Anybody tried to restore their dash bezel? I have a can of Krylon Chrome paint just sitting around, doing nothing...

Any success stories, advice, whatever, appreciated

Thanks!

 

Not yet, but I'll be sending mine out to be vacuum metalized like new!

Larry

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 08-Jan-03 AT 06:16 PM (EST)]If you paint it, I wouldn't use Krylon- it might attack the plastic. Use an enamel-type paint.

Joe

 

I had a local sign painter paint mine with an airbrush and it looks perfect. Instead of chrome I had it painted gray and black and IMO it looks better than original.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 08-Jan-03 AT 11:23 PM (EST)]I had mine out one day and thought I might try to touch it up myself. After about two hours of frustration, I grabbed the can of flat black primer and sprayed the whole thing black. Stood back and looked at it...grabbed a fine brush and some white enamel model paint and painted in the F O R D. Reinstalled it into the dash and, personally, I think it looks great! So does everyone else who has seen it. Eventually, I will make a maple insert for it and install all round gauges, but that is in the future. Here is a shot of it from my gallery. It's a bit on the dusty side and the flash washed it out a little, but you can get the idea. I think it looks really nice contrasting with the white dash.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displayimage.php?&photoid=12327&width=0


Chad Burns
1968 F-250 390 2v auto
Aurora, CO.

 

It does look sharp. I've got three bezels (4 if you count the one in my truck) to try different stuff on - Ebay is a wonderful thing...

 

>If you paint it, I wouldn't use Krylon- it might attack the
>plastic. Use an enamel-type paint.
>
>Joe

Any reason for the suspicion that it might attack the plastic?

 

Yeah- I don't remember the exact "ingredient", it's something like acetone or xylene or tolulene (just rattling off here) but it does attack certain types of plastics. I sprayed Krylon on lexan one time just to see the amount of damage. It clouded it up really bad and made the surface rough. You might try spraying a little bit on the inside of the bezel- maybe you'll get lucky. I personally wouldn't take the chance.

Good Luck-

Joe

 

Thanks, Joe

I have a couple of extra bezels that I got fairly cheap. I will try the back of one. Should I expect it to deteriorate right away if it's going to?

I have also heard about Argent paint - available from the dealer. Is that a color they used on the bezels? Would I have to go to the dealer to find out what colors are correct, or are there other sources for that kind of restoration info.

Thanks again

 

>Not yet, but I'll be sending mine out to be vacuum metalized
>like new!
>
>Larry


How does that work? do they chrome the whole thing and then paint the different colors on it?

 

Yes, they chrome the whole thing. When I've done it in the past I did the paint work afterwards. You have to mask using vaseline as taping risks removal of the chrome. I think some companies will do the painting for you though.

Argent is a silver color used on alot of oem steel wheels. Like chev rally rims. It is a nice color imo. For most of my siver spray can needs I use SEM light titanium. It goes on really nice in light coats and is pretty much the same as argent. It says "Ford truck" on the bottom of the can too!

Larry

 

>Yes, they chrome the whole thing. When I've done it in the
>past I did the paint work afterwards. You have to mask using
>vaseline as taping risks removal of the chrome. I think some
>companies will do the painting for you though.
>
>Argent is a silver color used on alot of oem steel wheels.
>Like chev rally rims. It is a nice color imo. For most of my
>siver spray can needs I use SEM light titanium. It goes on
>really nice in light coats and is pretty much the same as
>argent. It says "Ford truck" on the bottom of the can too!
>
>Larry


Thanks, Larry - that's very helpful. I appreciate your help. Tips like the vaseline are great! I have lots more questions!

So I gather you do the paint work with rattle cans? Have you done several of these? Any special considerations like the one above about the Krylon? What types of paint do you use and what types are a no-no? How many different colors? How did you find out what colors are "correct", or do you go with what you like? Did you get your paint from Ford, or aftermarket?

I really think you should write a tech article. This is good stuff.


Thanks again!

 

They make spray cans for plastic models in just about any color you want. They are gauranteed not to "eat" the plastic as that is what they are intended for.
Russell
1968 F250 LWB 300-6

FORD=First on Race Day
THE 2003 LINEUP
#88 Dale Jarrett-UPS-Robert Yates Racing
#38 Elliott Sadler-M&M's-Robert Yates Racing
#97 Kurt Busch-Sharpie/Rubbermaid-Rousch Racing

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 10-Jan-03 AT 09:19 AM (EST)]I did one on a '68 F250 I used to have with the Krylon (because I didn't know any better) and it came out fine. I only did the outside part as the inner part (the spear with "F O R D" on it) was too difficult to mask. But it did not eat the plastic and looked pretty good.

 

I've done a few plastic dashes but not particularly for Ford trucks. I do use rattle cans and I just try to find one close to the correct color. I like the SEM brand products as they go on well for me. I like very light coats and semi-gloss. Light coats leave a more even finish and you avoid problems with melting the plastic or fisheyes due to armor all. Some paints will melt some plastics but I've only had the problem when using real paint (sprayed with a compressor) and trying to achieve a high gloss (high build coats). The newly chromed dash pieces don't react because you are spraying on the chrome. I'll take pics the next time (couple months) and try to write something up.

Larry