Finished up my explorer bezel tonight, shaved the rear defrost swapped in a power point, and modded the second foq switch to light up amber when it is on instead of green.

Stripping that stupid rubberized crap of the thing was a pain and I don't know what I would have done with out high fill sandable primer. painted it a bright silver for now until I find a grey I like that matches the factory color.

I will get installed pics tomorrow but for now heres a cell phone pic.



Installed pictures - pardon the mess in the interior.









off topic but EBC rotors and hawk pads are in.

 

Nice work, looks good but getting everything to match in color is a job in itself.
What paint did you use ?
Why I ask is repeatability in painting other parts.

Again nice work, ltr.

 

Nice upgrade!

 

looks good x2 on what paint you used cause the rubber is starting to peal on mine... also how did you remove the rubber stuff

 

I tried sanding, buffing, blasting and pealing the rubber off and nothing worked well, what finally worked was an 80 grit sanding wheel on my dremal at low speed. Then for paint I used duplicolor paints starting with high fill sandable primer in a can, followed by metal cast ground coat in a can, followed by paint shop clear sprayed with an air brush. I also wet sanded between every coat of paint to keep a nice level surface.

 

Looks good man!

 

Wow ! work plus !

Are you going to be able to duplicate the color for other trim parts or isn’t a that a problem ?

ltr

 

Looks good. The best way I found to remove the rubber coating was soak it in brake fluid. May I ask what you are doing with your old bezel?

 

Explorer bezel looks great. What are you going to use to plug the power port when not in use? How did you change the color of the light in the fog lamp switch?

 

I tried brushing on brake fluid to no avail but soaking wasn't an option because it would have eaten the glazing putty. hanging on to the old bezel for a day or to until I make sure this holds up ok, but soon I will have a good condition grey FX4 Bezel for sale.

look at the other power point I have another of those that fits in and I have the factory cover but I mostly leave it open. I pulled the fog switch apart and glued a piece of red plastic I cut out of a fuse in front of the green LED and it produces a amber/green color, its only temp though eventually I will just replace the LED with an amber one.

hasn't been an issue so far in duplicating the color I did my window vents today and I looks exactly the same.

 

2 fog switches??

 

ya the second is for auxiliary lights.

 

gotcha!

 

SEMS Paint has a match for the Ford Interior.

if you have it, take a piece in the store to match up.

SEMs is usually available at Auto Body Supply type of stores.

 

I use lacquer thinner for removing the rubber stuff.

 

How did it work out ?

 

good.

I took a scrubby pad, like scotchbrite. Also a pair of chemical rubber gloves. I soaked them a bit with the thinner, and then rubbed it with my thumb for about 5 or 10 minutes. It came off pretty good.

 

Thanks for that info… I need to do mine but repaint to the flat black OEM Color.