What is the correct finish for the following on a 70-

dash pad
head rests
bucket seat plastic trim and backs
interior plastic panels
dash
glove box
center console

I have used the SEM Landau black on the dash pad, head rests, and bucket seat plastic parts, but it now appears to me to be too flat? do I need to top coat it with clear or perhaps a semi-gloss, or even a gloss?

I have done searches for this info and can't find it, thanks

36 views and NO responses? Is the question really THAT dumb? I've been told by one guy I know that all the interior pieces should be semi-gloss and not the flat landau black that I've already used. Is it true?

I really DID search for info on this here in the forums and can't find it. Maybe I'm just stupid and don't fully understand how to use the search feature? I don't think so, but who knows.

HELP please!! thanks

I just dont know the answer!

I'll take a stab at this for you.
1. Dash pad- I replaced mine from it being heat warpped.
2. Head rests- I had mine recovered when I re-did the whole interior.
3.Plastic trim on buckets- I bought new replacements, however
I believe Krylon Semi- Flat Black 1613 [I think] would
look right.
4. Dash- I sprayed mine with the same Krylon 1613 and
it looked to be the right finish.
5. Glove box- Same as above.
6. Console- Same as above.

I bought a new console as well as seat plastics and the Krylon on the dash seemed to match both new pieces so it worked for me..

CIT, I know allot of people recommend and use the SEM Landau, but I'm with you, it's too flat for my likings. I think the next sheen was satin and that is what I used. That would apply to all of the plastic/vinyl parts. Good Luck

CIT, I know allot of people recommend and use the SEM Landau, but I'm with you, it's too flat for my likings. I think the next sheen was satin and that is what I used. That would apply to all of the plastic/vinyl parts. Good Luck
I agree.

My dash was painted with GM satin black. Dull as a pancake. We sprayed clear over it and I like it. Make it the color you like....unless you have an original rare numbers matching car, then I would do it back original IMO.
Best of luck,

Herbie

CIT, I know allot of people recommend and use the SEM Landau, but I'm with you, it's too flat for my likings. I think the next sheen was satin and that is what I used. That would apply to all of the plastic/vinyl parts. Good Luck

finally! I agree Jeff, the landau black is flatter in appearance than the seat covers I'm going to use, so that's why I asked. SEM makes a black semi-gloss or satin as you suggested? I looked at Eastwood where I bought my paint and the only SEM paint I can find in semi gloss is the underhood paint for metal use. I really like the quality of the SEM paint so far (used it with plastic prep and sand free, came out great! just too flat looking)

OK, does anybody know if SEM makes the same flexible coating for plastic/vinyl use (like the landau black stuff) in SEMI-GLOSS? Or, do I have to go with another paint to get away from the flat black look that doesn't match the seat covers?

thanks!!!

CIT, it doesn't look like it. Maybe use the satin gloss clear?

http://www.sem.ws/product.php?product_id=190

I'm curious how you think that landau black looks/would look on the face of the dash. I want to paint that but I'm not sure what color to use. I was thinking the satin black would look best. I have a 70 Malibu with a smooth dash face. It looks like it should have a low shine to it.

yeah, now I see that SEM DOES make a satin black #15243 and a gloss black #15233 in that same series of color coat aerosols.

"COLOR COAT is formulated to match, restore or change color on most vinyl surfaces, flexible and rigid plastics, carpet and velour. COLOR COAT is fade resistant, flexible and is a permanent coating."

funny...the ONLY one listed at Eastwood is the landau black 15013. No wonder they haven't returned my emails or replied to my post on their forums.

Has anyone used the 15243 or 15233 here? If so, where did you order it from? online? My nearest SEM supplier is 30-40 minutes away unfortunately. I asked Eastwood via phone and they said they don't carry the satin or gloss.

Hey- they ALSO make a leather/vinyl paint series called classic coat, but alas NO satin or gloss black.

"CLASSIC COAT uses advanced technology to provide superior adhesion and flexibility when changing or restoring the color of most leather and vinyl. CLASSIC COAT is a fade resistant coating that won’t chip or peel and is available in many of today’s popular OEM colors."

they list a few GM colors here - http://www.sem.ws/product.php?product_id=242 (click on the color chart) but that black also APPEARS to be a flat black.

E

OK, I finally found a guy about 20-30 minutes from me in Jamestown, NY who will order it at $10.65 a can (not bad)

I'll be getting some of the 15243 Satin Black in about a week.

I'll try and post pictures of the Landau AND then the Satin after it's repainted for people to see here. Hopefully the satin will look better.

Anybody think I should strip the already painted pieces? I probably have 3-4 light coats of Landau on them already. You would think that just painting over them should be OK, right?

thanks all!

Wow! the technical sales rep from SEM just called my office!

get this - according to him the Landau IS the middle grade of black!

satin - least shine, or flatest
landau - medium, or semi-gloss
gloss - high gloss

when I asked him why then the landau didn't look shiny AT ALL he asked where and how I prepped painted. (I used all the proper SEM stuff and techniques) He then stated that I probably had a humidity problem and that's why it dried flatter than usual. it's possible I suppose.

BUT, chemically, the satin is supposed to be flat, the landau is semi, and the gloss is high!

hmmmm....I called my paint guy and asked to have just 1 can of the satin. back to the garage! Like I said...I'll post pictures for sure.

OK-update...
the Landau Black IS indeed the semi-gloss. This time I took all the pieces into a controlled atmosphere (I went into the basement, which is sealed room that has a de-humidifier and added a space heater to bring up the temp to around 75 degrees) I re-painted the pieces that came out flat and BINGO! semi-gloss sheen :) I guess the temperature and humidity REALLY effects the SEM stuff becasue it was around 70 and I didn't think too humid in the garage the day I did these before. OK pics-(some with flash and some without in the kitchen)

in the garage at 65-70 with some humidity-
http://webpages.charter.net/citro/landau%20humid01.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/citro/landau%20humid02.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/citro/landau%20humid03.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/citro/landau%20humid04.jpg

re-painted pieces at 75 degrees and NO humidity-
http://webpages.charter.net/citro/landau%20dry01.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/citro/landau%20dry02.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/citro/landau%20dry03.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/citro/landau%20dry04.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/citro/landau%20dry05.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/citro/landau%20dry06.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/citro/landau%20dry09.jpg

MUCH better this time.....no? :)

mucho props to the SEM technical rep who called and emailed me on this. Good stuff, great product support.

After looking at your pics I see you made a good choice and did a good job. That rep needs to be thanked. He just made a believer out of me.

If you go to a good auto color store they will have dye mixes for different interior colors. Also in the mixes certain parts get different amounts of flatter for the correct look. If I remember correctly there are three different sheens. Hope this helps a little.


Nelson

SEM Trim Black...Nice satin finish