Interiors

[Guest roadkill2525]

What is the best why to paint interiors, I've tried brush, airbrushing, and even spray paint with verying results. Another thing is trying to pick the right color to match the body, my Camaro is painted Rally Green and a white Motion stripe but I can't decide on a interior color.

[Harry P.]

Brush, spray can or airbrush are all perfectly good ways to paint an interior. The trick is to use the right color and the right gloss level to replicate the real thing in scale.

For instance...cloth seats would be recreated with a flat finish. Leather or vinyl seats usually have some shine to them, so a semi-gloss finish would be more realistic.

If you're doing a replica stock, do a google search for reference photos of the real thing, and you'll get a good idea of appropriate colors to use on your interiors. If your model is a custom or street rod, anything goes...just as it would in real life. The choice in that case is totally up to you!

[ramonesblues]

Another source for interior color reference sources is your local auto paint stores. They all have color chip books with interior color chips. They may even mix small amounts for you as they can mix1/10 if a pint.

[ismaelg]

Here is what I do:

My first step is to find the right color, regardless of gloss or flat levels. I airbrush everything. If it is gloss, then I airbrush a very light coat of dullcoat over it. If it is dead flat and I want some gloss to it, I rub it in my hands for some sheen. But it depends on what you want to achieve and what you have available.

Another thing: If you are going to use enamels, you don't usually need a primer. If you are going to use lacquer (like doing interior colors like the exterior) you definitely need a primer barrier. If you are going to use acrylics, a uniform base will help with coverage.

Thanks,

[bobss396]

If the interior color is close to the body color, you can often get a different effect by using a different color primer. Make up some test pieces and have fun with it.

I also find that paints like Duplicolor dry fairly flat or have a minimum of a sheen to it, which looks good for vinly or leather upholstery.

[bob paeth]

I have in the past, when painting the interior, taken some of the paint used on the body. Just add some talcom powder to the paint and it will become totally flat. I have always used a paint brush for the interiors because brush marks do not show and it is easier to create a two tone pattern if you desire. As mentioned before, after the paint is dry try rubbing the surface with your fingers. The oil on them will turn a "flat" into a semi gloss, similar to naugahyde.

bob