The black trim pieces on my DX coupe...

[SilverY2KCivic]

I'm sitting here wondering how do I remove the rear license plate holder frame that's black from my trunk lid, so I can paint it to matck my painted side skirts and grill? Is it just a simple matter of removing the plate a few bolts/screws? Also are the mirrors easy to remove, and how would I remove them to paint them as well? Thanks

[Swonder67]

I got a DX too, but I got it in black, so all that ish matches. I think the rear liscence holder, i think it's just those three plastic screws next to the liscence plate light, but there might be mre on the inside of the trunk. As for the mirrors, you have to take the plate on the indside off first. (you know, where you adjust the mirror) and there should be bolts.

[silvercivic4]

i was also wondering about that...i have a silver 97 dx and i woudl love to paint my windlip, side skirts and all that other black stuff silver...did you plan on painting it yourself? if so what kind of paint are u using? i wanted to paint them myself but i was worried about matching the color.i already have a gray bumper primer that is flexible so it wont crack, but im not sure about what silver paint to use...any help would be appreciated...thanks

[SilverY2KCivic]

Originally posted by silvercivic4
i was also wondering about that...i have a silver 97 dx and i woudl love to paint my windlip, side skirts and all that other black stuff silver...did you plan on painting it yourself? if so what kind of paint are u using? i wanted to paint them myself but i was worried about matching the color.i already have a gray bumper primer that is flexible so it wont crack, but im not sure about what silver paint to use...any help would be appreciated...thanks

If your silver is Vogue Silver Metallic, then Krylon #1401 "Bright Silver" will match perfectly for all your trim pieces. That's what I used to paint my side skirts and grill with. People almost mistaken my skirts for the OEM colored ones sometimes. Here's a pic of them...


I think that's the addy for it...

[SilverY2KCivic]

Originally posted by silvercivic4
i was also wondering about that...i have a silver 97 dx and i woudl love to paint my windlip, side skirts and all that other black stuff silver...did you plan on painting it yourself? if so what kind of paint are u using? i wanted to paint them myself but i was worried about matching the color.i already have a gray bumper primer that is flexible so it wont crack, but im not sure about what silver paint to use...any help would be appreciated...thanks

If your silver is Vogue Silver Metallic, then Krylon #1401 "Bright Silver" will match perfectly for all your trim pieces. That's what I used to paint my side skirts and grill with. People almost mistaken my skirts for the OEM colored ones sometimes. Here's a pic of them...

[silvercivic4]

looks sweet silverY2Kcivic..hopefully mine come out as nice, is the paint nice and glossy?did you put anything over the paint to protect it? how about the trim on the doors? do those pop off for painting? that would be sweet, but i dont wanna pop them off and find out they dont go back on....thanks for all your help, i appreciate it man...peace

[Rice-Rocketeer]

Of all my black trim is somehow held on to the chasis thru clips, screws or bolts depending on the size and location. I'd open the trunk, remove whatever plastic panels might be behind the license plate area and look for clips or screws.

[mAtC]

Originally posted by SilverY2KCivic
If your silver is Vogue Silver Metallic, then Krylon #1401 "Bright Silver" will match perfectly for all your trim pieces. That's what I used to paint my side skirts and grill with. People almost mistaken my skirts for the OEM colored ones sometimes. Here's a pic of them...

So what was your step-by-step? Sanded, primed, 4 thin layers, then clear coat? Or did you just prime, layer, and that's it.

[SilverY2KCivic]

Originally posted by mAtC


So what was your step-by-step? Sanded, primed, 4 thin layers, then clear coat? Or did you just prime, layer, and that's it.

You know, what, I kinda "forgot"/igonred the priming process. Stupid me thought primer was the paint itself (duh, what was I thinking) so nope, no primer coat! :o

First I took them off of course. Sanded each of them down with 220 grit wet/dry sand paper, I wet sanded them for best results. Sand them untill they are a dul lightish gray color. Then dry them off, and make sure they are dust/dirt free of any sanding dust. Then spray on a semi-thick coat of paint. Let it dry for about 30 minutes, then go back and spray on another coat. When this coat dries, feel it for any roughness. If you feel any, you can buff it out by lightly sanding it (probably on the whole skirt, this happened with me) with 600 or higher grit sand paper. Then go and put on a few (like 3 or 4 more) coats of paint. Again check for roughness, if any, buff it again, and then put on one last coat to bulid back up the layer you buffed. Then let it dry, and you are now ready for your clear coat. Spray on a couple thin layers first, then one thick arse layer. I clear coated mine, but didn't do it thick enough, so it's not as high gloss as it could be. Eventhough my process I used to paint my skirts seems half assed, and/or cheap, it's not, my skirts have held up through bad weather, gravel on the freeways here, and mud being thrown on them from my tires, and NO chips what-so-ever on them, in fact the only chip I ever got in the apint un them, was from one day I accidentally heeled the driver's side skirt with my boots I was wearing that day. :o But otherwise, general rule of thumb, the more coats of paint and clear coat you apply, the stronger and tougher your skirts will hold up. Any more ?'s, just ask away! :coolguy: