prepping trim for SEM paint?

[topfuel]

I'm going to refinish all my black trim with SEM trim black.

Last night I prepped the outside door handles and locks by cleaning with acetone, sanding with 600 and then cleaned at least three more times with acetone before spraying.

They turned out ok, but there are some areas on the handles that have what I would call fisheyes, like the surface wasn't totally clean.

Is there a better way to prep when I do the rest of my trim?

 

[Red Regal T]

It's better not to use solvents prepping for refinishing a panel or part, no matter what kind of paint you're spraying. If you can, use soap and water, or something like Westley's Bleachwhite, or some other cleaner. Most times, solvents will promote "fisheyes".

 

[rmar]

I disagree..........:biggrin:

 

[Red Regal T]

Well, you'd be disagreeing with a fact of life.

 

[phillyturbosix]

By far the only way to go....

Pre Painting Prep Aerosol 11 oz - Grease Remover - Dirt Removal - Eastwood

replace this with the acetone stuff you used and you'll be fine. SEM is good stuff and should stick nice when prepped with this stuff. I use it all the time and have perfect results!

 

[charlief1]

I disagree..........:biggrin:

Second here.:biggrin: Use brake cleaner and heat it up after you're done spraying. I've never had a problem after doing this.:smile:

 

[Red Regal T]

Brake cleaner? Now, why didn't I know that? Must be common knowledge in Rustland where you live. I've painted hundreds of cars and I should have been doing wipe downs with brake cleaner all this time, and I just never knew. No. What one has to know is that a particular solvent or cleaner that one has chosen to use will not cause the paint to "fisheye". A test panel or part will tell the tale. I can guarantee that using a grease removing detergent will not promote fisheyes but the same can't be said about many solvents like acetone, enamel reducer, or lacquer thinner.

 

[Chuck Leeper]

I agree w/ John...The trim parts were not done w/ paint, to begin with. Use of a solvent that soaks into the coating can/will cause problems. Want them done permanently... Powder coat them.

 

[topfuel]

okay thanks for the advice guys.

I'll give the soapy water a try on the next pieces, are we talking car wash soap or dishwashing liquid? The trim all has been waxed recently and I'm concerned soapy water isn't enough to strip the wax.

 

[Red Regal T]

I also mentioned Westley's blechwhite or any degreasing type detergent. Detergent does remove wax although wax probably wasn't the problem. The solvent you used to degrease and remove the wax was. Also, when you go for your first coat, don't spray wet. Kind of dust it first to check and see if their is any unwanted reaction. You're not spraying a gloss color, so just work on getting even coverage.

 

[topfuel]

Thanks for the tip Red Regal.

I washed first with dishwashing detergent then used the Westleys Bleachwhite with a scotchbrite pad, and finally wet sanded with 400.

The paint went on smooth and the trim looks great

 

[Red Regal T]

All's well that ends well!

 

[Red Regal T]

All's well that ends well!

Found these random comments mentioning brake cleaner , and SEM interesting:

El Camino Central Forum : Chevrolet El Camino Forums - View Single Post - Duplicolor Vinyl and fabric coating

 

[topfuel]

some pics of the results

The lower windshield trim came out really nice, I was concerned about this piece, being the biggest flat area but it looks mint.

windshield trim, rain gutters, b-pillar trim, door handles and locks all freshly painted. New outer window sweeps, and new upper and lower door weatherstripping, and lock cylinder seals.

The car is really coming together nicely

 

[Red Regal T]

Looks excellent! SEM lays out really nice. I wish I could say the same for a fender and FG bumper I painted this weekend.