I've decided to paint my radio bezel the color of my truck......I've gotten everything off the bezel, except for the 12V acc. outlet. How do you get it out? I've tried pulling it, pushing it, twisting it while pushing in and out but nothing happens......how does it come out?

And Question 2, what kind of clear coat did ya'll use over the color? I was going to use the quality clear used in body shops, but the hardner we have is old (it has a 14 day useage after you open it) and dont really want to spend 20 bucks to get a little half pint of it just to spray 2 oz. of clear. So i've got some duplicolor clearcoat, but i've never had any luck with it, it always gets dull as it drys. Im I not doing something right? The quality clears like ppg etc. wont do that.....if it does, you've got a big problem.

 

for your first question, I seem to remember there being clips that held it in place. Otherwise, if you can't get it out, you could just stuff some Kleenex in there so you don't paint over the metal surface needed for conductivity.

and for your second question, are you wet sanding in between coats of color AND coats of clear?

 

I managed to get the 12v outlet plug out, and now i've got all the rubber coating off, and i've just got to run over it with finer grit paper.

Do you have to wet sand inbetween coats of clear? I've used quality clears like PPG and they came out just as glossy as when the clear was still wet. I sprayed a little panel to see how it would come out with the duplicolor clear, and it dried dull, so I thought I would try some machine glaze buffing compound, and it brought the shine back out. I might try wet sanding after 2 or 3 coats then put another coat on or something.

 

I got it painted now, used duplicolor clear, and waited the 10 minutes between coats and put 3 coats on, and 45 minutes after the last coat of clear was put on, its still real glossy, so I must of got it right this time.

 

pics!!

 

I'll get them tommorrow after I get it back in the truck after it dries.