Do you have any H4 trim ring painting tips?

[Gogar]

I read a few H4 trim ring painting threads and I'm going to paint my black H4 rings with a spray can/clearcoat can from paintscratch.com.

Any tips?

I'm a pretty successful backyard rattle can painter, but I want this to be as good as it can get.

Thanks!

[KevinP73]

Don't paint just the outside of the rings, shoot them inside and out.

[D911SC]

Did mine just recently. Painting is the easy bit. When/If you are removing the long adjusting screws make sure you check the thread as spin off the retaining nut. The threads are very soft and it's easy to stuff up the thread. I had to replace these nuts with new ones.

+1 on painting both sides.

Here's some info and pics on how I did mine.

[Bob Kontak]

Obtain some pre-paint cleaning solvent. This removes all greases that lead to fish-eye problems. The rest is just the basics - 8 inches away and keep it moving. Don't be a paint pig and over-do the application. Several moderate coats.

You can get the 22 line Glasurit at your local jobber if you are really into perfection. But you need a sprayer, paint, hardener and reducer. The cost would be relatively substantial to just paint a few "wee" parts.

[Bob Kontak]

Also hang it from a wire off of your garage door hardware. Keep it away from dust. Don't paint it on a table. To be really fussy spray the floor with water to kill that dust risk as well. For that small a surface close your garage doors to eliminate wind risk or paint on a calm day. Paint in the warmest part of the day and warm your paint can(s) up in hot water for several minutes to promote better flow.

[jmohn]

I apologize if this is "piggybacking" on a thread but, perhaps others would also be interested.

Is it possible/advisable to paint the bright (chrome) rings the P.O. used when he converted to H4's?

Thanks,

Jerry M
'78 SC

[john walker's workshop]

i always have to remind the body shop that when they paint it from the outside that the inner rolled edge doesn't get much coverage.

[tcar]

Originally Posted by jmohn

I apologize if this is "piggybacking" on a thread but, perhaps others would also be interested.

Is it possible/advisable to paint the bright (chrome) rings the P.O. used when he converted to H4's?

Thanks,

Jerry M
'78 SC

You can get ring 'covers' that are primered that fit over the chrome rings to save them. This way the only visible screw is on the bottom center.

Or you can lightly sand the chrome and paint them

[KCTarga3.2]

I bought the primed rings and had a trusted body shop paint mine. Not sure what your budget is, but it cost me under $100 and figured it was worth the money to match the paint. My car is red and didn't want it to look like she was wearing new red eyeliner.

[JFairman]

Use a high quality name brand automotive self etching primer if they are brass.

Then a thin layer of primer or sealer over the self etching primer that is compatable with whatever type of color coat is going on... like water base standox or urethane glasurit, awlgrip, or whatever urethane enamel.

Regular solvent base primer will not etch into the surface and stick to brass or aluminum for long.

[Gogar]

Update: I finally had some time to do this and it was really quite easy. I did maybe 3 thin coats of color and then one medium one, sanding everytime except the last time, then about 4 coats of clear and i buffed it with the liquid paintscratch rubbing compound and a linen wheel on my hand drill.

Thanks for the tips! Thanks tcar for the H4s.