Refinishing the Sunshade Louvre

[dn010]

I'm reaching the point where I'll be ready to refinish my upper "sunshade louvre". It has a broken rib that still needs attention (I'll be calling soon, Rob!), and a few other spots that need help. I want something I can do HVLP- I don't want a rattle can, and of course I don't want to have to do this again anytime soon (I need a paint that will last!). Most of what I am reading here is 5 years old - is the consensus still SEM? The factory paint shined up quite nicely, is that the same result with the SEM paint?

Thoughts?

[mluder]

The SEM paint has a bit of a "texture" to it. That said, a couple of washes sort of knocks that down.
About 4 years ago I used SEM rattle can on mine and it's held up quite well.

Cheers
Steven

[Dangermouse]

I think I am right in saying that the louvres came "au naturel" from the factory i.e. Not painted.

[dn010]

Can you elaborate? Is it like a Gel coat kind of thing?

I think I am right in saying that the louvres came "au naturel" from the factory i.e. Not painted.

[Dangermouse]

I think it was just polished fiberglass. But it does seem to fade over the years, like the side louvres on the B posts.

Previous owners use Back to Black or ArmorAll to blacken them up and those tend to leave a gel coat on it and make it harder to paint.

[Drive Stainless]

Gloss black louvers for the win!

[BladeBronson]

I feel the same about gloss black as I do about vertical videos.

[DMC-81]

I had mine professionally painted with SEM black, but the shop recommended and did a satin clear coat for durability. I was really happy with the result. Here's a picture of the louver and fascia when I reinstalled them:

[PJ Grady Inc.]

I think I am right in saying that the louvres came "au naturel" from the factory i.e. Not painted.

No they are all painted. The fiberglass underneath is white as you will discover if yours is ever scratched or damaged. If you inspect all of the side edges you're likely to see some white spots where the paint is worn through.
Rob

[Dangermouse]

Aha. So I was wrong. I wonder where I got that idea?