VidPro

So I really want to have the rocker moldings painted on my 2014 sterling grey convertible. I know I want them black but I can't decide if they should be matte or gloss? Any opinions and will matte be a problem with wax and other problems that a gloss finish will not have over time?


Thanks!

houtex

SEM HR010 Hot Rod Black. It is a Satin Black. I'm not sure you'd even call it matte, but definitely not semi-gloss, flat, or gloss.

To me, it is the only way to paint black rockers.

Only. Way.

*ONLY.*

But that is, of course, but my meek and humble opinion.

Joeywhat

I've been thinking about plastidipping mine...they always get super dirty and have a ton of scratches and chips. Might as well dip it for protection, and just respray as needed.

That would leave it a nice matte finish as well.

laserred38

I had thought about dipping mine black with glossifier, and doing the rear bumper line to match. I like the 10-12 style better, as the car just looks visually lighter...

VidPro

I thought about dipping but I want a permanent paint job.

VidPro

Thanks for the info. I'm going to pull them off and get them to the resto place I go to here in MA. I should have the vents done at the same time.

laserred38

Same here, just giving you an idea to try it though. When I was in the market for a 2011, I wanted to paint all the lower trim gloss black, just to be different.

Joeywhat

The only reason I wouldn't paint is because it will get a ton of chips anyways.

VidPro

True but then why do we paint anything on our cars that might get chipped? Because we're nut car fanatics!

Joeywhat

Yeah, but the rockers tend to get the brunt of it. My car only had 9k miles and they look awful.

WordySanchez

Might try painting them and then hitting them with PlastiDip clear glossifier. Give you a nice protective coating without sacrificing TOO much aesthetic. Plus you can always patch/reapply as necessary.

houtex

Just to inform...

The SEM HR010 Hot Rod Black paint that I had my front GT bumper lip, rocker panels, and rear GT500 bumper lower bit painted with has not had ONE chipped place happen to them, that I can tell. I'll look at it closely tomorrow and report if I'm a lying liar. Maybe, MAYBE, I have 1 or 2, but you wouldn't notice... I've never. Hood's got my attention though...

It is really durable on that stuff, looks like, so I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

Besides, the '05-09s came painted on GTs... :shrug:

laserred38

I'm a fan of the Hot Rod Black too. I never liked the 05-09 painted either lol. I preferred the V6/GT500 black ones :P

Joeywhat

Does that stuff need a primer coat first? How much prep does it like?

How easy are the rockers to remove? Seems like they should come right off...

VidPro

I'm pretty sure they come off very easily. Looks like a bunch of plastic push type screws/pins.

houtex

They are held in place by a few clips and buttons, not a difficult task I understand. Haven't done them myself, had the body guys do it, so...

As far as prep? The HR010 can be sprayed right over the painted rockers by just cleaning and scuffing. The new paint will stick to the old paint no problem. You'd prime it for any fixes you'd make though, if any were to be done. A 'perfect' rocker wouldn't need primer, just scuff, wax/grease, tack, paint. You might want to put a little flex additive on it, though, because plastic, but my guys didn't, I think, they just shot it straight on.

If you have the plain black plastic rockers, then you will have to prime it with adhesion promoter, then primer enough to fill in the texture and sand it back smooth, then shoot it with the HR010. Because plastic.