Last plastic painting question, I hope

Inspector71 said

68' Barracuda instrument cluster: as posted already, the only thing wrong with it is the black paint is faded and flaking off and the chrome is mostly gone. Mechanically, it is fine. I have sanded it all down to the plastic. Having painted the glove box trim, I realize the chrome won't quite be as bright as factory but the colors will match. Taping to paint the 3 colors, black, silver, and chrome is challenge enough but now I'm told I need to use a primer made for plastic. So I go to O'Reillys' (not a courteous or friendly bunch anytime I've gone in there) and they no, I need to spray an epoxy (they don't have) on the plastic and then use regular primer. What is correct about any of this? Thanks for the help...

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nope none of it is correct. regular primer will peel if no adhesion promoter is applied just use adhesion promoter(follow directions) and paint. primer isn't needed and makes the paint thickness go way up and you lose detail. primer is not needed unless you are trying to hide sanding scratches.


I used several processes to paint my instrument bezels. For prep work I didn't sand anything, I used the "original yellow top Easy Off oven cleaner" it has lye in it and make your parts come out great! cleaned it with soapy water dried after that it got a light coat of adhesion promoter (most are good) I used bulldog adhesion promoter over at the upholstery shop I am working at for any plastic parts. then the paint.

before cleanup

after oven cleaner

painted using spray chrome

can't find the radion bezel pic but here is the speedo cluster and converting it over to white face guages.