Kevin is right - I spent over 4-5 hours just painting the roundels
Step 1:
Remove roundels by prying them off the car with a flat head screwdriver -to avoid damaging the car use a rag around the screwdriver head
Step 2:
Roll up a large one - this is optional
Step 3:
Using 250 grade wet/dry sandpaper remove all the shine from the roundel - pay special attention to the chrome edges
Step 4:
Using 600 grade wet/dry sandpaper go over the roundel until it's completely keyed - keying is just the expression used for taking off the shine - if you dont remove the shine your primer wont stick properly and you'll end up with a bad finish
Step 5:
Roll another large one - this step is also optional
Step 6:
Spray the roundel with short, sharp bursts about 12" from the surface - the primer dries VERY quickly and youshould be able to apply 3/4 coats in 15 - 20 mins
Step 7:
Once the last application of primer is completely dry apply a VERY light first coat of paint using the same technique as the primer
Step 8:
Once the first application of paint is dry apply another very thin coat
Step 9:
Repeat step 8 until you have the desired finish
Step 10:
Allow to dry COMPLETELY for at least 12 hours before refitting
Step 11:
Re-fit roundels
Step 12:
Admire your new roundels
Step 13:
Roll another large one - this step is optional
Hints and tips:
Keying the item is the most important process - do this badly and you will get a bad job
When applying the primer and paint always use thin layers - too much and especially the paint will pool and run and spoil your job
Using your old sheets of sandpaper roll them up into 3" wide cylinders using some tape and use them to support your item to be sprayed - lifting up the item will stop paint pooling around the edges on the surface you are spraying on - you will also be able to spray more evenly
Always warm your paint and primer - room temperature is fine - but cold paint wont apply as evenly because the cold affects the spray of the solvent which "carries" the paint or primer - warm your cans on a radiator to get them up to temp
Always spray in a well ventilated area - even a small can of paint has enough solvent in to seriously wig you out
Be patient between layers of paint - the more thin layers that dry COMPLETELY the better - so spray - let dry - then spray again - the thin layers take minutes to dry - if you rush you will be re-sanding and starting again!
If you do a good job you wont be able to tell the difference between factory and DIY
My next project is to black out my chrome door handles - i'm doing this on the car as it will take much less time than having to remove them!
Then I'm going to buy some scrap roundels and experiment with some custom designs - i'll let you know how it goes
J...
