Painting 67 GTX/belvedere/satellite heater control plate

[jsugden]

Anyone have any good advice on painting the heater control plate? For technique and sheen level? I think it's closer to a semi gloss.

For those that aren't familiar, is a chrome piece with raised lettering. The piece is painted black and the lettering and slots for the switches are left bare chrome. Picture taken from eBay for reference.

 

[AR67GTX]

I think I would first give it a “light“ coat of something like black SEM self etching primer. And then a coat of a semi gloss lacquer if you can find some. The 5 ball Krylon 1613 might work well but may be a little flatter than you are looking for. The the tedious wiping the paint off with a lacquer dampened T-shirt wrapped around a finger - or use a razor blade to scrape it off If the self etching primer is balky with lacquer thinner. The self etching primer gives a little bite into chrome, aluminum, etc. Note, I said a little.

These freshly chromed 66 Satellite interior window trim pieces were primed with self-etching primer and SEM Trim Brite and are holding up so far.

 

[gtx6970]

Use these to remove the paint on the letters.
I use them on model cars and they work very well

Triangle Craft Cotton Swabs | Hobby Lobby | 454512

 

[jsugden]

Use these to remove the paint on the letters.
I use them on model cars and they work very well

Triangle Craft Cotton Swabs | Hobby Lobby | 454512

View attachment 1522735

This was my plan to use good swabs. I was wondering if I it would work to rub the plate on heavy cotton paper placed on a flat surface and sprayed with lacquer thinner

 

[gtx6970]

This was my plan to use good swabs. I was wondering if I it would work to rub the plate on heavy cotton paper placed on a flat surface and sprayed with lacquer thinner

Use the swabs I linked to. You will not be disappointed