E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

Technical Shop => Interior => Topic started by: blown motor on February 24, 2024, 11:03:24 AM

Title: How to restore A/C vents?
Post by: blown motor on February 24, 2024, 11:03:24 AM
What's the best way and best product to use to restore the silver trim line on the A/C vents? I bought three paint pens with different sized tops but I can't get a smooth finish without lines or texture.
Title: Re: How to restore A/C vents?
Post by: CudaA39 on February 24, 2024, 04:59:32 PM
I considered buying an airbrush setup because I believe you can get fairly close to a chrome-shiny silver finish, but never did.  Paint pen was what I used, kept it very wet and used gravity to get it to run where I wanted it.  My vents were out which made it easy.  Turned out ok, good enough for me, and if anyone says anything I'll just pull over and they can walk.
Title: Re: How to restore A/C vents?
Post by: Jay Bee on February 24, 2024, 05:54:20 PM
I wonder if that aluminum foil tape that's used to seal duct seams could be a possibility. It would probably entail removing the housings from the dash pad then the vents from the housings to make a nice job of it.
Title: Re: How to restore A/C vents?
Post by: BIGSHCLUNK on February 24, 2024, 08:47:32 PM
My last try on something like that I used a silver sharpie  :notsure:
Title: Re: How to restore A/C vents?
Post by: blown motor on February 25, 2024, 06:43:34 AM
Quote from: BIGSHCLUNK on February 24, 2024, 08:47:32 PMMy last try on something like that I used a silver sharpie  :notsure:


How did it turn out @BIGSHCLUNK ? That might be better than the paint pen.
Title: Re: How to restore A/C vents?
Post by: torredcuda on February 25, 2024, 07:02:24 AM
Best chrome paint pen is Molotow but yes it`s tricky to not have any bad spots, the other option is Bare Metal foil which is something modelers use for the chrome look.

https://www.bare-metal.com/bare-metal-foil.html
Title: Re: How to restore A/C vents?
Post by: BIGSHCLUNK on February 25, 2024, 08:29:44 AM
Quote from: blown motor on February 25, 2024, 06:43:34 AM
Quote from: BIGSHCLUNK on February 24, 2024, 08:47:32 PMMy last try on something like that I used a silver sharpie  :notsure:


How did it turn out @BIGSHCLUNK ? That might be better than the paint pen.
It was ok, I did my heater controls - have pics somewhere(???) I know they are on the old C-C site. If I wasn't so lazy I'd run out to the garage.
Title: Re: How to restore A/C vents?
Post by: bentpshrods on February 25, 2024, 08:38:30 AM
   I used a bottle of Testors silver enamel paint from my model building. Those small square bottles you find at hobby shops, Hobby Lobby ect. Thinned it a little and it flowed out well, and just brushed it on. It's more of a semi gloss silver than chrome looking. Matched the trim around my rallye dash and inside steering wheel.
Title: Re: How to restore A/C vents?
Post by: 70 Challenger Lover on February 26, 2024, 05:44:59 AM
Quote from: bentpshrods on February 25, 2024, 08:38:30 AMI used a bottle of Testors silver enamel paint from my model building. Those small square bottles you find at hobby shops, Hobby Lobby ect. Thinned it a little and it flowed out well, and just brushed it on. It's more of a semi gloss silver than chrome looking. Matched the trim around my rallye dash and inside steering wheel.

I've done this too with nice results. Definitely not chrome in appearance but it's bright and shiny and looks a million times nicer than black worn spots.
Title: Re: How to restore A/C vents?
Post by: Duodec on May 30, 2024, 04:09:37 PM
Wonder if one of the 'chrome' spray paints like Dupli-color would work.  Obviously sprayed into a cup and brushed on, unless you're great at masking all the fiddly bits...