[TomatoSoup]

I bought this "seen better days" boomerang off a forum member as a spare for mods. It was scratched up in a number of places, plus had a paint-patch attempt in one ugly area, so I had already decided that I intended to repaint it (probably black).

Now, it's been discovered by others on the fora, that the boomerang factory finish doesn't work well with other paints (they wrinkle/lift/crackle). So as the weather was a bit warmer here today, and a precursor to new paint, I stripped the factory finish with an application of EasyOff oven cleaner. Sprayed it well (outside) and left it for a little over an hour, then cleaned off the softened paint with a toothbrush, rag and water (and rubber gloves!).

I had assumed the texture of the boomerang finish was simply the factory paint, but turns out that's only partially true. The plastic underneath the paint finish is smooth on the face, but textured on the top/side.

So without further ado... some photos so you can see for yourselves.

This is the whole thing, stripped, scrubbed, washed and dried (full size pic here: http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad339/TomatoSoup_GXP/Boomerang/Boomerang_zps56b0fc59.jpg~original ):

Then a closeup of the face, showing the smooth plastic:

Finally, a closeup of the texture in the top plastic :

Hope that provided a little entertainment going into the new year

-TS

 

[Sly Bob]

You DID Mark, thanks.

Looking forward to the final result...

 

[EarthNTX]

I found you entertaining.

 

[rob the elder]

Nice job TS. Now some flames.....

 

[The Shadow]

I will be very interested in the final painted boomerang. I want to paint mine black but have been somewhat reluctant in case I screwed up. My plan was to remove it and take it to the local body shop for painting, but even that is no guarantee. So when you get it finished I would really appreciate some pics and tips.

Thanks, Don

 

[TomatoSoup]

Sure, but the weather is too cold for paint now (don't have a heated garage) so it will be waiting for spring - or a MUCH warmer winter day

 

[The_Ghost]

The easy off is a trick many model builders use to take the paint off of their model cars and airplanes so they can change the color. I personally use Purple Power degreaser (from advance auto parts). I put my model in it and 2 hours later, the paint is gone. I don't know if it would work with the boomerang though!! LOL... It would take a lot of degreaser....LOL.

 

[TomatoSoup]

Yup. As mentioned many times here, works great to strip chrome-plated plastic too - such as the headlight surrounds

 

[TX08manualGXP]

so what color was it when you started? I have yet to the need for the easy off trick but am hoping for the need to try it this year. Paint stripper softens plastic and then you get gouges from the putty knife.

 

[TomatoSoup]

Not sure if I understand the question... it was the standard factory color - metallic grey.

Here is the seller's picture (for as long as it lasts on eBay):

 

[TomatoSoup]

Revisiting this thread... I finally got the Boomerang painted (and modified for my touch-sensitive seat heater switches/controller), so some photo updates...

First, it always bugged me that the 12V socket lid rubs on the Boomerang when you open it. I didn't want to risk scratching my new paint job when it was done, so i got out my trusty Dremel and made some "adjustments" - fortunately the plastic at that point is plenty thick enough to take some carving. These are mid-carve (I smoothed it some more after this) but you can see I just 'indented' it such that the lid would miss touching the plastic when it's opened:

... and finally the newly painted dash and radio (and seat heater buttons) installed. I LOVE this look, especially the two-tone front & top (matt black). Always hated the cheap look of the original and this looks like how the factory should've done it. The face was painted with 3 basecoats and 3-4 clearcoats, using rattle-can matching paint from Automotivetouchup .com...

(Full size: http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/...ang/PaintedBoomerang_zps045ad7fc.jpg~original )

 

[rob the elder]

Very nice!

I love a painted dash. The TS colour looks great.

 

[TX08manualGXP]

Ouch, you should have warned before scrolling down. perhaps you took Robs advise about flames and turned it into one big one.

That turned out damn good Mark. the radio face plate must have been fun.

 

[wspohn]

Interesting. Your socket cap says 12V while mine is smooth on the 2009.....

 

[TomatoSoup]

Thanks for the kudos, guys

Interesting. Your socket cap says 12V while mine is smooth on the 2009.....

Hmm, that is actually a new eBay replacement cap (only cost ~$4), but it was the same as the original - with the relief letter molding. (GM part 15092039 - if anyone's interested.)

 

[Cmccomb1]

Wondering what if there will be a lot of glare off that shiny dash on a sunny day?

 

[wspohn]

Thanks for the kudos, guys




Hmm, that is actually a new eBay replacement cap (only cost ~$4), but it was the same as the original - with the relief letter molding. (GM part 15092039 - if anyone's interested.)

So another bit of Solstice minutiae? 2009 cars had plain caps?

Any other 2009 owners - what caps you got? Is it another coupe thing, perhaps?

 

[Xa9128]

That looks sick!

 

[TX08manualGXP]

Yeah XA, on the way home I was thinking how mine would look if I painted it silver to match.

I'm sure he'll get a little glare but like they say... no pain, no gain

 

[TomatoSoup]

I don't think it will be an issue. Been very bright and sunny last couple of days while I've been driving around. Although it's been a 'low winter sun', I've had no glare at all. Might be different for a high sun in summer, but I would think that that angle would be better for glare, not worse.