Topic: Color match for 67 decor group Reproduction Fiberglass shell

[robz64]

Hello to All,

Can someone give me guidance on the proper black color for a fiberglass front and back seat shell?  This is for the decor group/fastback. Which company has the most reliable color match that I can order from, NPD? Etc... Any codes on the color from those companies would also be greatly appreciated so I don't go too insane! 

Also, any suggestion on prep work before the main color goes on would be helpful. Thank you ahead!

[Bob Gaines]

Hello to All,

Can someone give me guidance on the proper black color for a fiberglass front and back seat shell?  This is for the decor group/fastback. Which company has the most reliable color match that I can order from, NPD? Etc... Any codes on the color from those companies would also be greatly appreciated so I don't go too insane! 

Also, any suggestion on prep work before the main color goes on would be helpful. Thank you ahead!

It is a basic semigloss black . You can use a regular paint but one made for plastics is best. Don't over think it. Sem landau black is one alternative there are others . Medical grade sanitary is best to start but as long as clean and dirt ,dust , grease free. What ever it takes to get it there is what you want . A plastic adhesion product is advised before laying down paint. There are many different mfgs out there. It is best to use a adhesion product from one of the same product line as the paint but it is not a absolute. I think they all will work with most spray can paints. Sem is the product line I use but there are other alternatives. Sem is a common brand at auto paint stores . I think NPD handles some Sem products.

[robz64]

Thank you Bob, as always!

[J_Speegle]

Can someone give me guidance on the proper black color for a fiberglass front and back seat shell?  This is for the decor group/fastback. Which company has the most reliable color match that I can order from, NPD? Etc... Any codes on the color from those companies would also be greatly appreciated so I don't go too insane! 

Originally the black panels were not fiberglass but molded plastic so I altered the thread title

Two challenges is getting the amount of gloss as close as it would be in plastic and being careful to not fill the grain and texture with paint during your refinishing process

[DougDyar]

I've had good results using dye, not paint. Doesn't seem to fill up the grain. Use several light coats vs one or two heavier coats. SEM and others make dye in spray cans.

[robz64]

Thank you Jeff.  I didn't realize that aspect about the Fiberglass vs Original Plastic shell. I found a product that is classified as a Charcoal black SME#39143 spray paint. I was told this has a sheen to it, but not a gloss. I was also suggested to use part SME# 77774 as a surface cleaner to get out any injection mold debris, oil or static before applying the paint. Finished off with a Maroon 3M pad before I put on a few light coats of the spray paint. I'll let you know, if your interested, how it comes out.

[robz64]

Thank you Doug for your thoughts as well, appreciate it. 

[J_Speegle]

................... I'll let you know, if your interested, how it comes out.

Yes let us all know. That is one of the many reasons for the site and the sharing that takes place here.

[Bossbill]

As far as the gloss on my plastic panels I gauged they were more on the 70% gloss level than the 60% gloss.
In other words a bit on the shinier side of semi-gloss.
From the pictures I've seen of the SEM Landau black that product seems to fit the shinier end.
Certainly shinier than SEM Trim Black.

[carlite65]

i always use an adhesion promoter when painting plastic or vinyl. my go to brand is bulldog. clean thoroughly & follow directions on can for flash times.

[Bob Gaines]

As far as the gloss on my plastic panels I gauged they were more on the 70% gloss level than the 60% gloss.
In other words a bit on the shinier side of semi-gloss.
From the pictures I've seen of the SEM Landau black that product seems to fit the shinier end.
Certainly shinier than SEM Trim Black.

You have to be careful using pictures or monitors when determining shade or sheen because they don't always represent true. That may explain what you saw. Case in point I just now sprayed a piece of smooth metal because I didn't have a trim panel handy. With the smooth metal it tends to make things look shinier. In this case when dried the paint shows black with what I would call a semi gloss sheen. On a textured piece of trim it would certainly be even duller. My spray can of SEM landau black is not on the shinier side of semigloss . I think I have enough experience to make that call.  FYI I didn't say it was the ultimate answer but instead that it was one of possible other alternatives. The OP will have to make his own call.

[robz64]

The SME surface cleaner #77774 cleaned the fiberglass very well and removed any static.  I felt the Maroon 3M very fine pad gave a little bite to the fiberglass without doing anything to the grain on the panel.  I used the a spray paint product that was suggested by Johns Mustang and the SME product suggest in this thread.  I saw that there was very little semi gloss from both paint cans, more a light sheen, actually, a dull with  no reflection.

Here is my procedure which gave me a even coat:
1. Used the 3M maroon pad, gently but with a light push across the whole panel and got under the molding and crevices. Basically every inch of the panel.   
2. Wipe the panel off with a soft terry cloth towel.
3. Spray generously the SME#77774 cleaner , left it on for 10 seconds , wiped it off (Fresh terry cloth) Did this procedure one more time.
4. 4 light coats of the color from 10 inches away. I waited 20 mins between each coat. spraying vertical, not from left to right, but up and down.

This worked well for me with great results.