Hello,

Does anyone know how to do interrior paint repairs on the plastic and metal surfaces? I found exterior touch-up paint for sale but can't find it for interrior colors.

I have a tan interrior with silver accents and could use repairs on both surfaces.

Thanks,

-T

 

bumperplugs can fix that for you but you'll have to take the part out and send it to them

 

Thanks. Unfortunately, that's not going to work. I have several scratches on the center console. It would be hard to ship it and be without a console while it's getting fixed.

I was looking for a touch up solution I could do on my own.

-T

 

PM Eric at Bumperplugs...great guy he'll help you out!

 

You can try mixing plastic model paint to match. Testors has a flat tan, but it's probably not an exact match. You'll may need to mix in some flat white or flat brown. Get a really fine brush and experiment before painting the console.

 

Your best bet on this stuff is to call around to your local highline dealers (MB, BMW, Lexus, Audi, Porsche, etc) and ask the service mgr who they use for leather repair.

You will likely find one guy who is the expert in your town. These guys do all the CPO touchups (you'd be surprised to see what gets fixed and passed for new), but they can touch up plastic, leather, vinyl, etc.

Aluma finishes are much harder to do, that's often best done by parts replacement or swap with our aluma parts (or factory).

But try the local route first. These guys are wizards with airguns. They mix on site to get a perfect match, then cover the problem. And it's not just paint - it involves various fillers, sanding, etc.

 

This is another good argument for ordering leather interiors.

 

Thanks everyone.

I am mostly interested in fixing the plastic surfaces. The learner is fine. I have the leather dash and roof but the center console is plastic. I can take the ashtray out to the local home depot and see if they can mix a plastic paint to match. I'll try it and see what happens and report back.

Thanks,

-T

 

oh and the guy at Bumperplugs told me it can't be done as there is no such thing as touch up paint for interrior plastics.

 

Whoever that local guy is that the dealers use did my sand beige interior before I bought it. The problem is he may have sanded the old paint before he sprayed it, but he didn't remove the old paint, and that old paint is soft and peeling. So the new paint on top of it is also peeling with what's underneath. If you can take it to a top-notch interior shop and they will strip, prep and prime it and then paint it, that's a job that might last a while.

FYI, the console and ash tray, along with the power window switch surrounds and the door speaker surrounds are nearly the same color plastic as the paint. I've been thinking of trying the ashtray just stripping it and giving it a light bead blasting to impart the matte look.

Some of the other trim, like the seatbelt reel surrounds, some of the door trim, and the strip between the windshield and dash (where the defroster ducts are) are black underneath. Oddly, the ignition key surround is sand-beige underneath but the headlight switch surround is black underneath.

 

were you able to get home depot to match the ashtray? I need to touch up my sand beige interior also.

 

Your email to me did not reference PAINTED plastic. Obviously we specialize in painting plastic.

But for the LEATHER COLORED plastic (most of what is in your car now) that cannot be painted to match the leather color.

For example, if you have a Sand Beige interior, and non leather, unpainted console (standard) it is done in soft touch rubberized coating to match the leather interior. It is NOT painted like our painted parts. Those leather colored plastics CAN be touched up by local folks if they are good enough.

But if you are referring to PAINTED parts done to match the exterior (our specialty), of course they can be painted. We produce them all day, and for dealers and customers alike.

We, however, do not produce touch up paint as our materials (14 stages worth) can't be bottled with any shelf life, and there are EPA and shipping issues involved with what we use.

However, if you want to get the console redone, it can be done.

 

Ok, just to clarify, I am NOT looking to paint leather. I am looking to paint the plastic parts that are on the center console right after the stick shift. I'll take a picture and post it. I'll also go to home depot and see what they say. I have nothing to lose by trying out a little sample. It can't look any worse.

-T