Touch up Painting Plastic Dash Part

[marlinpruett]

I am going to touch up a piece of my dash and plan on using the pictured sprayer.
I got 4 oz of the paint color so I don't want to use a big sprayer ( which I don't have).
Has anyone used one of these sprayers for a small job?
Here is the piece and I will be doing extensive masking....

Here is the sprayer....

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

I think I’d buy the replacement part from Ford...

 

[marlinpruett]

I think that it is part of the whole dash.....

 

[Trainmaster]

Yes, it's the entire dash. Generally not replaceable. I'd try the sprayer first on some other similar plastic part. If it works, go for it. Go with several light coats, of course.

You may have to refinish at least both sides if the match or gloss isn't perfect. If all else fails, you can cover all of them with a colored film. You're lucky to have the silver (platinum) dash. The dark gray would be very hard to match.

Please post the results. I've often wondered how I'd refinish these if they got dinged up.

 

[marlinpruett]

Will do, the hardest part so far was getting the vent out.
You tube makes it look easy but the guy already had it out when he made the video.
Took me more than a few tries. I guess my hands are too big!

 

[JExpedition07]

For whatever reason the expeditions with the silver in that area flake and wear off occasionally. The dark grey stays nice and solid, but I think that’s the base color and the silver is paint. I always Armor-All my interior which generally keeps the plastics good. Mine is that grey color matching the top portion. I believe they paint that part depending on the trucks interior color scheme as in your case.

 

[Plati]

I think I’d buy the replacement part from Ford...

A lot of people like to fix things for enjoyment

 

[Trainmaster]

The painted silver (Ford calls it "flux steel") was used on the higher-end offerings, like most Eddie Bauer and Limiteds with a black ("charcoal") panel. Our XLT's had the medium gray, whatever that was called, which came with "medium stone" or "camel" trim.

 

[TobyU]

I think paint will come out very nice. Just thin coats and don't run it.

You could also use stick on film they sell. They have kits for about everything on ebay.

I have been thinking about finding what color matches to the Navigator 03-06 Silver they used on everything. That was a bad idea. It gets too dirty and wears off.

 

[Adieu]

I think paint will come out very nice. Just thin coats and don't run it.

You could also use stick on film they sell. They have kits for about everything on ebay.

I have been thinking about finding what color matches to the Navigator 03-06 Silver they used on everything. That was a bad idea. It gets too dirty and wears off.

Yeah, Gator grey or silver or whatever seems to rub off big time with certain people's sweat biochemistry or something? Been meaning to color match or swap those pieces

My bought-used newer Gator L has major discolorations on the lil plastics that hold the power window switches... which is disappointing because the more heavily worn and older SSV stock interior had no such problem, nor did the even older Bauer interior

 

[marlinpruett]

Well the sprayer clogged up on the first squirt!
As a temp fix I painted the dash part with a sponge brush and then sanded with 3000 grit but not happy with it. Will look for an alternate sprayer and redo the job.
I added a Iphone holder in place of the coin holder and that turned out good.
Paint was also slightly darker than original but hard to see difference.

 

[Eagle 71]

Marlin, you did a great job with the resto.

I’ve used the exact same sprayer that you used, and had the best results when the temp outside was a Goldilocks “just right” (not too hot/humid, not too cold). Don’t know the exact date you sprayed, but maybe the sprayer was used when the outside temp was a bit on the cold side (based on the sprayer clog you mentioned). Bottom line though, the results look great!

 

[marlinpruett]

Yes I am going to try again after it warms up into the 70's.
For now I will wait....

 

[Adieu]

Any paint match recommendations for this case of nasty?

 

[marlinpruett]

Any paint match recommendations for this case of nasty?

View attachment 28619

I took mine to an auto paint specialist and they had a special camera that matched paint.
You might try to find one in your area

 

[Adieu]

I took mine to an auto paint specialist and they had a special camera that matched paint.
You might try to find one in your area

For money as part of a painting job, or as part of the process of selling you a custom rattle can?

 

[marlinpruett]

For money as part of a painting job, or as part of the process of selling you a custom rattle can?

$30.00 for paint, Get the sprayer at Home depot for $4.95.

 

[JExpedition07]

Whatever schemes they use in the XLT seem to hold up good. Mine hasn’t had faded at all. What is the Ford term for the XLT silver?

 

[Adieu]

Whatever schemes they use in the XLT seem to hold up good. Mine hasn’t had faded at all. What is the Ford term for the XLT silver?
View attachment 28704

Yup the XLT material seems to be material-material, rather than a painted surface

 

[Kevin08]

I know this thread is older but thought I’d ad some info. I used Duplicolor vinyl & fabric spray, Silver. It matched my original 2008 Expedition King Ranch trims perfect. I had some difficulty with prep due to previous owner being a heavy smoker. Also may have been a bad first can I bought. After sanding most of the original silver off, waiting for warmer temps, and buying another spray can, it coated perfect and I’m very happy with it.