NEW DIY- Painting black SR5 mirrors to match! WRITE UP WITH PICS!

[SteveAndStaci]

Anyone ever have this issue? We have the Urban Runner package, so we already had black painted mirrors. Over time, the paint faded, so I wanted to re-paint. I scuffed up the surface with 400-grit and cleaned well. After the second coat, the new paint seemed to interact with the old paint to create this spider web pattern. Using a toothpick, the spider web pattern lifts up off the mirror (both new and old paint), leaving just the bright white plastic mirror.

How do I fix this?!?!?

 

[SteveAndStaci]

Anyone ever have this issue? We have the Urban Runner package, so we already had black painted mirrors. Over time, the paint faded, so I wanted to re-paint. I scuffed up the surface with 400-grit and cleaned well. After the second coat, the new paint seemed to interact with the old paint to create this spider web pattern. Using a toothpick, the spider web pattern lifts up off the mirror (both new and old paint), leaving just the bright white plastic mirror.

How do I fix this?!?!?

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View attachment 174825

Ok I'm answering my own question in case anyone else runs into this issue. There are three primary drivers for this to happen. (1) Too much humidity, which also causes the paint to fog or haze up on you, (2) Not letting the previous coat dry or breathe long enough, or (3) It's too cold.

After several tries to re-paint with no success, I decided I had to be more patient. I waited until a warmer day, closed my garage doors (I know, I know... fumes will make you dumb), ran a dehumidifier in my garage for about 12 hours, then started painting. I waited 20 minutes between coats instead of 10.

Also note that if this paint wrinkling happens to you... you have to sand the entire mirror down to the bare white plastic. Don't skimp on time and try to smooth out the wrinkled section with sand paper. It just won't work. It may make you nervous, but take your time... I ground mine down with 80 grit, followed by 220 grit, followed by 400 grit. It helps to have an electric palm sander. It's almost a necessity.

 

[4gin007]

Ok I'm answering my own question in case anyone else runs into this issue. There are three primary drivers for this to happen. (1) Too much humidity, which also causes the paint to fog or haze up on you, (2) Not letting the previous coat dry or breathe long enough, or (3) It's too cold.

After several tries to re-paint with no success, I decided I had to be more patient. I waited until a warmer day, closed my garage doors (I know, I know... fumes will make you dumb), ran a dehumidifier in my garage for about 12 hours, then started painting. I waited 20 minutes between coats instead of 10.

Also note that if this paint wrinkling happens to you... you have to sand the entire mirror down to the bare white plastic. Don't skimp on time and try to smooth out the wrinkled section with sand paper. It just won't work. It may make you nervous, but take your time... I ground mine down with 80 grit, followed by 220 grit, followed by 400 grit. It helps to have an electric palm sander. It's almost a necessity.

Solvents in the paint caused this issue, nothing else. And you should finish the painted piece with 800grit or even 1000grit before applying spray paint. 400 is to coarse and will reveal sand scratches once the piece is completed.