a satin color.  None of it came totally flat.  They had a "sheen" for lack of a better word.  It should have some gloss, but not much

If you want to get it pretty correct and the best coating for some who doesn't know about how much gloss vs how flat the paint should be (like me)   I'd try SEM brand paint  some people call it dye but its a paint.  Plus it's super easy to use.  I had a couple of small runs on the textured part of my door panels but when it dried the runs had vanished.  I also got it on too thick in a couple of places but again when it dried the texture was still there just like i hadn't overdone it.  amazing stuff IMO....



This is a pic of the black paint in the cupholder insert.  I used a semi-gloss black.  it seems to be pretty close to how the sem red paint did.

[Captkaos]

I agree, Satin is what you are looking for.

[77chevystepside]

Thanks, I am now convinced satin is the way to go. The store I went to had Duplicolor paints and only had black in gloss or flat. I will look around for SEM.

I am thinking about painting the black and the chrome strip in the these door panels yellow matching the truck color. Can a person paint these plastic pieces? I wonder if a person would have to primer them or just rough up lightly and spray them. If I don't paint the black one it will blend in with the black panel and I thought the yellow might be a nice contrast. A picture of the door panel where you can see the black piece as well as the chrome piece is at the link below. Really winging it and not sure what to do. Appreciate your advice as always.

http://picasaweb.google.com/mtnriderlinc/77ChevyStepsideRestoration

[77chevystepside]

I went to a local auto specialty paint shop and was talking to the guy about by interior painting project. Was planning to have them mix some black paint for interior use and then noticed SEM black paint on a shelf. The guy said the stuff works great. Didn't pay any attention because the can says trim paint. When I got it home it reads "exterior trim paint" in the smaller print. Can a person use this or should I go with the interior paint? I was browing Eastwood and discovered they are two distinct applications. I plan to go back today but just wondering if anyone has used the exterior trim paint on the interior and got good results. Thoughts?

[Captkaos]

It will probably work as it is harsher in the elements, but it probably will be flat black.

[77chevystepside]

Decided not to use it. I ordered the right stuff (satin black interior) from them yesterday. Thanks

[GoatBeard]

The problem with flat paint is that it's really soft.  The more sheen a paint has the harder that product is and the longer it'll last.  With Duplicolor you can get a flat black and you can get a black that's more glossy.  The problem with Duplicolor's glossy black is that it's TOO glossy.  After you paint with it you can come back with a red scotch-bright pad and scuff some of the sheen away to make it look more factory.

Most of the Duplicolor products seem to be a satin like you guys are talking about, but the black is the exception. 

Be careful with the SEM -- the first time I used it I wasn't prepared for the spray pattern and the force of the product exiting the can.  Spray it on your cardboard or something not important before you spray your plastic.  It seemed to spray harder or with more force than I was used to with other products.

I posted some more on this in my interior build section.

[77chevystepside]

Interesting to note what you said about SEM paint. I did a quick spray on the back of a door panel just to see what it would do and I will be taking a few practice sprays on cardboard before I do the "real" painting. Thanks for the tip.

[77chevystepside]

I started working on the interior color change yesterday and got a lot done. Although the picture is not good they look really good. Have two coats on them and may need one more coat prior to putting them on. My picasa album now has pictures of the doors, dash pad and arm rests. I also got the visors, air vents and seatbeats done. Moving on to the dash bezel today. SEM paint is great to work with. I did use Dupli Color cleaner as well as prep/primer and I think that made a big difference. I sprayed an area on the back of the door panels without using it and the paint was not sticking well. Only time will tell how it all holds up.

[Skunksmash]

Only time will tell how it all holds up.

Supposedly, SEM is very similar (if not the same) to the original dye/paint that GM used. Maybe someone can point out what GM uses/used to paint their panels, exactly? Anyway, i agree with you it should last many years if they are going to call it interior paint. But most people here seem to love it. So it is the one i will be using as well.

[GoatBeard]

I've noticed a few spots on my panels where the paint I used has come off a little.  It's not in big sheets or really noticeable (yet).  The other good thing is that the panels were red originally -- and I painted them red.  So slightly bad spots aren't as bad as they could be if I would have changed colors on it.

One place where it has REALLY started peeling off is the padded armrest/handle.  I'm sure it's only coming off there because of greasy/dirty hands and constant use.  If that's the only place that comes off, I'll be extremely happy.  As I mentioned somewhere else, if everything looked like the armrest it'd kinda resemble a snake shedding it's skin....when you've painted your entire interior, if it goes bad it's going to be a real mess!   

Let us know how it holds up.

[77chevystepside]

I will let you know how it holds up. I am about three weeks away from installing the interior. I strongly suspect the paint will scratch easily and will probably end up doing some touch up when I put it in. Hate to be negative but just stands to reason. The original stuff got scratched a little so I suspect this will do it too. Can't expect miracles. This truck will not see many miles or rough use.

[GoatBeard]

You could also try to spray a matte clear coat on top of your plastic paint.  If the plastic paint has any sheen to it then the sheen will show through the matte clear.

I would test this in an inconspicuous area first before doing everything.  You could also just use it on places that will get the most wear and tear.