DIY Network

Eclipse Slick-Finish: Prep Panels and Build Paint Booth From "Tricked Out" episode DTRK-302

In this project Andrew Totolos, host of DIY's Tricked Out, dresses up the interior on a 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS. The panels have been removed from the car, so now it's time to prepare them to be sanded. In this segment, Andrew also builds a booth in which to paint the panels.

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Tools and materials:

cleaning supplies
protective gloves
sandpaper
power sander
tape
plastic sheeting
pop-up tent
box fan
air filter

The panels are sanded to prep for the slick paint finish.

For professional-looking results on this project, Andrew fashions this temporary paint booth.

Sanding the Panels

• Now it's time to clean the panels well before sanding. First, spray degreaser on the panels and scrub thoroughly (figure A).

• Keep cleaning and wiping with clean cloths until there is no hint of dirt, and then clean again with rubbing alcohol to get rid of any cleaning residue.

• Next, wearing gloves to protect your hands, spray on a professional plastic prep and cleaner (figure B). Spray it on then wipe it off while it is still wet.

• Repeat with the remaining panels.

  Figure A

  Figure B

  
  

• To get a professional-looking custom slick finish, all of the texture must first be sanded off the plastic panels, then they can be painted. It's a good idea to practice on the most obscure piece in the car first. In this case, it's the piece that runs beside the seat and up the driver's side.

• Start with a 60-grit sandpaper, and rough up the surfaces to be coated (figure C). Use a sanding block on larger surfaces and fold over the paper to sand curves and contours by hand.

• At this point, you might want to put a power sander to use (figure D). Complete one pass with 60-grit paper and do the same with the other pieces.

  Figure C

  Figure D

  
  

  	Figure E
  	Figure F

• Clean the panels with a tack cloth, then move up to a 120-grit paper go over it all again.

• After you've done all you can with the 120-grit, work the panel down even smoother with 150-grit paper. Just keep at it and make sure that the really tough spots are sanded by hand. It will get smoother and smoother the finer you go.

• Move up to 180-grit paper, and then to 220, and finally to 320. Be sure to use a tack cloth in between levels to keep each piece of sandpaper clean.

• The final step should be done by hand. Use a 400-grit paper and gently go over everything one last time (figure E).

• After all the texture is sanded off of the panel, use a tack cloth one more time to remove any loose dust from the panel (figure F).

• All of the panels get done in the same way except for the door. These portions of the door panels are going to stay black, so they need to be protected during the sanding process. Use tape to mask off any portion that needs to be protected.

• Get the door panels taped off and use care when sanding around those areas, especially if you're using a power sander.

• All of the remaining panels and small pieces need to be sanded smooth before any painting begins.

• With all the pieces sanded, it's time to build a painting booth.

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