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Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
Anyone ever paint the whole radio bezel on there 2nd gen Explorer? Mine isnt in mint condition so Im thinking of painting it, anyone ever done this before?
There is a few different ways, But first you'll have to remove it, then wash it it really well with Fantastic and a Scothbright pad (Armorall is the worst thing to try and paint over). Then wipe it with a plastic parts cleaner (availible where ever you buy the before mentioned paints)
1. You can then spray it with Interior plastic paint (Duplicolour, MarHyde, they are all the same) or Automotive basecoat
Or if your like me, and have a tendacy to rest your hand on top of the bezel while adjusting the radio (opt. 1 will wear off) or if you want to match your exterior
2. sand really well with 120 grit sand paper, then prime with a high fill automotive primer, sand with 400 then paint with automotive paint to match your vehicles paint code. I painted my custom shifter knob this way and it took a little over a year to wear off on the edges.
I have done two of them. The first was really easy as it was fake woodgrain and with some light sanding, prime, paint, and clearcoat. The first time I used Duplicolor Mirage blue to red. But it was purple most of the time then changed it to body color(blue). I also did the window switch bezels and side window defrost vents.
The second one was a pain. It had the "rubber" coating on it that was peeling off. I use some stuff to remove it and it ruined the plastic underneath it. I then had to skim coat the whole thing in bondo. I also screwed and fiberglassed the radio fit kit in smooth. The finished product was great after ALL that work.
Thanks guys, easy enough.
The bezel does have the rubber material on it tho, Im wondering if I should just clean that and paint over it because Im not sure what to use to remove the rubber coating without effecting the plastic underneath.
The reason I want to paint it is because the rubber came off in a few small spots.
Sorry didn't know yours has a rubber coating on it (my '97 didn't). Before you do anything to it that will have to come off, then your best bet would be option #2 in my last reply.
As to how to remove it, it will take some work, but the 120 grit sand paper should do it.
Or there is option 3. see if you can find a better one at the wreckers.
Sorry didn't know yours has a rubber coating on it (my '97 didn't). Before you do anything to it that will have to come off, then your best bet would be option #2 in my last reply.
As to how to remove it, it will take some work, but the 120 grit sand paper should do it.
Or there is option 3. see if you can find a better one at the wreckers.
If you can get all the rubber off by picking at it that shouldn't damage the plastic. But if the plastic ends up damaged for what ever reason you will need to prime it and the primer will need the 120 grit scratches to make a good bond anyway.
If it leaves any of the glue behind, I would suggest trying some plastic parts cleaner (or other non-solvent based adhesive remover) instead of thinners or mineral spirits they may soften the plastic and damage it any way.
On one of mine I just scratched off the rubber coating that would come off easy and then rubbed the rest of it off with steel wool, and then put kind of a brushed finish on it with the steel wool and then left it. I didn't think it looked too bad.
When I did two of them both had the rubber coating, I took my girls' nail polish remover and wiped small amount of surface at a time then took a razor blade and slowly glided it against and took it off easy, that was the easiest way I found to do it and for the corners I used sand paper lightly, then scuffed the surface with sand paper and cleaned it off with dish detergent and warm water then when it dried I primed, painted and clear coated and came out with a nice smooth gloss finish.
When I did two of them both had the rubber coating, I took my girls' nail polish remover and wiped small amount of surface at a time then took a razor blade and slowly glided it against and took it off easy, that was the easiest way I found to do it and for the corners I used sand paper lightly, then scuffed the surface with sand paper and cleaned it off with dish detergent and warm water then when it dried I primed, painted and clear coated and came out with a nice smooth gloss finish.
