thanks guys
Dan

 

Any major auto stores carry SEM stuff? I don't claim to be a pro painter but I've done a few. Big word of caution for those who haven't had a sad experience: if you have any residual waxes, oils or (especially) silicone.... thinners, reducers, acetone, alcohol only thin it out. you will still have a remainder that will cause paint to peel or flake later. You MUST clean it with a detergent and a scrubby sponge. Not wifey's hand dishwashing detergent, that has oils to keep her hands pretty. Use either an industrial detergent or machine dishwasher stuff. Rinse well then scuff with 400.

 

No, check your local upholstery supply or auto paint shop.

 

You need to get it at an auto supply paint shop. Check your local listings or call up a local body shop to ask where you can get it. I have had very good results with the SEM trim paint as well. One suggestion is to also get a can of SEM self etching primer. It will give the paint something to stick to and keep the finish looking good longer.

 

You can get it on Amazon as well, FWIW. That's where I got mine I think...

 

One thing that we often ignore when we talk about painting technique is fingerprints on parts to be painted. I can't tell you how many times a perfectly-prepped piece or panel is damaged by folks who insist on dragging their oily fingers across the prepped surface, or handle a prepped part with bare hands as they hang it up. Wear clean painters gloves!

3M and others make specific wax-oil-silicone removers for use when prepping parts for paint. It's not as handy as acetone nor as cheap, but it's much better for this task. Acetone will affect the surfaces of virtually anything that has been sprayed with an underlayer like a primer or sealer. If your window trim happpens to be the later plastic kind, acetone is probably the last thing you want to use as a wipe-down, as it will leach part of the plastic as you wipe.

Now back to your regularly-scheduled browsing...

 

+1 I use Kleen Strip Prep All