[arctic330i]

After my gross "chrome" trim became oxidized and disgusting I decided to change it




First off this is very time consuming. No other way to put it, it involves HEAVY masking of the car, of course only if you are worried about overspray.

Total Time: 2-3 Hours of Prep + 2-3 Hours of painting/touchup + Drying

Total cost was about $35

-Primer, look for adhesion to plastic/aluminum
-Krylon Glossy black paint (aerosol)
-800-1000 Grit Sandpaper
-Dupli-Color Acrylic Enamel (for clearcoat)
-Automotive Masking/Painters tape (mine was green)
-Razor blade (cutting paint away from tape)

1)

Start off by taking your green/blue painters tape and carefully taping around the edge of the trim.

The tape should go deep behind/under it so no part of the car is shown. Take extra time for the lower sill trim on the doors.

Try to use one (1) piece of tape when masking the lower part ie: where the car door meets the trim. It is easier to mask the top part of the door (where the trim meets the door glass) because of more space.
I masked with my windows up and doors open

2)

Once car has tape around every inch of the trim it is time to seal off the rest of the car. On one side I thought I was cleaver and used newspaper, how wrong I was. The smallest gaps left black overspray (wet enough to get off) on the car! I think the best thing to use is painters plastic sheeting. Mine was a HUGE roll that i could easily cover the entire car with.
Use a plastic bag around the mirror

Seal off the doors and especially the cabin (because we are leaving the doors open while painting)



3)

When the car is all sealed/masked you are now ready to begin the sanding/priming.

First clean the trim with 409/alcohol/degreaser/windex etc...

Then let the cleaning solution dry, then vigorously shake the primer can for 1 minute and do a few test sprays to make sure we have no "spatter"

Then go over the trim in a fluid motion without stopping the spray. Repeat for 2-3 coats.

Give the primer no more than 10 minuets to dry

4)

Now we can start painting

Get out your black paint of choice and shake that can

Then go over the trim in a fluid motion without stopping the spray. Give each coat 5-10 min's to set, repeat for 3-5 coats or whatever suits your fancy. Be VERY careful to not get excited and spray too long in a certain area as you will have drip and be royally screwed. (as I was...)




Now while the paint is drying

5)

This step is purely for those who want a really glossy look. (like true shadowline)

Once the paint is semi-dry shake the can of clear coat and then go over the trim in a fluid motion without stopping the spray. Repeat for 2-3 coats.




Once again be careful of drip!

6)

Let it dry! Best bet would be to run a fan on low if doing this at night, or roll the car out for some sunshine. Make sure to leave the doors open while you dry, this is for sure an overnight + well into next day drying event. If you do not let it properly dry when you close the door the paint will "mar" or screw it up.

7)

Now while the trim is drying it is time to remove the tape. DO NOT wait too long, for sure wait until it is dry to the touch. We just want the paint still malleable for us to peel the tape off without the paint coming with it!

This is a very time induced process if you want it right. Just go slow and you will be fine! On parts you are iffy about, such as the lower sill trim on the doors, use the razorblade to cut the paint way from the tape.






Thats it I hope this was easy to follow and I hope you enjoy your new Shadowline trim!

[intensee92]

great job

[Brey335i]

That looks very sexy!

[M5007]

Nice job masking the the car. How hard would it be to remove the trim and paint if off the car. I would assume it's easier that taping up the whole car.

Just a thought. But a great wrap up.

[fdriller9]

You should have taken off the upper trim.....it pops off.

The lower sills take a bit to re-install but it's doable....if I painted my trim again, I would mask the lower trim off.

Looks good though. Update us on how it holds up.

[TXe92]

hope to tackle this next week.. do you think I could get by without leaving the doors open?

[Lenthrax]

looks good!

[MF80]

Great job but how long this paint would last? Usually the paint would not hold so long on the surface without heat treatment. I want to paint mine one day.

[Mookie469]

Originally Posted by ACSE90

Nice job masking the the car. How hard would it be to remove the trim and paint if off the car. I would assume it's easier that taping up the whole car.

Just a thought. But a great wrap up.

I was thinking the same thing.

[arctic330i]

Just an update for you all, the paint has held up great!

You really have to let this paint dry, I thought I let it dry enough, but even after 2 days when I left the car in the sun and doors closed under the door seal (IE not visible) it marred the paint a little bit.

I did take the top trim off on the drivers side, it is very easy. I would actually recommend that rather than paint on the car. Just be careful not to break the connecting tabs below! If you do, there are a ton, so a few missing is no big deal...

