The paint on the metal trim around my hatch is starting to rust and change colors. Whats the best way to paint it black again? sand it down past the rust and re paint it? what kinda paint? do I have to primer it? any input thanked in advance? also my t top center bar is loosely that plasticy paint. can I peel that off and re pain tthat too?

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Josh
1989 Firebird
Working the 2.8 to 3.4 swap with a 5 speed.
Kills: 2000 Silverado V6, 1995 v6 mustang, 1994 rodeo v6, 2001 Ford Sport trac, 1992 honda prelude riced out

Losses: 89 GTA, 95 Z28, 90 Camaro 305 TBI with mods

 

I sanded mine down then I primed it with rust tuff (good stuff). I finished it off with a few coats of Rust Tuff black enamel.

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1989 Iroc-Z 5.7 350, Blue, T-Tops

Lightly Moded:
Edelbrock Headers, Rebuilt B&M 700R-4 Tranny, Higher Stall Torque Converter, Airfoil, 3.4 w\posi, K&N's, Ported & Polished Plenum
-- Blue LED Bakelite Dash & Climate Control
- I am just some 17 Year old spending every dollar I make on my car.

 

Did you remove it? if so, How?

 

On my old RS, I just sanded the whole strip down to the bare metal with rough sandpaper (300 or 400 I believe, I don't remember), masked it off, and gave it a couple coats of black spray enamel. Looked MUCH better, and held up perfectly. I sold it 3 months later, so I don't know if its still doing perfect, but I would think its fine. Good luck.

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New owner of:

1989 Camaro IROC-Z
5.7L TPI
Ravin' Exhaust
K&N's
My 1989 Camaro IROC-Z

Previous owner of:

1992 Camaro RS
5.0L TBI
K&N Airfilter
My 1992 Camaro RS

 

that's the best way, sand it clean; if your metal is heavily pitted you might try some sort of rust stopper.....then prime and paint. surprisingly something so little makes a huge improvement.

 

nah its not bad rust its just surface stuff that can be sanded away I just wanted to know if there was a certain way I should do it but its starting to get cold so i'll probaly do it this weekend then I'm get 5 percent tint on the back so the rust wont stand out when its black again.
thanx again

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Josh
1989 Firebird
3.4 95 Firebird Engine with a 5 speed

Kills: 2000 Silverado V6, 1995 v6 mustang, 1994 rodeo v6, 2001 Ford Sport trac, 1992 honda prelude riced out

Losses: 89 GTA, 95 Z28, 90 Camaro 305 TBI with mods

 

I have used Krylon semi-flat black on mine in the past to give the original looking finish, but someone on this board recommended SEM semi-flat (rattle can) awhile back. SEM products are top quality, and are usually only available at automotive paint stores. I didn't realize that SEM had rattle can paint, so I checked into it, and it has a much higher solids density than store bought rattle can, so should last much longer. Mask, sand, and paint. Don't try to remove the metal from the glass.

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IROCnRoll.com
'86 Camaro Sport Coupe and '88 IROC

 

The metal trim on the rear hatch is about as sturdy as spagetti. Check out a thirdgen with a broken hatch sometime. I wouldn't try removing it.

A friend of mine was bored one day so he repainted the frame on my 83. He used automotive black laquer in a spray can from the local autoparts store. It lasted till the car got totalled more than a year later.

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Drew
predatorman@hotmail.com
83 Camaro 5.0L *1995-98*
87 Iroc 5.7L
91 Formula 5.7L 14.3@98mph
91 RS Convertible 5.0L
91 Firebird 3.1L 17.00@82mph *Gtech*
92 S10 2.8L
98 Grand Am GT 3100
Parts for sale