Type of paint for headlight covers + windows

[crafty]

Can anyone give a recommendation for the type of paint for painting a black band around the side windows and headlight covers?

Edited by crafty on Sunday 14th January 06:44

[530dTPhil]

The best product is the black etch primer that the windscreen companies use prior to installation; this will give better adhesion than any normal paint. Be sure to shake the tin for a couple of minutes prior to application as most of these primers contain carbon in suspension for the bonding process. To get a good sharp edge to the black line, use Scotch tape to mask the central area of the glass/plastic. It gives better adhesion than normal sticky tapes.
Whatever you do, try your hand on some samples first.

[CanAm Dave]

The Plastic primer/paint supplied by the factory is Betaprime 5402 made by Dow Automotive. The adhesive used is Betaseal 1402. As Stig recommends on his site, electrical tape works well as masking tape tends to bleed through. I've just fitted a pair of new headlamp covers on my Can-Am and I was very happy with the results.

Regards Dave
www.v8yes.co.uk

[stig]

CanAm Dave said:

The Plastic primer/paint supplied by the factory is Betaprime 5402 made by Dow Automotive. The adhesive used is Betaseal 1402. As Stig recommends on his site, electrical tape works well as masking tape tends to bleed through. I've just fitted a pair of new headlamp covers on my Can-Am and I was very happy with the results.

Regards Dave
www.v8yes.co.uk

Yup - use electrical tape as you can bend it round the corners. The etch primer does just that, so be VERY careful when applying it. Once it's on, it's ON!

[jschwartz]

I painted the rim around the backside with PPG DP90, black etching epoxy primer, scuffed it lightly first.

[steve_d]

The etch primer used by my screen fitter comes with a sponge applicator in the lid of the pot. The guy applied it without masking just using his finger as a guide against the edge of the glass. Obviously an acquired skill but then that is why I employed him in the first place.

Steve

[gtr-tt]

I don't know why but the etch primer I bought from the factory didn't work at all. After it had dried I could easily peel the paint of the glass. I even tried two batches with the same poor result. If I would have glued them to the car they would for sure have came loose by time. I ended up using some special plastic spray paint that a local company recommended. Worked great.

[HCMH]

jschwartz said:

I painted the rim around the backside with PPG DP90, black etching epoxy primer, scuffed it lightly first.

That must have been fairly uncomfortable

[yiihaa]

stig said:

Yup - use electrical tape as you can bend it round the corners. The etch primer does just that, so be VERY careful when applying it. Once it's on, it's ON!

3M vinyl backed fine line masking tape works even better ( a bit thinner and more conformable than electrical tape). I used to buy it from www.bodyshopwarehouse.co.uk, but they don't seem to stock it at the moment.

[crafty]

CanAm Dave said:

The adhesive used is Betaseal 1402.

yeah.... beat a seal and kill a couple of whales too!

[GTWayne]

crafty said:

CanAm Dave said:

The adhesive used is Betaseal 1402.

yeah.... beat a seal and kill a couple of whales too!

Well he does live in Hong Kong, maybe he needs more than building an Ultima to satisfy his hobby thirst?