TheSamba.com :: View topic - Repainting interior bits

Mon Aug 18, 2008 12:47 pm

Firstly, mods if this is in the wrong place, feel free to move. It is about a type-3 part, but it'd maybe be better suited somewhere else. Honestly I get such good help in here that I'm sure I'll get a response.

Alright, to my question: I was changing out the weatherstripping on the back deck of my square when I found some surface rust. I removed a small plastic piece from the inside of the hatch, and it's badly miscolored:

This thing is almost orange, but it started life as light beige. What is the best way to clean it up? Could it just be cleaned, and if so, what should I use? Would painting be the right route? If so, what should I prep with, and is there any sort of paint you'd recommend?

Thanks in advance!

Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:25 pm

dommer wrote: Firstly, mods if this is in the wrong place, feel free to move. It is about a type-3 part, but it'd maybe be better suited somewhere else. Honestly I get such good help in here that I'm sure I'll get a response.

Alright, to my question: I was changing out the weatherstripping on the back deck of my square when I found some surface rust. I removed a small plastic piece from the inside of the hatch, and it's badly miscolored:

This thing is almost orange, but it started life as light beige. What is the best way to clean it up? Could it just be cleaned, and if so, what should I use? Would painting be the right route? If so, what should I prep with, and is there any sort of paint you'd recommend?

Thanks in advance!

I painted my hinge covers black.... then I bought an early metal hinge cover that is one piece and covers both hinges.... that I had blasted and powder-coated...

Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:35 pm

Just clean it with carb cleaner, and keep it OG, the way it is. I've found out that painting old pieces like that just fucks it all up.

Clean and keep original, it has more character that way anyway.

Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:37 pm

If you DO paint it, and if it's hard plastic, use the Krylon paint made to bond with plastic.

The problem is that the old plastic often has a loose surface layer that has dried and will flake off. Paint can't fix that, and the paint will flake off along with the old plastic when it is bent or scraped. If it is smooth, you can carefully sand off the bad plstic, then paint with special Krylon. If it's pebble-finish, you can't do that well.

Mon Aug 18, 2008 8:31 pm

If you decide to paint it, clean it up really good with soap (dish soap) and water, scrub it if you have to, then wipe it down with some wax and grease remover. After that, paint it with some SEM brand paint from a good auto paint supply in the color you want them. I did this with the door panels and the rear panels of my Notch, and it turned out pretty good. The SEM paint is made for plastic and vinyl, so all it needs is a good clean surface to bite into. I hope this helps.

Thu Aug 21, 2008 3:53 pm

I fully agree with bobnotch's tips. ONe more thing before you paint it: set it out in the sun for a few hours to warm up the plastic, then blow it off with compressed air or your breath. There is a line of SEM spray-can paint that is specifically made for plastic. Apply several light coats, waiting about 5 min. between them. Then take it inside to dry and resist touching it for a day. I painted black Beetle vinyl door panels an off-white using this paint (needed 2 cans) and they turned out excellent.

Thu Aug 21, 2008 4:10 pm

blankmange wrote:
I painted my hinge covers black.... then I bought an early metal hinge cover that is one piece and covers both hinges.... that I had blasted and powder-coated...

I'm very interested in seeing pictures of this or hearing more about it. Where can I get one?! I hate plastic...

Thu Aug 21, 2008 4:18 pm

[VU]Juan wrote: blankmange wrote:
I painted my hinge covers black.... then I bought an early metal hinge cover that is one piece and covers both hinges.... that I had blasted and powder-coated...

I'm very interested in seeing pictures of this or hearing more about it. Where can I get one?! I hate plastic...
Early squarebacks had a single metal hinge cover across the top .
You can find them in the classifieds on this fine site. :D

Does anyone know a good color match for the 68 white interior in the vinyl spray?