- Joined
- February 15, 2010
- Messages
- 7,837
- Reaction score
- 24
- City, State
- Charlestown, RI
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2014 Escape SE
After reading several threads on painting the faded black pillar trim I decided to give it a go.
Be sure to check out my other write-ups:
How To: Replace Blend Door Actuator in 3rd Gen Ex
How To: Remove/Replace 3rd Gen Door Panel
How To: Install Signal Mirrors On 3rd Gen Ex
How To: Restore Faded, Yellowing Headlights
How To: Replace Multifunction Switch in 3rd Gen Ex
How To: Replace 3rd Gen Ambient Air Temperature Sensor
How To: Test a Relay
How To: Remove/Replace 3rd Gen Center Console
I have only done the rears so far. I will update this thread when I do the side pillars. I decided to leave the rear pillars on the vehicle since they are riveted on and opening the liftgate and glass allows for easy masking. The sides are relatively easy to remove so when I get to that stage I will take them off. Here is how it went:
This is a shot of what they used to look like:
I masked off the area prior to sanding so I didn't end up sanding something I didn't want to like the body. I first sanded with 600 grit then I wet sanded with 800 grit:
Next step was masking off the area really well:
Then I applied the paint. I used Krylon Fusion Gloss Black. I did not use primer. I applied 4 coats with 30 minutes between the 1st & 2nd coats and 15 minutes between subsequent coats:
I let it dry overnight before removing the masking. This is after 4 coats:
This is what it looked like after removing the masking the next day:
It has been almost 3 weeks and it appears to be holding up really well. It doesn't shine like the original did but it looks 1000% better than it did. After about 2 weeks while cleaning the truck I accidently got Windex on it and thought I had ruined all my work. The Windex left ugly marks on the paint. I was thinking that if Windex does this then it is not going to last at all. I had some Meguiar's Cleaner Wax left over and that did the trick. I planned on waxing it anyway to protect it from the elements.
I was dreading doing this because I figured it was going to take forever and be a real PITA. It wasn't bad at all. I did the other side the next night and figure it was about 2 hours a side. Hope this helps all you guys that can't decide if you want to do this to go for it. You won't be disappointed!!
Be sure to check out my other write-ups:
How To: Replace Blend Door Actuator in 3rd Gen Ex
How To: Remove/Replace 3rd Gen Door Panel
How To: Install Signal Mirrors On 3rd Gen Ex
How To: Restore Faded, Yellowing Headlights
How To: Replace Multifunction Switch in 3rd Gen Ex
How To: Replace 3rd Gen Ambient Air Temperature Sensor
How To: Test a Relay
How To: Remove/Replace 3rd Gen Center Console
I have only done the rears so far. I will update this thread when I do the side pillars. I decided to leave the rear pillars on the vehicle since they are riveted on and opening the liftgate and glass allows for easy masking. The sides are relatively easy to remove so when I get to that stage I will take them off. Here is how it went:
This is a shot of what they used to look like:
I masked off the area prior to sanding so I didn't end up sanding something I didn't want to like the body. I first sanded with 600 grit then I wet sanded with 800 grit:
Next step was masking off the area really well:
Then I applied the paint. I used Krylon Fusion Gloss Black. I did not use primer. I applied 4 coats with 30 minutes between the 1st & 2nd coats and 15 minutes between subsequent coats:
I let it dry overnight before removing the masking. This is after 4 coats:
This is what it looked like after removing the masking the next day:
It has been almost 3 weeks and it appears to be holding up really well. It doesn't shine like the original did but it looks 1000% better than it did. After about 2 weeks while cleaning the truck I accidently got Windex on it and thought I had ruined all my work. The Windex left ugly marks on the paint. I was thinking that if Windex does this then it is not going to last at all. I had some Meguiar's Cleaner Wax left over and that did the trick. I planned on waxing it anyway to protect it from the elements.
I was dreading doing this because I figured it was going to take forever and be a real PITA. It wasn't bad at all. I did the other side the next night and figure it was about 2 hours a side. Hope this helps all you guys that can't decide if you want to do this to go for it. You won't be disappointed!!