I have seen a few posts in the past on this and watched many videos. Now I'm tackling a worn out dash (2004 X, Dark Slate Grey) and wanted to pass along my journey. I had to do my heater core so while I was in there I removed the dash and each and every piece along with it. I plan to paint each piece including the skin of the dash.
As others have experienced, the dash comes with various plastic types, I have found TPO, PC/ABS, PP, TFPP, PVC, PA6-GF30, and a few unknown pieces that aren't marked on the back. This can be confusing but it just boils down to whether it "melts" with acetone and which adhesion promoter to use (known example: ABS will use sand free, TPO will use plastic adhesion promoter), I think this is an important step that could lead to inferior results if you don't prep properly based on the type of plastic. I am fairly certain that none of the pieces are "vinyl" but more just plastic and maybe a leather wrapped steering wheel. That's only relevant because SEM sells a Vinyl Prep (38343) that is a cleaner/adhesion promoter combo that is different than the plastic adhesion promoters below.
I'm using SEM paint and using this as my guide SEM Interior Refinish Guide, also this youtube video is the best I've seen on the process with different types of materials (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Exij60EWM70). I have found on a previous forum post that the color code for my interior was 17373 (SEM Classic Coat) but I want to point out that Classic Coat is for leather and vinyl whereas SEM Color Coat is for plastic so I believe my color code is 15303. I will be using the SEM soap (39362), then Plastic and Leather Prep (38353), I will test the back of the plastics that are unknown, if they "melt" I will use SEM Sand Free Adhesion Promoter (38363) and if not I will use Plastic Adhesion Promoter (39863), then I'll paint with Color Coat 15303. I'm buying from Summit Racing but as an FYI you can't return the products unless you live next to one of their four stores so I'm buying 1 of each product above to test the process.
I'll post pics along the way and may make a video if I'm in the mood. Stay tuned!
As others have experienced, the dash comes with various plastic types, I have found TPO, PC/ABS, PP, TFPP, PVC, PA6-GF30, and a few unknown pieces that aren't marked on the back. This can be confusing but it just boils down to whether it "melts" with acetone and which adhesion promoter to use (known example: ABS will use sand free, TPO will use plastic adhesion promoter), I think this is an important step that could lead to inferior results if you don't prep properly based on the type of plastic. I am fairly certain that none of the pieces are "vinyl" but more just plastic and maybe a leather wrapped steering wheel. That's only relevant because SEM sells a Vinyl Prep (38343) that is a cleaner/adhesion promoter combo that is different than the plastic adhesion promoters below.
I'm using SEM paint and using this as my guide SEM Interior Refinish Guide, also this youtube video is the best I've seen on the process with different types of materials (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Exij60EWM70). I have found on a previous forum post that the color code for my interior was 17373 (SEM Classic Coat) but I want to point out that Classic Coat is for leather and vinyl whereas SEM Color Coat is for plastic so I believe my color code is 15303. I will be using the SEM soap (39362), then Plastic and Leather Prep (38353), I will test the back of the plastics that are unknown, if they "melt" I will use SEM Sand Free Adhesion Promoter (38363) and if not I will use Plastic Adhesion Promoter (39863), then I'll paint with Color Coat 15303. I'm buying from Summit Racing but as an FYI you can't return the products unless you live next to one of their four stores so I'm buying 1 of each product above to test the process.
I'll post pics along the way and may make a video if I'm in the mood. Stay tuned!
