DIY Wanted: Painting Rear Diffuser

[syenisch]

I am interested in painting my rear diffuser black to match the Shadowline trim, grills, etc. anybody done this themselves and got any tips? I've never painted myself before, do would just like some pointers/verification that my plan sounds appropriate:

1. Remove diffuser and wash thoroughly with Dawn.
2. Wet sand with 1000 grit sandpaper to rough up the surface a bit.
3. Apply 1 coat adhesion promoter.
4. Apply 2 coats primer. Wet sand with 2000 grit where appropriate. Thoroughly wash diffuser with Dawn to remove loose particles.
5. Apply 3 coats paint. Wet sand with 2000 grit where appropriate. Thoroughly wash diffuser with Dawn to remove loose particles.
6. Apply 3 coats clear coat. Wet sand with 2000 grit where appropriate.

Thoughts/suggestions?

[syenisch]

Can nobody provide any tips?

[tracer bullet]

I've DIY painted some things over the years and that's about the process I use but done slightly better. The steps are in the right order and the sanding is good, your results should be great too. I personally might just use a tack cloth between some steps instead of washing over and over but I can't see the washes being a bad thing.

[ken1137]

Originally Posted by syenisch

I am interested in painting my rear diffuser black to match the Shadowline trim, grills, etc. anybody done this themselves and got any tips? I've never painted myself before, do would just like some pointers/verification that my plan sounds appropriate:

1. Remove diffuser and wash thoroughly with Dawn.
2. Wet sand with 1000 grit sandpaper to rough up the surface a bit.
3. Apply 1 coat adhesion promoter.
4. Apply 2 coats primer. Wet sand with 2000 grit where appropriate. Thoroughly wash diffuser with Dawn to remove loose particles.
5. Apply 3 coats paint. Wet sand with 2000 grit where appropriate. Thoroughly wash diffuser with Dawn to remove loose particles.
6. Apply 3 coats clear coat. Wet sand with 2000 grit where appropriate.

Thoughts/suggestions?

Just one suggestion if you are as anal as I am...
I work with a company that supplies coated abrasives to the auto industry. Try to find #2500 or #3000 grit for the final step for #5 and #6. Don't buy the cheap paper (Gator or other), try to find 3M. #2000 grit is ok & 7 ums avg particle size, but typically #2500 (5 ums) and #3000 (4 ums) would be used for the final coat of paint and clear coat. Doesn't sound like much of difference, but one boulder (50 ums) in the paper could create a scratch that will drive you nuts.

[1Pirate]

Rather than going through all those painting steps I just purchased a can of gloss black plastic paint from Lowes and painted mine with it. I put three coats on it. No need to use adhesion promoter or clear coat with the plastic paint. I also did the rear cutout.