Repainting the interior HOWTO
Finally got around to removing all of the interior pieces (well most of them so far) in order to repaint them. They're pretty faded, some to the point of being almost grey in color instead of the original dark blue. So I'm putting this as kind of howto article.
What you'll need:
You can start pretty much wherever you want, just start removing the plastic parts you need to paint. On my Grand Prix these are:
Removing most of this is pretty straightforward, with the following possible exceptions:
You might want to get some baggies to put screws in and label them, I didn't and I think I've forgotten where some of them go! 🙁
Once you've got them out, clean them. Get as much of the dirt and treatments (like armor all etc.) off of them as you can. I used some simple green and a rag and soft brush. Be careful though! Some of the parts, especially the A-pillar trim may start to flake off and even come off in pieces. So be gentle. 😀
On the door panels, remove the armrests, switch trim, etc. Mine have a chrome ring around the bottom carpet section which is held in place by a bunch of bent-over metal tabs, take this off too, unless you'd rather mask it off. My GP has a fabric on the top panels, I don't think this is the case on all of the G-Bodies though, so you may be painting the tops as well. If your fabric is faded you can use this same paint to freshen it up a bit.
Paint! Be sure to shake the living daylights out of the cans, as this stuff apparently needs to be mixed up rather well. Work in light coats (you guys know how to paint stuff, right! :wink: ) It dries quickly, like in 10-15 minutes, so its not as bad as it sounds. Some areas that are particularly faded might need a lot of coats, or if you're altogether changing colors. The A-pillar and 'dash-corner' parts were especially faded on mine, along with the rear panels.
Be sure to work in someplace well ventilated, because this paint has some nasty fumes! :lol:
Once I get the rear panels out I'll try to post some before and after pictures to show just how badly faded out this stuff can get from the sun. My rear panels have a nice dark stripe where the seat belt rests.
Finally got around to removing all of the interior pieces (well most of them so far) in order to repaint them. They're pretty faded, some to the point of being almost grey in color instead of the original dark blue. So I'm putting this as kind of howto article.
What you'll need:
- Philips screwdriver
- Big Torx head for seat belt bolts (don't have exact # atm)
- SEM color coat aerosol paint in the correct (or close) color
- Soap/water/rags to clean the parts
- pliers for bending pins around and such
You can start pretty much wherever you want, just start removing the plastic parts you need to paint. On my Grand Prix these are:
- T-Top latch points (if equipped)
- A-pillar trim
- Piece that goes in the corner of the dash 1/2 way down the front of the door jam
- Kick panels
- Shifter boot bezel (or console parts if so equipped)
- B-Pillar/inside back of door piece
- Top and Bottom rear inside panels
- Top of windshield trim
- Top of rear window trim
- Bottom door panels (mine are two piece, YMMV)
Removing most of this is pretty straightforward, with the following possible exceptions:
- Be careful removing the pieces that go into the corner of the dash, they're wedged in there kind of strange. They come out easier than they go back in, but if they've become brittle they could snap in half on you.
- Be aware that the trim piece above the rear window has a hard plastic clip in the center of it holding it up. I broke this clip removing mine, so be aware.
- I haven't yet figured out how to get the rear panels out. It looks like I'm going to have to remove the rear seat to get them out. I may even need to remove the front seats in order to unhook the seat belts at the floor to run them through. These I'll be doing last 😀 Also be careful, as you might catch the top panels on the headliner if you're not careful, and maybe tear it up.
You might want to get some baggies to put screws in and label them, I didn't and I think I've forgotten where some of them go! 🙁
Once you've got them out, clean them. Get as much of the dirt and treatments (like armor all etc.) off of them as you can. I used some simple green and a rag and soft brush. Be careful though! Some of the parts, especially the A-pillar trim may start to flake off and even come off in pieces. So be gentle. 😀
On the door panels, remove the armrests, switch trim, etc. Mine have a chrome ring around the bottom carpet section which is held in place by a bunch of bent-over metal tabs, take this off too, unless you'd rather mask it off. My GP has a fabric on the top panels, I don't think this is the case on all of the G-Bodies though, so you may be painting the tops as well. If your fabric is faded you can use this same paint to freshen it up a bit.
Paint! Be sure to shake the living daylights out of the cans, as this stuff apparently needs to be mixed up rather well. Work in light coats (you guys know how to paint stuff, right! :wink: ) It dries quickly, like in 10-15 minutes, so its not as bad as it sounds. Some areas that are particularly faded might need a lot of coats, or if you're altogether changing colors. The A-pillar and 'dash-corner' parts were especially faded on mine, along with the rear panels.
Be sure to work in someplace well ventilated, because this paint has some nasty fumes! :lol:
Once I get the rear panels out I'll try to post some before and after pictures to show just how badly faded out this stuff can get from the sun. My rear panels have a nice dark stripe where the seat belt rests.