Painting my steering column

[Mrbill426]

Okay.  How about if you are more of a rattle can novice though?   

When I paint a steering column and dash I use the same factory suede finish.

Nice info  thanks
Is that SEM trim black the thing to use for all the black metal surfaces on the dash?

[Cuda Cody]

If I had to use rattle cans... I would do some tests to see what I like best.  My guess is I would use a 2K rattle can epoxy over the bare metal.  Then I would use a 2K black satin paint and maybe blend it with another sheen to get the look I want.

If I could not use 2K paint, I would at least make sure to get 2K epoxy and then use something like a SEM Trim Black and try to lay it down as soon as I could after the epoxy is dry so it gets a chemical bond and some of the strength from the 2K epoxy.

Also, adjusting the distance of the application and fogging rattle cans allows for some different sheens and finishes.  You don't want a rough finish, but you don't really want gloss smooth either.

[Mrbill426]

Ok so by "2K" you mean a 2 part epoxy primer?   Has to be applied over bare metal and not existing finish?  It's non damaged much just old. 
You can tell I am a novice now for sure.

If I had to use rattle cans... I would do some tests to see what I like best.  My guess is I would use a 2K rattle can epoxy over the bare metal.  Then I would use a 2K black satin paint and maybe blend it with another sheen to get the look I want.

If I could not use 2K paint, I would at least make sure to get 2K epoxy and then use something like a SEM Trim Black and try to lay it down as soon as I could after the epoxy is dry so it gets a chemical bond and some of the strength from the 2K epoxy.

Also, adjusting the distance of the application and fogging rattle cans allows for some different sheens and finishes.  You don't want a rough finish, but you don't really want gloss smooth either.

[Burdar]

We are talking about a 73 here.  It shouldn't be suede.  SEM Trim Black is a perfect match.  As far as durability of the SEM paint...

I painted a spoiler on my daily driver with SEM Trim Black two years ago.  The car doesn't get garaged...it sits outside.  The spoiler still looks good and the paint doesn't show any signs of problems.  That's two summers of sun baking on it and two winters of being frozen with ice and snow.  It will last a lifetime on the interior IMO.

[Mrbill426]

I may have committed a sin by jumping in this conversation  but I have the same questions.  Yes the originator is asking about his '73... mine is a '72 and maybe they are the same?  Anyway I am sorry if I should have started my own thread. 

We are talking about a 73 here.  It shouldn't be suede.  SEM Trim Black is a perfect match.  As far as durability of the SEM paint...

I painted a spoiler on my daily driver with SEM Trim Black two years ago.  The car doesn't get garaged...it sits outside.  The spoiler still looks good and the paint doesn't show any signs of problems.  That's two summers of sun baking on it and two winters of being frozen with ice and snow.  It will last a lifetime on the interior IMO.

[Burdar]

For a 72 I would inspect the paint closely and see if it has a texture to it.  72 could go either way.  72 have some things in common with the earlier years and the later years.

[Mrbill426]

I am finding that out as I go along; it seems the '72 is a sort of mix of '71 and '73.   Mine was built I guess days before they made some changes so it's a bit odd.

For a 72 I would inspect the paint closely and see if it has a texture to it.  72 could go either way.  72 have some things in common with the earlier years and the later years.