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Door panel paint?

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Old Oct 4, 2021 | 05:40 PM
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Door panel paint?

My orange '73 Explorer will soon be getting a new set of much-needed interior door panels! I ordered a set of neutral color (unpainted) Dennis Carpenter reproduction panels from NPD. I know I'll probably have to get someone to custom-mix the paint for me. I can probably clean up one of the old door panels and have a paint shop scan it and come up with a close match. But what kind of paint is best for this application? Would regular spray-bomb paint work?
 
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Old Oct 4, 2021 | 06:02 PM
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SEM color coat is about the best for this kind of thing. but if they don't have a color that works then as you say you'll have to custom mix. just tell your distributor it's for plastic.

often an adhesion promotor is called for but they'll be able to tell you if you need one.

I assume you have an orange interior if it's not black. Mopar had a burnt orange in the 70's that you used to be able to buy premix for. if it's close enough to your color.
 
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Old Oct 5, 2021 | 01:39 AM
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Spray bomb will come off, you need paint specific for plastic application. SEM has a great reputation.

https://www.thespruce.com/best-paint...lastic-4428090

Dupli-color vinyl interior paint....You must choose a special paint with strong elasticity and bonding capabilities....Use paints that are specifically formulated to adhere to plastics. There are several available on the market such as Krylon Fusion for Plastic, Valspar Plastic Spray Paint, and Rust-Oleum Specialty Paint For Plastic Spray . If using regular spray paint then your item will need to be primed.
 
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Old Oct 5, 2021 | 07:54 AM
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I used Colorbond LVP for my door panels, carpet, and dash pad. I have been pleased with the results thus far.
 
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Old Oct 5, 2021 | 08:11 AM
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Good information so far... thanks! When the time comes, I'll visit English Color Supply and see what they can do for me.

I guess I should have mentioned that these door panels are for an F100 Custom, not a Ranger. The door panels are injection-molded hard plastic (probably polystyrene or something similar), not vinyl.

This is what the interior looks like now. It's not quite as good it appears in the photo. The truck is going into the paint shop over the winter. When that's done, I'll restore the interior properly. I had SMS Auto Fabrics make me a set of NOS seat covers. I ordered a molded 80/20 loop carpet set from StockInteriors.com in an orange color that will be a perfect match. Yes, I know, Explorers didn't come with carpet, but I like having carpet. I have a new off-white headliner. The original sun visors are in great shape, so I'll reuse them. Previous owner replaced the dash pad.


 
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