[MadBomber]

Hey guys,
I did my best searching on this to find threads before my time, but couldn't come up with anything, so I ask...

Does anyone have experience painting or swapping out for color purposes, the interior accents? I found this picture from someone on the forum converting the steering wheel to the other side, making me feel pathetic in comparison in regards to modification complexity LOL but his picture helps me nonetheless:

Basically, all the dash and armrest parts in this picture that are green, are light blue in my E - and I would like to make them black. I counted about 6 or 7 pieces total including the rear door armrests. Do you think I can get all of those pieces from Honda for under 150 bucks, or have any of you painted these with anything "over the counter" from home depot and gotten pleasant results? Thanks!

MadBomber

 

[OTG]

You won't be painting them, you will be dyeing them, and I wouldn't dye them, but that's me. I like the blue, personally.

 

[z(+)diac]

Actually several people have painted dashboard and other interior accents. You might want to search a bit, as I'm positive there are some tutorials.

 

[OTG]

I've painted interior parts too, but for changing panel colors, dye is proper.

 

[ShroomMastaP]

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57174

that thread helped me a lot, most of us used krylon fusion, mines held up so far in the florida heat, been almost 10 months now...

 

[MadBomber]

Thanks guys!

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57174

that thread helped me a lot, most of us used krylon fusion, mines held up so far in the florida heat, been almost 10 months now...

I wouldn't say I HATE the blue - my beloved old car was blue...loved it for over a decade. But the Element is going full on Raider motif blue doesn't make it into the plans for that. Thanks again for the advice, I'll be looking into this link and krylon fusion!

MadBomber

 

[Flat Lander]

There are several professional brands of plastic and vinyl paint. If you go to an automotive paint supply they can recommend a product that will work best. If you follow the directions to a T, it's works very well. There is a specific process that needs to be "adhered" (no pun intended) to ensure proper adhesion. The pieces need to be degreased, scuffed and cleaned very well. There is an adhesion promoter that also must be applied before paint. For small things or non wear and tear items the Krylon Fusion works well, but I wouldn't recommend it for your interior. That's just my opinion FWIW.

 

[AztecRol]

I wouldn't say I HATE the blue - my beloved old car was blue...loved it for over a decade. But the Element is going full on Raider motif blue doesn't make it into the plans for that. Thanks again for the advice, I'll be looking into this link and krylon fusion!

MadBomber

You should go to:

San Leandro Color
555 E. 14th Street
San Leandro, CA 94577

They will have EVERYTHING you need to paint your interior. They even
have the ability to put whatever color you want into a spray can. I bought
two cans of Royal Blue Pearl for some projects I have done on the E. I also
got adhesion promoter as well as clear coat, all in a spray can. So if you have
a specific black or silver color you want, they can get it to you, all you need
is the factory paint code.

Good luck.

 

[Flat Lander]

...as well as clear coat...

Oop's forgot that. Once you paint plastic, it's not as durable as it is if it were dyed. In other words, most of your interior pieces are the same color all the way through. What I mean is if you cut, scratch or break a piece it's the same color on the inside as it is on the outside. Once you paint them, the paint basically just sits on top and if it gets scratched you can see the old color underneath. Clear coat will help the longevity.

 

[MadBomber]

Thanks!!

You should go to:

San Leandro Color
555 E. 14th Street
San Leandro, CA 94577

They will have EVERYTHING you need to paint your interior. They even
have the ability to put whatever color you want into a spray can. I bought
two cans of Royal Blue Pearl for some projects I have done on the E. I also
got adhesion promoter as well as clear coat, all in a spray can. So if you have
a specific black or silver color you want, they can get it to you, all you need
is the factory paint code.

Good luck.

That is exactly 1 mile from where I live I will be stopping in there this weekend! I guess my biggest concern is going to be my general lack of familiarity with the Element interior pieces, and fearing breaking something trying to take the pieces out and put them back. Any experts on such a thing? I am sort of just assuming a flathead screwdriver used gently and wisely will do the trick

MadBomber

 

[Flat Lander]

I'm not familiar with the E's interior, but most interior panels are held in place with those little plastic Christmas tree looking clips. Sometimes a putty knife helps, sometimes the panel removal tools work better. You can buy a set of panel poppers from like Harbor Freight pretty cheap. You can also just use brute force (very carefully), sometimes the clips break, sometimes you get lucky.

Do a search in the DIY section for window regulator or door lock. There's an awesome pictorial from a member (I think "Locksmith") for door panel removal.

Here, found the link (It's a sticky btw) http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41442