Painting Headlight Trim Rings

[arbita1]

I’m switching to H4’s from sugar scoops on my SC. I got the primed trim rings that need to be painted. How do you guys typically handle this?

-take the rings to a body shop and ask them if they will paint?
- order paint in spray can and spray yourself?

[abstrader]

I recently added LED headlights to an '88 Targa and I also ordered the pre-primed trim rings. I was getting a rocker panel repainted so I took the trim rings in to the body shop at the same time. I'm glad I did because the body shop owner said that beneath the primer was chrome and the primer would easily flake off (along with any paint). He ended up sanding and properly primed them before painting. Very happy with the result.

[Reiver]

Originally Posted by arbita1

I’m switching to H4’s from sugar scoops on my SC. I got the primed trim rings that need to be painted. How do you guys typically handle this?

-take the rings to a body shop and ask them if they will paint?
- order paint in spray can and spray yourself?

I got a can of matching paint from one of the usual vendors and did them...they came out fine with a base coat clear coat.
If you have an old paint job (possibly faded a bit) it may not be perfect but there is the rubber 'cut line' of the gasket seal so it has to be pretty obvious to be an issue.

[Reiver]

Originally Posted by abstrader

I recently added LED headlights to an '88 Targa and I also ordered the pre-primed trim rings. I was getting a rocker panel repainted so I took the trim rings in to the body shop at the same time. I'm glad I did because the body shop owner said that beneath the primer was chrome and the primer would easily flake off (along with any paint). He ended up sanding and properly primed them before painting. Very happy with the result.

That's because there is another ring that goes over that one.

[Arne2]

The true, primed outer trim rings do go over the rings the lights are assembled to. Very obvious if you used the outer rings as they are smooth and cover the adjuster holes.

Originally Posted by Reiver

I got a can of matching paint from one of the usual vendors and did them...they came out fine with a base coat clear coat.
If you have an old paint job (possibly faded a bit) it may not be perfect but there is the rubber 'cut line' of the gasket seal so it has to be pretty obvious to be an issue.

Same here. Bought a premixed rattle can of Chiffon White. It was close enough.