roof trim repaint options and opinions

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 10 Dec 2017, 13:07

I have a 601 Red Volvo, sans roof rack and the "paint" is peeling off of one side, badly, like almost the whole strip. The other side is fine..

I see a few options:

Repaint the one side with Volvo 601 paint.
Repaint both sides with some gray color to match the bumper and side mirror trim.
Cover both roof trim strips with some wrap film - probably a gray, unless someone knows of a film that matches 601 red.
Snag a roof rail set and roof trim from a gray car at the parts yard - cost probably about the same as a can of 601 spray paint.

Opinions?

Post by **E Showell** » 10 Dec 2017, 18:02

Black out tape repair method has been posted on here before.

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 11 Dec 2017, 06:56

I looked into black out tape. I have a relative whose job is wrapping vehicles with film (buses!) and she told me that small strips have to be cleaned and prepped to avoid adhesion issues, and her opinion was I'd spend as much time on that as I would on stripping and repainting both roof trim strips. I was hoping to find a volvo owner who used a color that matched the gray trim color on the P2, before I considered using film. . Of course I could film over the window frames to match colors...

But thanks for the response anyway...

Post by **Rattnalle** » 11 Dec 2017, 07:12

Refresh all grey plastic trim pieces using black plastic spray paint, rubbing it in while wet to keep the texture of the plastic. Then use the same paint on the roof trim.

The car will look fresh and the trim will all be the same colour.

I've refreshed all my trim with spray paint and it looks as good as new after a year. Can see if I have a picture that shows it well.

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 11 Dec 2017, 07:20

Good idea. I have a can of black spray paint for plastic trim already.. I was thinking at one time of repainting my scratched side mirrors housing, but nixed it because of the paint color.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 11 Dec 2017, 07:30

Refresh all grey plastic trim pieces using black plastic spray paint.

If one wants to go black on plastic. Use the product called "Forever Black".
Forever Black is a black, permanent plastic dye not a liquid wax like competing products.
Forever Black is a lot less work then painting. You don't need to mask off. Just wipe off spills, excess and overshoot as you go.

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 11 Dec 2017, 07:42

Yeah, but I don't think it will work well on the roof trim. I'm trying to keep the job scope creep down... But it doesn't seem to be working...

And now I'm wondering if Volvo uses a special paint for the roof trim, like a paint for plastics.

Post by **Rattnalle** » 11 Dec 2017, 08:46

RickHaleParker wrote: ↑11 Dec 2017, 07:30 Refresh all grey plastic trim pieces using black plastic spray paint.

If one wants to go black on plastic. Use the product called "Forever Black".
Forever Black is a black, permanent plastic dye not a liquid wax like competing products.
Forever Black is a lot less work then painting. You don't need to mask off. Just wipe off spills, excess and overshoot as you go.

What I've used is a regular plastic spray paint. I've sprayed it on then rubbed it in using a rag while wet so that the texture and look of the plastic doesn't change much except for the colour. Does require masking but it didn't take too long for long straight edges like doortrim. The fender bits come off easily. I rubbed the trim with some thinner on a rag before painting.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 11 Dec 2017, 09:33

What I've used is a regular plastic spray paint. I've sprayed it on then rubbed it in using a rag while wet so that the texture and look of the plastic doesn't change much except for the colour.

A lot of but not all of the so called "plastic spray paints" are dyes not paint (a coating). The fact that what you use does not change the surface texture indicates it is a dye not a paint.

Post by **Rattnalle** » 11 Dec 2017, 09:54

RickHaleParker wrote: ↑11 Dec 2017, 09:33 What I've used is a regular plastic spray paint. I've sprayed it on then rubbed it in using a rag while wet so that the texture and look of the plastic doesn't change much except for the colour.

A lot of but not all of the so called "plastic spray paints" are dyes not paint (a coating). The fact that what you use does not change the surface texture indicates it is a dye not a paint.

It is a spray paint. It's not even sold as a trim refresher but as a paint. I've used it on other surfaces as well such as wiper arms and there it leaves a semi glossy surface that looks like plastic. Thus the rubbing with a rag to keep the texture. Most of it ends up in the rag.