Get the interior paint codes from the RPO label and buy vinyl/interior trim paint from any auto paint store. It will match as close as you can get (if not dead on). If you are spot painting (rather than painting the whole part), you *might* see a difference due to fading. I suggest you paint the whole part. Get a can of clear for the final top coat and to protect it.
1. Wash the part with soap and washer thoroughly. Now wash it again.
2. Rinse the part thoroughly. Now rinse it again.
3. Clean the part with a prep/washer like Prep-Sol (that's what I use). Just ask the store what prep goes with the paint you bought. This is important because it scuffs/etches the plastic slightly so the color coat sticks.
4. Spray the part with 2-3 light coats. Check the coverage. You want to cover the part with paint without using so much you fill in the texture.
5. Apply two light coats of clear.
6. It will look and match the factory. Enjoy.
One note, you can't fix goughes where the texture is gone. Most minor scratches will disappear. If you have really bad trim parts, find some better parts of any color.
One pint of paint will cover about 2-3 three cars worth of parts but I've never been able to buy less than a pint. About $20 a pint.
I don't even worry about the color of replacement parts anymore. I just paint them the correct color. If you have two colors, figure $50 for the paint, clear and prep.
I think Beachwood is two colors (tan and brown). The stores have books you can look them up in right down to GM/Pontiac/Fiero/Model Year if you can't find the codes on the RPO label.
Once you've done it, you'll be restoring every car you have.
Terry
[This message has been edited by TK (edited 06-05-2003).]
