CRG Discussion Forum
Camaro Research Group Discussion => Restoration => Topic started by: z28z11 on May 03, 2015, 11:08:49 PM
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For those of you that are as needy as I am, I thought I might share a pic or two of my super cheap armrest bases I'm putting together for my 68 Z. The current armrests are '69's, probably repops, so I jumped on a pair of '68's at a local swap meet. Only real problem presenting itself was the horrible rattle can black paint job on top of the original gold bases. I should have taken before pics - I've seen brushed house paint give a better look.
Mr. Cheap to the rescue - most of us know how brake fluid removes paint from your car if you're unlucky enough to spill any (as I found out in '73 on the fender of my newly purchased X77). A good bath in brake fluid produced the desired results (as the pics show) with a minimal effort and cost, also without damaging the parent plastic. Tips - do it outdoors in bright sunlight - it accelerates the blistering of the paint, lifting it off the surface fairly quickly. Brushing it several times during the process with an old paint brush helps to dislodge loose paint an help the fluid to penetrate remaining old paint. Remember to wear gloves and eye protection when undertaking this -
It doesn't hurt the plastic base, either grain or features - rinsing in hot soapy water removes any remaining fluid and paint particles - very little is left.
Why do this ? I hate repro parts. I have $5.00 in the pair, plus the cost of brake fluid (about $0.50 cents worth). Add the cost of primer and vinyl spray, and I'm still way ahead, plus I don't have to drill holes for the trim - 68 originals are punched.
I'll post the finished part pics when I'm done -
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Yeah keep the pics coming :) This is something I need to try on some ABS plastic bumper parts and finisher strips for another car.
Don't use dot 5 silicone brake fluid - it's paint safe - won't remove anything! :D
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Yeah keep the pics coming :) This is something I need to try on some ABS plastic bumper parts and finisher strips for another car.
Don't use dot 5 silicone brake fluid - it's paint safe - won't remove anything! :D
I will - hope to get these in primer this weekend, maybe paint.
I used DOT3-4, synthetic; older organic would have probably worked better, but all I could find was synthetic. It worked pretty quickly anyway, once I got it in the sunshine. Ultraviolet really accelerates the process; a bit messy, but cleans up readily. I was pleased with the overall outcome, but I'll wait until the paint goes on to judge it a complete "cheap" success.
Regards,
Steve
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In the past, I've just sprayed a very light coat of clear plastic primer [a must], let it flash off for 15 - 20 mins then paint one light coat of acrylic color on interior parts, normal wet on non-textured exterior parts.
I though all brake fluids [ex. 5.1] were 'technically' synthetic as none of the components occurs naturally.
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A soak in purple power or Castrol Super clean also works, takes a little scrubbing though :) Looking good!
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I used DOT3-4, synthetic; older organic would have probably worked better, but all I could find was synthetic.
Same thing - ALL brake fluid is "synthetic" - no such thing as "organic" brake fluid. :-)