Advise on painting flag mirror bases properly

[RyanWay]

A very kind Pelican member gave me a set of flag mirror bases so I could do the Vitiloni Sebring conversion and retain my set of original heated mirrors.

I'm going to paint the bases black and was hoping I could get some suggestions/advise on prepping and painting them (DIY)

Taking a wild stab:

I'm thinking to sand or chemical strip them. (No idea which grit to use)

SEM primer and SEM black trim paint?

If I'm way off please let me know.

Thanks!

-Ryan

[GK81]

I took an easy route on my Vitaloni Conversion. I did a light sand on the bases and then wiped them down with paint thinner. After that I sprayed them with Plasti-dip; about 4 coats if I remember correctly.

From the title I see you are looking for the “proper” way to do it. If the plastidip wears off on mine, I would probably use a paint remover and then a few coats of black trim paint.

[RyanWay]

Originally Posted by GK81

I took an easy route on my Vitaloni Conversion. I did a light sand on the bases and then wiped them down with paint thinner. After that I sprayed them with Plasti-dip; about 4 coats if I remember correctly.

From the title I see you are looking for the “proper” way to do it. If the plastidip wears off on mine, I would probably use a paint remover and then a few coats of black trim paint.

Do you have a photo on how they turned out by chance? I have plastidip and thinner on hand.

Thanks!

[GK81]

Sure thing.







I had to include one of the cockpit too.

[RyanWay]

Thanks for the photos!

Did you paint/dip the Vitalonis as well or just the flag bases? If not, how was the match between the two shades of black?

[GK81]

I only sprayed the bases with the ‘dip. It is a close enough match for me, really close imo. I figured I would try it out and if I didn’t like it, then I could peel it off and go a different route.

[RyanWay]

True.

[Bill Douglas]

A good paint job all depends on how good the primer is, and is it correct, plus prep'ed for the metal (plastic) that it's going on. Lots of paint projects fail from the base upward.