How to prep a 4-speed console for repaintng?

[Gary B.]

I just ordered some SEM Trim Black paint to respray my newly rechromed '66 4-speed console. I don't plan on using a primer since I don't want to risk obscuring or filling in the grain-like texture on the flat surfaces of the console. My question is, will cleaning with lacquer thinner, as somone in the Achives suggests, be enough to get a good bond between the SEM Trim black and the chrome? Or is there something else I should do to improve the paint-to-chrome bonding, but that won't obsure the grain texture? A gentle scotchbrite prep by hand?

Thanks,

Gary

[Scott Marzahl]

Re: How to prep a 4-speed console for repaintng?

Hi Gary,
A fine scotch brite pad will work great followed by a cleaner. Next I used a clear adhesion promoter called Bulldog before I sprayed color on mine. It worked better than the self etching primer I tried the first time around, plus since it is clear, you don't need to worry about a primer color ever showing through.

[Gary B.]

Scott; Where did you get the Bulldog promoter? *NM*

[Scott Marzahl]

Re: Scott; Where did you get the Bulldog promoter?

At the local auto paint supply store (WESCO), I've also seen it in the local NAPA store in the paint section. Autobodydepot.com also sells it.

[Gary B.]

Re: Scott; Where did you get the Bulldog promoter?

Scott,

And is the Bulldog stuff pretty thin so that it doesn't fill in the grain texture?

Gary

[Scott Marzahl]

Re: Scott; Where did you get the Bulldog promoter?

Yes it is, it sprays like clear lacquer, you won't even notice it. Are you happy with how the console turned out from the chrome shop?

[Gary B.]

4-speed console rechrome shop

Scott,

I'm very happy with how the rechoming turned out. The cost in the end was $197.21 inc. return shipping. The only negative was that it took them 5 months, but given the 1000-piece status of my car, 5 months wasn't an issue. It's nice to find a shop that not afraid of restoring pot metal.

Thank you very much for the tip on the rechroming company. For those of you who might be interested their contact information is:

Concours Plating and Polishing
9845 N 21st Ave
Suite 5
Phoenix, AZ 85021

602 997-7735

Gary

[Jack H.]

Did you look at SEM self-etchant primer? *NM*

[Gary B.]

Jack: SEM self-etchant primer?

Jack,

I've ordered SEM Trim Black, but I didn't look into primers thinking that a primer plus one or more top coats of the Trim Black would result in too much cover-up of the grain texture.

Gary

[Patrick H.]

Re: Jack: SEM self-etchant primer?

No, it actually works great. It's what I use every time, and the consoles look great.

I use the Sherwin-Williams self etching primer, but mostly because it's what my FLAPS carries.

Patrick




self etching primer