Painting My Exhaust Bezels (gfx edition)

[DJ ATOMIX]

I'm in the process of painting my gfx bezels. I've been telling everyone I've been wanting to do it along with the taillight bezels I just painted on Thursday. I was really happy with the outcome of the taillights so now I'm trying my luck down there.

So far I've gotten the bezels off, holy crow what a pain that was man! :( Um almost an hour to get the first one off and then about 15min to get the 2nd one off. I had to go to Canadian Tire and buy a socket monkey wrench screw driver with that funny hexagon looking end on it. The tool costed me $20 but man, nothing will touch it in terms of versitility.

Anyhow, the hardest part so far is actually sanding.... I spent two hours almost sanding by hand the two bezels as I wanted it sanded perfectly.. I dont want paint falling off. Chrome is gone.... I compared the 1st bezel with the 2nd after completing the first sanding and what a differance.

Use 100 grit instead of 150 if your doing it by hand like me... 150 just wasnt taken off the chrome enough in my opinion.

Now I just primed both parts and I'm waiting on the process to get ready to paint. I think I'm gonna primer both these things twice as well just to be safe as I dont trust chrome parts.

I'm using BBQ high heat flat black paint also boughten at home depot for $6. I will sand inperfections in the primer with 600grit before I spray on the paint of course.

Bezels now painted with the third coating just applied. I'm supposed to wait four hours before touching the parts so only time will tell now. Examining the paint job, I noticed a slight artifact (dent in metal) that the primer didnt want to cover up completely, I hope its not really noticeable when its all said and done. Anyhow, drying time in the shade with fans blowing every which direction.

FINISHED!!!!!!! See post #7, scroll down...




Shaun

[goval]

Wow! This is the most detailed thread I've read on a mod so small and simple. lol. I did mine in 1 hour. Chrome is chrome bro... no matter how much you sand, the paint will still bubble and peel off in a few years. But hopefully with all the sanding you did, you'll buy off a few more than everyone else.
Post pics when done.

[DJ ATOMIX]

Originally Posted by goval

Wow! This is the most detailed thread I've read on a mod so small and simple. lol. I did mine in 1 hour. Chrome is chrome bro... no matter how much you sand, the paint will still bubble and peel off in a few years. But hopefully with all the sanding you did, you'll buy off a few more than everyone else.
Post pics when done.

Was it a pain to re-install the bezels? It looks like its gonna be a pain for me to get those screws back into the mounting holes along with the thread clips.


Shaun

[DJ ATOMIX]

Bezels after three coats of paint applied. Should be ready to mount in the next three hours and some further drying thereafter.


Shaun

[DJ ATOMIX]

Originally Posted by DJ ATOMIX

Was it a pain to re-install the bezels? It looks like its gonna be a pain for me to get those screws back into the mounting holes along with the thread clips.


Shaun

I'm having problems trying to figure out how to re-install these things. From inspecting the harness, it looks like I have to install the metal tabs except the top tab after I've placed in the bezel... so pushing tabs into position from behind the rear fascia. Does anyone else know any tricks here?


Shaun

[tpower]

I sent my out for powder coating Should be back tommorow will post pic

[DJ ATOMIX]

FINISHED! and its flawless, not even one unwanted mark! FYI, reinstalling these things is the biggest pain in the butt and its not for the faint of heart. I think I fluked out even getting all four screws tighten.

I pretty much spent the entire day today doing this but I will admit that I didnt rush anything and ended up with four coats of paint at the end.

I really like the new look


Shaun

[Li0nel1234]

Nice!
I did this too. Have you thought about adding mesh?
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46732