When painting your car’s dashboard, you must use the right type of paint for the job. The main paints used are acrylic enamel, polyurethane enamel, and lacquers. All three paints provide different levels of protection and durability, so choosing the one that best suits your needs is important. The most popular brands for dashboard painting include Dupli-Color, Rust-Oleum Automotive, and Krylon Automotive.
Preparing Dashboard for Painting
Before painting the car’s dashboard, it’s necessary that they properly prepare the surface. Not preparing the surface correctly can lead to poor results and an uneven finish! The preparation process consists of three basic steps:
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Necessary Materials and Tools: You’ll need such materials as sandpaper (150 grit); lint-free cloth; primer; base coat; clear coat; masking tape; drop cloth (optional); respirator mask (optional). All these items should be readily available at most hardware stores depending upon area location. -
Cleaning the Surface: The first step is to properly clean the surface of the dashboard panel with a lint-free cloth and a mild detergent. This will help remove dirt, dust, oils, and grease from the surface before moving on to the next step.
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Sanding the Surface: Once cleaned, it’s time to sand down the dashboard panel with 150-grit paper to provide an even finish for painting. Ensure all edges are considered, as these are usually places where paint can peel or crack over time if not evenly sanded. Remove any debris that may have been left behind during cleaning so you can be sure you’re working with an even surface.
Necessary Materials and Tools: You’ll need such materials as sandpaper (150 grit); lint-free cloth; primer; base coat; clear coat; masking tape; drop cloth (optional); respirator mask (optional). All these items should be readily available at most hardware stores depending upon area location.How to Apply the Paint on a Dashboard
Before applying any paint, it is important that one shake/stir their paints beforehand for them to mix smoothly. This will ensure a better finish when painting their dashboard. After this, they can begin by priming (if needed), followed by base coating, and finally sealing with a clear coat – all steps should be done carefully and slowly so they do not miss any areas and achieve desired results!
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Primer Application: Applying primer helps protect against wear or peeling of the base coat when exposed to certain elements, so make sure they apply an even layer across the entire dashboard area. Allow the primer to dry before proceeding onto base coating – this should take around 30 minutes, depending upon climate conditions! -
Base Coat Application: Once primed, it’s time for them to begin applying their chosen color. As mentioned, shake/ stir paint beforehand to mix properly before application. Use masking tape around edges or other areas that won’t be painted, then using an even sweeping motion – start spraying from the top downwards, ensuring they cover every area of the dashboard!
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Clear Coat Application: Clear coat helps protect against scratches or fading over time, so make sure it’s applied once the base coat has dried completely! Again, use masking tape around the edges, if necessary, then spray a clear coat onto the entire dashboard area, ensuring each section is covered evenly! Allow clear coats dry overnight before moving on to the curing process!
Primer Application: Applying primer helps protect against wear or peeling of the base coat when exposed to certain elements, so make sure they apply an even layer across the entire dashboard area. Allow the primer to dry before proceeding onto base coating – this should take around 30 minutes, depending upon climate conditions!Curing Process
Once you’ve applied the base coat and clear coat, it’s important to cure the paint for it to last longer and retain its shine. This is done by baking the dashboard panel or letting it air dry in a well-ventilated area. If you opt for baking, ensure that all surfaces are covered with newspaper or drop cloths to protect against spills. Place your car’s dashboard panel into a low-preheated oven at 200 degrees Celsius or 392 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes. Once baked, allow the dashboard panel to cool down slowly before handling. If you air dry instead, let your car’s dashboard sit in a well-ventilated area, such as an open garage or driveway, for approximately two days before handling it again. Also read about the Cost of Painting a Jeep.
Conclusion
Painting your car’s dashboard is a great way to make it look new again and breathe life into an otherwise dull interior. With the right materials, techniques, and aftercare, you’ll be able to enjoy your newly painted dashboard for many years. We hope this guide has provided you with all the information needed for a successful project!
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