I just refinished 1 of my interior pieces and thought I’d share what I used and how it turned out.

After reading a few threads from years ago, I tried to find duplicolor bumper coating , but didn’t have any luck. So I decided to try Rustoleum Trim and Bumper that the local Walmart had.

Before pics . It was really sticky and scratched up









I used the ashtray as my test piece. I used 400 grit sandpaper with liquid sander to remove all the scratches and gunk. Then finished with some 2000 grit to make it completely smooth







It it turned out really great



So i went ahead and pulled the first large interior piece and repeated the process. Kinda hard to get a good picture of it, but it looks brand new. I can’t wait to do the rest of the interior!

(It says I uploaded 14 pictures and made me erase some, even though I only uploaded 7?? I’ll post them below)

 

Comparison between 2 panels



Looks brand new!





Ill upload some more pictures later as I complete new panels

 

No need for liquid sandpaper. Use Easy Off oven cleaner. Just spray it on top of the 93 sticky finish. Wait 10 mins, and wipe off with a green scrubby.

 

With the bumper paint does it have that tacky sticky finish to it like some sparypaints? Or would you recommend a matte clear over the top?

I'm guessing the sticky feeling may only be felt when it gets warm out

Looks great by the way

 

Looks good ,I should do all of mine one of these days!

 

Not tacky at all once completely dry. I have a 95 with perfect oem interior also, and this feels similar to it now that it’s dry.

 

Ill have to try that next! Thanks

 

Wow that looks great you did a good job!

 

Next pieces

I’m pretty sure this is the first time I’ve had the A/c panel and/or the gauge cluster out in 12 years of owning an FD. It wasn’t too complicated but here’s to hoping for being able to get it back together tight with 26 year old, brittle plastics. I’ve already JB welded(what I had on hand ) 2 tabs I broke off during disassembly.

Befores





Used some goo gone on the factory nasty black sticky glue. And thanks for the tip on Easy Off oven cleaner. It combined with a green kitchen scrub really made life easier than the liquid sander!

 

I really can’t say enough about this rustoleum paint. It’s turning out really good







Ill probably work on the reassembly tonight. Final pics to follow

 

I had good luck using denatured alcohol to remove the old finish. Didn’t even need to scrub. Just soaked a paper towel and wiped until the finish lifted. Took about 15 mins for the center console. Maybe 40 for the gauge cluster and radio bezel.

 

Went ahead and used some meguiars PlasticX on the gauges. Got rid of a few minor scratches






Got some shipping wrap to help protect the new finish during reinstall





Looks 100% better!








a quick note to anyone who might copy this thread, the shift panel turned out smoother and slightly darker than the others. It may be where I used liquid sander there and not on the other pieces. Still looks amazing but just something to keep in mind

doors are next!

 

Wow... great job.

 

That look really good!

I’ll have to give it a try when I’m brave enough to remove the gauge hood again.

 

Very nice job!! I just used the same paint for my plastics in the back that cover our tail lights in the hatch area. Turned out excellent. I hope it lasts. I will probably paint my windshield wiper vent thing (cant think of what it's called now). The spray pattern/atomization was excellent too for what it is.

Nice work!!

 

Does it stink like fresh paint inside of the car?

 

No, i don't smell any paint at all.

 

Dang! Had the whole next phase all typed out and the phone deleted it. *sigh* ooook , here we go again ...


door plastics were next.



While I was in there , I decided to improve/repair a bunch of other things too

first off, used seam sealer to get rid of the “tin-can” effect the door had when closing it.

 

Next up, I used a fiberglass kit to significantly strengthen the door panel, including building up a multi-layer bridge right at the door pull cup, where the OEM bridge had failed

 

And finally , I placed a small bead of silicone on every surface where two plastic pieces meet. I don’t have pics of every spot , just think all mating surfaces.







You would not believe the difference all these things added up to! The door feels and sounds completely different. No tin-can sound. No give when pulling the door closed. And almost 0 plastic creaking. I’m amazed at the difference! I can’t wait to do the passenger side!

 

Nice, you can also find aluminum door cups from Atkins to fix the door flex when closing

 

Wow! Nice

 

That works great .I've been doing this in spots since I bought the car. Just a skim coat is usually enough. I've also used a larger daub in a broken tab hole of the center console piece. I use a bead bag or something with weight to hold it down and once the silicone sets it stays really well until/unless I pull it off.
I'll have to try your FRP thing on the inside of the door panel.