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I bought a new Ecotric bezel and decided to paint it with Duplicolor Vinyl & Fabric paint.
1) Scuffed surface with red scotch pad
2) Washed with dish soap and let dry
3) Sprayed 2 light coats of Duplicolor adhesion promoter following timing instructions
4) Sprayed many very light coats of the Vinly & Fabric paint.
I am getting spots where the paint seems to look like alligator skin or spider webbing.
This is the second bezel I have purchased to paint. The first one I used a different brand adhesion promoter which is what I thought caused the issue. The spider webbing seems to be worse the more paint is applied but the last time I am putting very light coats and still see it happening just a lot smaller.
If you sanded before you washed it you most likely ground in whatever chemical was used to treat the bezel in the past. i.e. Armorall, Mequires, etc. These usually contain silicone which is impossible to paint over. Removing the paint will be a pain but necessary to properly prepare the surface. Id try Acetone first, a lacquer thinner may damage the plastic. Try these on the backside first to see if they effect the plastic. Sanding it off is another option. Once removed begin with a chemical wash with an automotive wax and grease remover, acetone or denatured alcohol. Then repaint following the steps you used before. Good luck.
I used the EXACT same paint on the same bezel and it turned out TERRIBLY. Exact same experience. It looked like alligator skin all over. I sanded it, washed it and painted again with the exact same issue.
I ended up removing the paint again and using plasti dip which turned out perfectly. The feel is the same as the dash.
Last edited by Smykster; Apr 13, 2023 at 03:49 PM.
Every time I use Rust-Oleum that happens, lots of good technical info as to why.
However I NEVER use Rust-Oleum - end of problem. Not a technical reason, but works.
The ONLY paint to use on interior panels is SEM Color Coat.
Begin with their Prep Soap, which is abrasive (like a slurry). Follow up with their Plastic & Leather Cleaner which should get rid of the protectants on the part, then a light coat of their Adhesion Promoter. Start with 2 light base coats of the Satin Black Color Coat and then you can lay a heavier coat on it. Follow these steps and the finish is perfect. My '96 C4 had the soft touch paint on all the interior panels and it turns to garbage over time. I soaked the panels in nail polish remover and the paint floated-off the panels. I used this process to refinish them and it was so good that when the car was judged both regionally and nationally in the NCRS, not one judge could tell they were refinished, and the car earned Top Flight awards.
I used this process on my C5 steering wheel. The previous owner must have worn a ring guard on their ring and there were serrations around the entire wheel. I cleaned the wheel with the SEM products (it took 4 rags to get it clean after all the years of hands on it!). I used a leather filler to, essentially, body-fill the leather and then sanded it. It took 4 layers of the filler followed by sanding before I was satisfied with it, and then applied multple coats of Satin Black Color Coat and the wheel appears as new.
The ONLY paint to use on interior panels is SEM Color Coat.
Begin with their Prep Soap, which is abrasive (like a slurry). Follow up with their Plastic & Leather Cleaner which should get rid of the protectants on the part, then a light coat of their Adhesion Promoter. Start with 2 light base coats of the Satin Black Color Coat and then you can lay a heavier coat on it. Follow these steps and the finish is perfect. My '96 C4 had the soft touch paint on all the interior panels and it turns to garbage over time. I soaked the panels in nail polish remover and the paint floated-off the panels. I used this process to refinish them and it was so good that when the car was judged both regionally and nationally in the NCRS, not one judge could tell they were refinished, and the car earned Top Flight awards.
I used this process on my C5 steering wheel. The previous owner must have worn a ring guard on their ring and there were serrations around the entire wheel. I cleaned the wheel with the SEM products (it took 4 rags to get it clean after all the years of hands on it!). I used a leather filler to, essentially, body-fill the leather and then sanded it. It took 4 layers of the filler followed by sanding before I was satisfied with it, and then applied multple coats of Satin Black Color Coat and the wheel appears as new.
I've used both this and colorbond with great results.
Adhesion Promoter applies after using microfiber towel with denatured alcohol. 1st light coat after adhesion promoter 2nd coat VHT plastic paint. (Very close match to OEM paint finish)
This was applied in my shop, definitely not an ideal paint booth environment, but came out quite well. I have yet to install the new stereo, and trim but I am pleased with the finish so far.
Problems painting bezel
