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My cowling is in good condition but looks terrible. I'd like to restore it and considered painting it, but I have no idea what to use that will actually stand up to the elements.
I'd like something that is similar to the factory color. I thought about spraying a matte clear coat on after the color coat.
I thought I remember reading that the SEMs stuff matches well, but I don't know how its going to hold up in the elements.
I used 4-ish thin dustings till it was even over all of SEM Landau Black (15243) with a 3 coats of SEM satin clear. Also used SEM Black Trim Paint on the windshield wiper arms with SEM satin clear. It was 2 years ago, and still looks like I just did it. Might want to look at the screens behind the cowlings as well and make sure they are still attached well, as some of the attachments had came loose over 23 years.
I'd like something that is similar to the factory color. I thought about spraying a matte clear coat on after the color coat.
Just an FYI; the factory finish on this piece was not matte, it was more of a semi-gloss. Most of these have faded over the years so I know that some folks might not be aware of the original factory finish.
I used 4-ish thin dustings till it was even over all of SEM Landau Black (15243) with a 3 coats of SEM satin clear. Also used SEM Black Trim Paint on the windshield wiper arms with SEM satin clear. It was 2 years ago, and still looks like I just did it. Might want to look at the screens behind the cowlings as well and make sure they are still attached well, as some of the attachments had came loose over 23 years.
Thank you for the reply.
Did you use an adhesion promoter or does the SEM paint require it?
Just an FYI; the factory finish on this piece was not matte, it was more of a semi-gloss. Most of these have faded over the years so I know that some folks might not be aware of the original factory finish.
That's a good point RPM. I honestly had no idea what the factory finish was.
That's a good point RPM. I honestly had no idea what the factory finish was.
For reference, I bought two of my four LS1 F-bodies brand new, so I can personally attest to the fact that they came somewhat glossy from the factory. Here is an image of a super low mile, original cowl trim panel in factory-mint condition. As you can see, it's not super shiny like the painted exterior of the car, but it's not matte either:
Did you use an adhesion promoter or does the SEM paint require it?
Pretty sure I cleaned it thoroughly with soap and water, wiped it down with isopropyl alcohol, and used a couple light coats of adhesion promoter, but it was duplicolor adhesion promoter. Didn't think to order it from SEM when I placed my order for the other paint I used.
For reference, I bought two of my four LS1 F-bodies brand new, so I can personally attest to the fact that they came somewhat glossy from the factory. Here is an image of a super low mile, original cowl trim panel in factory-mint condition. As you can see, it's not super shiny like the painted exterior of the car, but it's not matte either:
If they were taken care of like yours and mine, they should look like that.
I used these CERAKOTE Wipes on a used cowl I purchased for my '99.
CERAKOTE® Ceramic Trim Coat Kit - Quick Plastic Trim Restorer - Ceramic Coating Black Trim Restoration to Last Over 200 Washes – A Ceramic Coating, Not a Dressing https://a.co/d/gZhTn9X
I don't a photo to show you, but I'm happy with the way it turned out.
I used these CERAKOTE Wipes on a used cowl I purchased for my '99.
CERAKOTE® Ceramic Trim Coat Kit - Quick Plastic Trim Restorer - Ceramic Coating Black Trim Restoration to Last Over 200 Washes – A Ceramic Coating, Not a Dressing https://a.co/d/gZhTn9X
I don't a photo to show you, but I'm happy with the way it turned out.
I used Undrdog Protective Coatings on the trim of my ram. It was faded. A coating will bring it back in most cases. Another one to look into would be Cquartz Dlux.
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What paint for windhshield cowling 
