Slow progress...need help!
 

Making slow progress on our '78 SC interior restoration. Not real happy with the gloss black vinyl paint on the interior panels, but couldn't get consistent results with the flat black (splotchy). Was considering buying new replacement panels but thought I'd give a shot at refurbishing the ones we have to save a few bucks. The carpet seems to be working well. Have the rear seat area completed and starting on the front map pockets today.

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Looking ahead to next steps, need to strip and repaint the metal trim pieces that are outside the rubber strips on each of the front windows. I believe that removing the trim pieces would results in the best paint job (rattle can). Not clear to me how best to remove the trim pieces. I have the door panels removed. Have checked Bentley and the factory parts book but still can't get any insight.

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Appreciate your thoughts and help.

Mike

The door window trim is held in by spring clips, just pops straight up with careful use of flat screwdriver. Rustoleum satin (semi-gloss) black works well for them. To remove the trim under the rear qtr. windows requires the windows be removed and they are held in with a bunch of tiny screws.

Eastwood has the interior spray paint you need. Depending on the surface, I would wipe off the paint you used with some thinner and start over. Eastwood has a surface prep spray and the interior paint stays flexable and doesn't scratch off. I used the Landau Black on a dash and seats and they came out great. Very OEM in color and texture. Good luck

For interior paint I have had very good luck with Duplicolor paint for vinyl. I used a semi-flat black over Maroon worked great and held up. For hard plastic the new Fusion paint (Rustoleum I think?) Works great. But do not use it on vinyl. :(

sub'd

Gary,

Thanks for the feedback on the window trim pieces. They're next on the hit parade after we get the seats, final carpet pieces and interior panels installed.

Gearbox / Fender,

Thanks for the comments on the paint. Actually, I used Duplicolor Vinyl flat black paint on the advice of our upholstery guy who installed the new seat covers. On the first 4 pieces, it came out great...a nice consistant satin effect. On the next 4 pieces, I got very poor results, with very splotchy areas....some very "flat" and dull and some shiney. No mater how many coats I tried, still very uneven. The pattern seemed to match the wear pattern on the vinyl. It was the upper door panel / window sills that were the worst. I ended up switching to the same Duplicolor Vinyl paint in gloss black and got much more consistent results, just a bit more gloss than I would have liked compared to the new leather seats.

All the panels are old and probably need replacing eventually, so I figure I at least saved about $1,000 for now versus $50 in paint. If I ever do a complete repaint on the exterior, that will be the time to invest in new interior panels.

Thanks again for the help.

Mike