Hi all, I am replacing the drivers door handle and front grille ( kindly supplied  by VX1) I've got my paint, primer etc, but before I start has anyone got any tips on doing this job or are there any good links to any step by step guides?

Cheers, Jon :y

what paint you get ?

if its halffors crap dont bother

with decent paint
ie mixed at local factors and put in there cans

warming cans in warm water helps stop can spiting
proper gear and compressor better option


rub down/flat with 600 grit
wipe down so greas and dust free

dont even thing of spray if panels is colder than 10degC

spray primer prity easy to spray

if you cant spray primer give up now  ;D
spray a guide coat
rub down/flat with 600 grit
rub down flat with 800 grit

spray color much harder to spray
dont lay it on too much light even coats

clear coat very hard to spray right with out practice
do dot spray if it humid as it will milk
spray tac/light coat let flash too its still a bit tacky

lay on next coat wet all most to point of runs very hard to do with out practice

if you want a show finish flat with 1200 grit
and re-polish buff to mirror finish
if you aint painted much go to local body shop and save your self the ball ache



the above is the short guide
as there much that can go wroung


my best advice is call you local smart repair guy and hell problem do it for 50 quid or less
it will be cheaper as by time you brought paint paper get pissed off cleaner

it will be cheaper any way and he do a puck job :D

Thanks Dragon, I got the paint and lacquer from Vauxhall. I'm giving it a go myself, as they are both only small areas to paint. Would you rub down the old paint off completely or just smooth them down before priming.

Jon :y

Essex Big Al wrote on 08. May 2011 at 09:28:

BlueBridge wrote on 08. May 2011 at 02:01: Hi all, I am replacing the drivers door handle and front grille ( kindly supplied  by VX1) I've got my paint, primer etc, but before I start has anyone got any tips on doing this job or are there any good links to any step by step guides? Cheers, Jon :y Jon ,there is a section on aerosol spraying in the maintenance guide. Its under Trim, cosmetic & body in the external section. Sorry can't give you the link . No good with PC's you can get good results - more so with small items & areas -  but patience is the key. good luck :y

just rubbing down will be fine, take the original paint sheen off so the primer has something to grip to, p600 will be fine  :y

BlueBridge wrote on 08. May 2011 at 08:51:

Thanks Dragon, I got the paint and lacquer from Vauxhall. I'm giving it a go myself, as they are both only small areas to paint. Would you rub down the old paint off completely or just smooth them down before priming. Jon :y

If you're just changing the colour on good parts, particularly plastic ones, I wouldn't rub them down at all. Use a fine scotchbrite pad(grey I think) to scuff them up so that the paint sticks, and go from there.
That way, you won't need  to flat the primer much, which means probably only needing one coat of it, if it needs any at all.

Then apply the colour, as previously stated, in several very light coats, leaving at least 10mins between them so you avoid runs.

Apply the clear the same way, especially the last couple of coats, as it MAY dry to a nice finish. I don't have much luck with aerosols, so repainted the mirror housings on my mum's Focus this way, but used 2pack clear and a touchup gun.

Thanks for all the replies :y