how to prep a gauge pod fpr paint?

[bartman]

What are the steps for paiting the gause pod? Do you scuff up the plastic before painting? Do you use a primer? Does the paint have a "flex" additive? Any help and direction will be appreciated.

 

[whatabudro]

I just wiped mine down with some alchohol and laid the ford paint directly on it, never had an issue. Make sure you use the alchohol liberally and do not touch prepped areas with your hands.

Also set up card board box with screws or rivets poked into it and give them a coat of paint.

 

[hheynow]

Plastic Primer paint by VHT It's a white primer in an aerosol can. It's recommended by Auto Meter FWIW.

 

[95_stroker]

Im no help, mine came painted from the vendor. But I would really think you could go either way, primed like hheynow or un-primed like budro. Its not an area of high traffic so to speak.

 

[bartman]

Cool, as anal as I am, I will go the primered route. I appreciate the replies, and with any luck I will have it done this weekend. Thanks guys!

 

[JimmyDee]

I have had no problem with mine and I did not prime it.
Jim

 

[FastColts]

What are the steps for paiting the gause pod? Do you scuff up the plastic before painting? Do you use a primer? Does the paint have a "flex" additive? Any help and direction will be appreciated.

This is what dieselmanor recommends:

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Gauge Mount Painting Tips
1) Prep the Gauge Mount. The first thing you need to do is remove any mold release that is left on the plastic gauge mount. This is best accomplished with an autobody wax and grease remover such as Acryli-Clean®, Prepsol®, or Pre-Cleano®. If this is unavailable, you can use denatured alcohol. Using a clean, lint-free cloth, scrub all of the areas on the Gauge Mount that are to be painted. After the degreaser has dried, scuff down the Gauge Mount with 220 grit sandpaper. All you want to do is rough up the surface to give the paint something to adhere to. Use a small circular motion and lightly sand all areas to be painted. Use this time to remove any burs that may have been left from the manufacturing process. Clean the Gauge Mount one more time with the same degreaser and allow to dry. NOTE: perform the same procedure for any plastic fasteners (nails) you wish paint as well. Only sand the tops of the fasteners, as sanding their edges will result in them becoming frayed.
2) Painting. Just prior to painting, go over the Gauge Mount with a tack cloth. This will remove any lint or dust that is remaining on the mount. Shake the can for 2 minutes after the mixing ball begins to rattle. You want to make sure the paint is well mixed before you start applying your paint. Omitting this step could cause small clumps of unmixed paint to enter the straw inside the can, resulting in a clog that you will be unable to clear. Apply 4-5 light coats of paint to the Gauge Mount, waiting 20-30 minutes between each coat. Once you are satisfied with appearance of your Gauge Mount, allow it to dry for 24 hours before you install your
gauges.

 

[Strictly Diesel]

Primering depends on what paint you are using. Newer Ford paints don't seem to like the VHT primer, I've see the paint cause the primer to bubble. The older Ford paint (in the tall blue cans) seems to be OK with the VHT primer.

I do recommend handling the pillar or pod with non-powdered gloves...doesn't do any good to clean it thoroughly with alcohol only to leave oily fingerprints on it.

All of the paints I sell (Older and Newer Ford, VHT and Custom Mixed) seem to lay down quite nicely on the plastic with no primer. The primer can be helpful in laying a light color over a black pillar...helps to get the color to cover more evenly with fewer coats.

Hope that was helpful.

 

[bartman]

Yes, thank you all for the tips. I have the tall blue Ford paint in dark parchment. I think I will skip the primer based on the chance of bubbling. I will clean it and spray it and it will see how it goes. Since it's just the steering column top piece, I should have plenty paint to redo if necesary. I thank you all for the tips and replies.

Bart

 

[JSPulliam21]

I followed the instructions FastColts posted, and my overhead mount turned out perfectly. I used the Ford paint ONLY. I did not use a primer because I did not have any of the Ford primer, and I do not like to mix different brands or lines of the same brand of paint. Sometimes different kinds of paint will not be compatible and cause bubbling, orange peel, or they will not ever dry completely. I would also like to stress that many light coats are better than a few heavy coats. By using light coats you will get a much better finish without runs or sags, and the temp has a lot to do with the dry time between coats.