A-Pillar Paint Prep -- Sand or Not????

[SJB]

I'm getting ready to order an A-Pillar gauge kit, and as far as I know the pod is not going to be painted. But I think it will be coming with both primer and paint. I read a link on the dieselmanor website that they recommend sanding the pod with 220 grit sandpaper.

I was just wondering if it was necessary to sand the pod? If you use a primer paint, does that avoid the need to having to sand? What did you guys and gals do with yours?

[powerhoghp]

Sanding will help any paint adhere better, though primer paint can eliminate this step for some cases. It depends on the material....

[lightn95]

dont use 220!! youll see the scratch marks through the paint. ask me how i know. you really should sand it so the primer sticks better. 600 is good enough, the primer will stick and you wont see any scratch's in the pod

[SJB]

Thanks for the feedback so far. Anybody NOT sand their pods, and they turned out just fine?

Where are you guys getting your paint that exactly matches? Do the Ford dealers sell a large can of matching spray paint? If so, how much do they usually run?

[JSchuricht]

Did min almost four years ago. Just wiped it down with some isopropyl alcohol and sprayed a few coats of Ford's paint.

[Jarrod B]

when i got all my gauge parts from diesel manor last year, pods do NOT come with sand paper and paint. the pod is a black plastic pod and it aint primed. you gotta do all that when you get it. 220 is good. just roughen it up to allow the paint to stick. but dont sand off the grain on it.

[JHALL]

Originally Posted by SJB

Thanks for the feedback so far. Anybody NOT sand their pods, and they turned out just fine?

Where are you guys getting your paint that exactly matches? Do the Ford dealers sell a large can of matching spray paint? If so, how much do they usually run?

I didn't sand mine. I got the triple gauge pod from Glow Shift. I can't remember what kind of paint I used, but I didn't do any preparation. It came in the really light gray and I painted it dark gray to better match my dash.

It's been on there over a year now. The truck always sits outside and it hasn't faded or anything. Still looks good.

[justinlogue5_0]

For plastic you can pick up a can(quart size) of Bulldog Adhesive. Spray three coats on the plastic(letting each coat dry before spraying next coat) and then paint it. It chemically bonds the paint to the plastic. Its whats used on bumpers as well so you can actually twist the plastic back and forth and the paint doesn't crack or chip. You should be able to pick this up at any auto paint store. I picked mine up at O'Reillys auto parts store and painted my bushwacker fender flares. NO sanding required.Wipe down with alcohol,spray 3 coats,paint,let dry and your done.Counting dry time it can be started and finished in less than a day.

[roccodart440]

Sanding soap and a 3m pad.