Best paint for louvres?

[rjd2]

Hey folks, so I am in a great place with my car now-all mechanicals that needed it have been refreshed, the car is reliable and runs great. I am ready to tackle minor aesthetic stuff. My next thing to do is paint my rear louvres. I've found threads on the process, but not much on the actual paint. What's the ideal product for this application? Thanks!

[dmcman73]

Hey folks, so I am in a great place with my car now-all mechanicals that needed it have been refreshed, the car is reliable and runs great. I am ready to tackle minor aesthetic stuff. My next thing to do is paint my rear louvres. I've found threads on the process, but not much on the actual paint. What's the ideal product for this application? Thanks!

SEM Trim Black

[MrChocky]

SEM Trim Black

Let me fix that for you: multiple cans of SEM Trim black. I bought 3 to do my louvers, and ended up using a bunch elsewhere. I suspect I'll go through 5 more before I'm done.

[dmcman73]

Let me fix that for you: multiple cans of SEM Trim black. I bought 3 to do my louvers, and ended up using a bunch elsewhere. I suspect I'll go through 5 more before I'm done.

I bought a case of it a while back. If you have a spray gun, they sell it in quarts as well to save money.

[ssdelorean]

SEM Trim Black

Let me fix that for you: multiple cans of SEM Trim black. I bought 3 to do my louvers, and ended up using a bunch elsewhere. I suspect I'll go through 5 more before I'm done.

Ditto & Ditto.

And if you are like me, driving your car to work every day and it sits outside in the sun during that time, you may want to add a coat of clear to help it last a bit longer. I noticed that without the clear, the louvers will fade a bit quicker than everything else since they are on the top getting the direct sunlight. Same for windshield trim.

[rjd2]

Thanks you guys!!

[cdrusn]

Dupli color sells the clear in either gloss or flat in quart cans. Any auto store with a paint selection has them. Need a cheap gun from Harbor Freight to properly apply.

[TTait]

You'll get more durability with a 2k clear, you can get it in gloss or satin, but you MUST use a full N95 or better respirator when spraying it.

I chose to use SEM Texture coat on the louvers before the black. It was too much texture, so I then knocked it down by lightly sanding it down. Depends on if you still have, or want any texture. Strongly suggest that you experiment on another surface before spraying the louver. I used this technique on the louvers and side mirrors. I have not applied clear but I have 2 cans of the satin and may apply that in the future.

[glockworks21]

thought i would try and bring out spots and discoloration with some wax and made it worse. the wax ended up taking off most of what po had put on. I wet sanded it 1200 grit and ordered the same paint suggested from this thread. goes on pretty smooth. worth the xtra money. here is before and after with one light coat.. I will hit it at least one more time... Pretty happy with result..
I ordered some of the ceremic coat that LSC uses. I will send before and after pics once received. going to go over all the black trim and louvers. Im not going to do the stainless






Dave

[Helirich]

Depending on condition, you might try to restore it rather than paint it. It?s not clear to me if the louvers are painted from factory. If it?s just the actual material they are made of, I prefer to bring it back. Kind of like the bumpers. You can check this thread if you like.

https://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?19861-Gtechniq