What grade/type of sandpaper should I use for the nose and ground effects? Primer over the plastic? Any info would be great!
Also, what type of interior dye do you all recommend?

 

for the urethane bumper and ground effects many people have used 80 grit on a dual action sander, but you MUST be very carful not to cut grooves in the plastic or you will have to fill them in and sand smooth again. I would recommend 220 grit by hand, especially on the ground effects, since their contours are intricate. It may take much, much, longer but will be worth the effort, since you can prime directly over the 220 sanding for a smooth finish, where as if you use the 80 you will still have to sand by hand to get a "primerable finsh". Use 3M brand paper, then tend to clog less and not fall apart as quickly.
As for the interior dye, I have used VHT vinyl and plastic paint from Summit and I have no problems for 3 years. Just remember if you are painting plastic, the part has to be clean, clean, clean. Use formula 409, or equivalent. When you think it is clean clean it again. Then rinse, rinse, rinse and rinse some more. Use latex gloves to hold the part or mount the part on a stick, because the oil from your fingerprint WILL NOT let paint adhere properly. Finally use a hair dryer or heat gun to dry the part before you paint. Any moisture on the the surface will not let the paint stick. Good luck and do a search on this forum for more info. Use words like Painting and plastic and/or interior for the search.

 

I like to use a finer sandpaper on the DA like 120 or 220 for the bumpers. it takes longer, but I do not take off so much it may reshape the pieces.

For instance, when you use Bondo, you will use a coarse sandpaper FIRST. Because it makes everything flat. If you use a fine sandpaper then you round the roners and it looks like crap. you have to use the fine sandpaper on what you do not want to distort.

spend the money Get about 50 pads of paper for the DA and go to town. you will more than likely only need about 10-15, but the extras are nice for ther projects when you get to them.

As for preping it, there are some solvents that you will want to use that cleans the sliicones,waxes etc from your surface before painting. I use something called "Prep-Solv".

John

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87 Formula Yellow/Black

5.1 TPI Automatic
Baer 12" brakes 4 wheels, KYB AGX Adjustable Shocks & struts, Custom Leather interior, WAAAY TOO MANY MODS TO LIST

87 Formula TPI (5 Speed) Yellow/Gray STOCK

1967 Buick Riviera 430hp Turns high 14's (Not bad for 4300 lbs)

83 Camaro (Parts)
83 T/A (parts)

http://www.3rdgenformula.com

 

Thank you both so much. I have been doing all the sanding by hand, it seems to give me better control. I will search more as you suggested. John you have a wonderful car!!!
My car was hit so now I am re-doing the whole thing. Lots of work, but it is going to be great! Thanks---Elizabeth Since I have you here what do I fill the small crack in the nose? It is located near the bolt on ground effect.

 

If the crack is in the urithane (flexible) bumper then there is a special flexible glue for urithane bumpers. If it is in a hard fiberglass part I would consider epoxy.

In either case Use another piece of similar material BEHIND the crack to give it strength. go to a junk yard if you have to and see if there are bumpers or parts that are broken that they will let you cut pieces from.

HOPE that helps

So do you get the week off of school for the Masters?

John

G O D bless America

------------------
87 Formula Yellow/Black

5.1 TPI Automatic
Baer 12" brakes 4 wheels, KYB AGX Adjustable Shocks & struts, Custom Leather interior, WAAAY TOO MANY MODS TO LIST

87 Formula TPI (5 Speed) Yellow/Gray STOCK

1967 Buick Riviera 430hp Turns high 14's (Not bad for 4300 lbs)

83 Camaro (Parts)
83 T/A (parts)

http://www.3rdgenformula.com

[This message has been edited by okfoz (edited September 18, 2001).]

 

Thank you again for more info. Well John, I did go back to college to get another degree and they get "masters" week off. I used to call it Easter when I was growing up. Many, many years ago!!! LOL What about you?
Elizabeth

 

no, unfortunately we never got Masters week off of school. The only reason I knew that the schools gave the week of the masters off was there was a girl in College that was talking about it. I cannot even remember her name. Its been a few years now.

Thanks for the complement on my car too.

John