I am very happy with the to trim, the lower sill trim looks great from a distance, but up close is starting to bother me. I might try someday to take it off and repaint, but it's not that bad... I might take a sharpie and clean it up.

[arctic330i]

Originally Posted by TXe92

hope to tackle this next week.. do you think I could get by without leaving the doors open?

Not at all! If you do the paint will dry to the door seal as the chrome trim wraps under the door sill.

Only if you take the top trim off and paint that separate then yes, just mask the lower trim and paint that.

[NiVeDh]

Does anyone have detailed instructions on how to remove the lower trim?

[JakesJB4]

Originally Posted by arctic330i

After my gross "chrome" trim became oxidized and disgusting I decided to change it




First off this is very time consuming. No other way to put it, it involves HEAVY masking of the car, of course only if you are worried about overspray.

Total Time: 2-3 Hours of Prep + 2-3 Hours of painting/touchup + Drying

Total cost was about $35

-Primer, look for adhesion to plastic/aluminum
-Krylon Glossy black paint (aerosol)
-800-1000 Grit Sandpaper
-Dupli-Color Acrylic Enamel (for clearcoat)
-Automotive Masking/Painters tape (mine was green)
-Razor blade (cutting paint away from tape)

1)

Start off by taking your green/blue painters tape and carefully taping around the edge of the trim.

The tape should go deep behind/under it so no part of the car is shown. Take extra time for the lower sill trim on the doors.

Try to use one (1) piece of tape when masking the lower part ie: where the car door meets the trim. It is easier to mask the top part of the door (where the trim meets the door glass) because of more space.
I masked with my windows up and doors open

2)

Once car has tape around every inch of the trim it is time to seal off the rest of the car. On one side I thought I was cleaver and used newspaper, how wrong I was. The smallest gaps left black overspray (wet enough to get off) on the car! I think the best thing to use is painters plastic sheeting. Mine was a HUGE roll that i could easily cover the entire car with.
Use a plastic bag around the mirror

Seal off the doors and especially the cabin (because we are leaving the doors open while painting)



3)

When the car is all sealed/masked you are now ready to begin the sanding/priming.

First clean the trim with 409/alcohol/degreaser/windex etc...

Then let the cleaning solution dry, then vigorously shake the primer can for 1 minute and do a few test sprays to make sure we have no "spatter"

Then go over the trim in a fluid motion without stopping the spray. Repeat for 2-3 coats.

Give the primer no more than 10 minuets to dry

4)

Now we can start painting

Get out your black paint of choice and shake that can

Then go over the trim in a fluid motion without stopping the spray. Give each coat 5-10 min's to set, repeat for 3-5 coats or whatever suits your fancy. Be VERY careful to not get excited and spray too long in a certain area as you will have drip and be royally screwed. (as I was...)




Now while the paint is drying

5)

This step is purely for those who want a really glossy look. (like true shadowline)

Once the paint is semi-dry shake the can of clear coat and then go over the trim in a fluid motion without stopping the spray. Repeat for 2-3 coats.




Once again be careful of drip!

6)

Let it dry! Best bet would be to run a fan on low if doing this at night, or roll the car out for some sunshine. Make sure to leave the doors open while you dry, this is for sure an overnight + well into next day drying event. If you do not let it properly dry when you close the door the paint will "mar" or screw it up.

7)

Now while the trim is drying it is time to remove the tape. DO NOT wait too long, for sure wait until it is dry to the touch. We just want the paint still malleable for us to peel the tape off without the paint coming with it!

This is a very time induced process if you want it right. Just go slow and you will be fine! On parts you are iffy about, such as the lower sill trim on the doors, use the razorblade to cut the paint way from the tape.






Thats it I hope this was easy to follow and I hope you enjoy your new Shadowline trim!

Sorry to dig up an old thread... But can you pm the pictures if there are any still around!? Please

[Black widow]

Originally Posted by JakesJB4

Sorry to dig up an old thread... But can you pm the pictures if there are any still around!? Please

Bump

[lilg1993]

Originally Posted by JakesJB4

Sorry to dig up an old thread... But can you pm the pictures if there are any still around!? Please

+1

[JakesJB4]

Help us arctic!!!

[arctic330i]

Originally Posted by lilg1993

+1

I've looked and I can't find them! I sold the car a few years ago, sorry guys

[lilg1993]

Originally Posted by arctic330i

I've looked and I can't find them! I sold the car a few years ago, sorry guys

Darn. oh well, thanks for trying anyways!

[ReeferCheefer]

There's actually a wrap they sell specifically for this that's pre cut. i forgot where i seen it but it was 50$. Its a glossy finish.

[E90joee]

can you update pics op?