Strut Tower Brace - Paint Recommendations? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

sixt3denied · 12-25-2014, 09:33 AM

Hey all,

Just ordered Genuine GM Strut Tower Brace (#23120485). I have seen many of you have it and have painted it. I am planning on doing the same. I also am thinking of putting some lettering on it, maybe on top of the paint, and then covering the entire thing with clear coat.

I am wondering if i need to use a high heat paint to paint the Strut tower brace. If any of you have one and have painted it, and the paint is holding up good, please let me know what paint you used. And do you think covering it with a final coat of clear-coat will protect the vinyl lettering i plan on putting on it?

Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.

Thanks

bannonm · 12-25-2014, 11:33 AM

I used Dupli-Color rattle can in metallic black to match my stripes. I then wet sanded it to get it smooth, and then cleared it. After that I used a polisher to give it a mirror finish. It came out pretty nice, about the same as the factory orange peel that comes on these cars.

I ground and sanded the rough casting on the brackets and then used black truck bed paint to still give it a rough cast look, but without all the rough edges from the casting process. Just make sure you prep the metal and sand it smooth before painting. I primed the bar prior to painting.

I haven't had any issues with heat affecting the paint.

12-25-2014, 09:33 AM	#1
sixt3denied Drives: 2012 1LT/RS BLACK w NOS Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: New York Posts: 206	Strut Tower Brace - Paint Recommendations? Hey all, Just ordered Genuine GM Strut Tower Brace (#23120485). I have seen many of you have it and have painted it. I am planning on doing the same. I also am thinking of putting some lettering on it, maybe on top of the paint, and then covering the entire thing with clear coat. I am wondering if i need to use a high heat paint to paint the Strut tower brace. If any of you have one and have painted it, and the paint is holding up good, please let me know what paint you used. And do you think covering it with a final coat of clear-coat will protect the vinyl lettering i plan on putting on it? Any recommendations are greatly appreciated. Thanks __________________ BBK CAI, Dynomax Ultra Flow Exhaust, Vitesse Throttle Controller, 3M Dark Tint, BMR Subframe Connectors, BMR Drive Shaft Tunnel Brace, Bosch Brakes, Ny-Trex Triple Threat System, Glowshift NOS Gauge, Innovate LC-2 Wideband AFR Gauge, GM Strut Tower Brace, Elite Engineering Catch Can, Heritage Grill, Custom LFX Emblems, BAFX Bluetooth OBDII Interface, Torque Pro Logging, Big Worm Graphix Spears & Stripes,Niche M117 Misano Wheels, MGP Caliper Covers

12-25-2014, 11:33 AM	#2
bannonm Drives: 2011 2SS/RS M6 VR Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 1,536	I used Dupli-Color rattle can in metallic black to match my stripes. I then wet sanded it to get it smooth, and then cleared it. After that I used a polisher to give it a mirror finish. It came out pretty nice, about the same as the factory orange peel that comes on these cars. I ground and sanded the rough casting on the brackets and then used black truck bed paint to still give it a rough cast look, but without all the rough edges from the casting process. Just make sure you prep the metal and sand it smooth before painting. I primed the bar prior to painting. I haven't had any issues with heat affecting the paint. Attached Images __________________ Last edited by bannonm; 12-25-2014 at 11:44 AM.