Plain door trim
Plain door trim
Date: 21/10/07
Here's a shot of the door trim after removal from the car. It's been in the car for a while (probably 25 years!), and it's now the wrong colour!
Door trim after cleaning
Door trim after cleaning
Date: 21/10/07
The key to a successful job is to make sure you prepare the vinyl or plastic really well before even shaking the spray can.
My preparation consisted of:
* Scrubbing with a scourer and hot water (and a touch of dishwashing liquid);
* Dry with a clean towel, let stand overnight to make sure it's properly dry;
* Cleaning with K&N Wax and Grease remover. VHT advise the use of their own prep and clean, however it's impossible to get from the stores I visited;
* Wipe off with a damp cloth to make sure that all residue is gone;
Make sure you pay particular attention to the grooves in the trim. The dirt and crap loves to live in there!
After that, make sure you don't leave your fingerprints all over the vinyl! Oh year, the door lock ring was taken out after this picture was taken.
My preparation consisted of:
* Scrubbing with a scourer and hot water (and a touch of dishwashing liquid);
* Dry with a clean towel, let stand overnight to make sure it's properly dry;
* Cleaning with K&N Wax and Grease remover. VHT advise the use of their own prep and clean, however it's impossible to get from the stores I visited;
* Wipe off with a damp cloth to make sure that all residue is gone;
Make sure you pay particular attention to the grooves in the trim. The dirt and crap loves to live in there!
After that, make sure you don't leave your fingerprints all over the vinyl! Oh year, the door lock ring was taken out after this picture was taken.
VHT Vinyl Dye. $15 per can.
VHT Vinyl Dye. $15 per can.
Date: 21/10/07
VHT Vinyl Dye. $15 per can. This stuff penetrates the vinyl instead of coating it, meaning it should be a permanent colour fast change.
There's a big range of colours, and I went for the satin black (there's also a gloss).
There's a big range of colours, and I went for the satin black (there's also a gloss).
Yikes!
Yikes!
Date: 21/10/07
Ok - so there I was, minding my own business and spraying my first door trim. After the first light coat, the spray nozzle crapped itself! Dye was everywhere - I have a habit of using disposable gloves, and in this case it saved me from having black dyed hands.
What went wrong? It seems as though the nozzle cracked just where it joins the can. First time it's ever happened to me with a spray can.
What went wrong? It seems as though the nozzle cracked just where it joins the can. First time it's ever happened to me with a spray can.
Splatter!
Splatter!
Date: 21/10/07
Splatter! As the nozzle crapped out, the large spray drops went everywhere - including the door trim.
I was a bit concerned about how the whole thing might turn out, but first I had to go and get another can.
I was a bit concerned about how the whole thing might turn out, but first I had to go and get another can.
Done.
Done.
Date: 21/10/07
After getting another can I finished the job, and the end result is excellent. The splatters can't be seen, so I'm happy with the result.
One work of advice - if you can, remove your vinyl items from the car before spraying!
One work of advice - if you can, remove your vinyl items from the car before spraying!
