Paint for 32 Sunvisors?
 

Vince's site talks about special paint that results in a pebble finish. Where do you get it and how do you prep the visors for paint? Light sanding?

Re: Paint for 32 Sunvisors?
 

Actually, the visors have a bit more detail than just an overall pebble finish. There's a flat "bead" around the outer edge that I would guess is about 3/32" to 1/8" wide, and it's repeated about 3/4" inboard from the outer edge as I recall. I'm a long way from my '32 right now, and I'm going on memory regarding the exact contour of the surface of the visors. When I restored my '32 a long time ago, someone was reproducing the visors and I bought a set. I'm guessing that someone else on Fordbarn knows if they're still available and who sources them. I have a vague recollection of seeing an ad in the V8-Times for them not too long ago. The ones I bought almost 30 years ago were really nice and nearly identical to my originals that had lost about half of their pebbled finish.

But if you simply want to use what you have and give them a little texture, then maybe you could use "Hammer finish" spray paint or wrinkle finish paint. A place like Home Depot or Lowes will have options to try. Seems that the surface might be a bit porous and it might be a challenge to get the look you want.

Roy Nacewicz has the tan/sable color for the metal hinge pieces, and the color of the visors themselves is pretty close to that. Good luck.

Re: Paint for 32 Sunvisors?
 

Jim,

You might find this recent post on sun visors interesting https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...ghlight=joanne. You have the "early" ones that mount in the center.

Charlie Stephens

Re: Paint for 32 Sunvisors?
 

Charlie, I posted on that thread and read it and the book. The photos are my original visors. One side of each is decent, the other is bad. I am after instructions on restoring the ones I have.

Re: Paint for 32 Sunvisors?
 

No one has redone their own?

Re: Paint for 32 Sunvisors?
 

Btt

Re: Paint for 32 Sunvisors?
 

Pebble grain and embossing are difficult if not impossible to restore. If the grain and embossing has a perfect surface and detail than refinishing may be possible. Otherwise replacement is about the only option as far as I know.
I've never heard of a pebble grain finish. Hammered finish, wrinkle finish yes, pebble no.

Re: Paint for 32 Sunvisors?
 

The pebble grain finish may have been produced by some type of stamping machinery, The boards may have been coated with a pyroxylin paint first then stamped while the product was still soft but near to the hardened state. This is only a guess but it might be the only way to produce an embossed surface like that. The stamping plate may have been wetted to keep it from sticking.

FoMoCo produced or outsourced a number of cardboard and masonite type interior trim products with leather type grains on them.

Re: Paint for 32 Sunvisors?
 

Worst case I will try to match the paint with a flat finish. The visors are in too nice a shape to replace. Just looks like the sat with the visors down for years.

Re: Paint for 32 Sunvisors?
 

I did a little more research and found that Masonite was patented by William H. Mason in the early 20s. He was a friend of Thomas Edison and Edison was a friend of Henry Ford. The hot pressing of the fibers alowed the stuff to be embossed with just about any texture you can imagine. The embossed board may have been painted after that or it was a processed resin that was applied before the hot pressing took place. It sort of looks like the later.

Re: Paint for 32 Sunvisors?
 

Must be later because under the paint is smooth.....where is Dave? On vacation? LOL

Re: Paint for 32 Sunvisors?
 

Jim,

Sorry, but I've never had to accomplish what you're trying to do. The visors I've had all were/are in very good condition so that only re-painting was required. (The pebble grain and the embossed rectangles were all intact.)

Notwithstanding, if I had to do this job, I'd go to the local hardware with the biggest selection of rattle-can paints and seek a paint with a when-dry texture closest to what I'm seeking (do not worry if you can't find both the texture and color you want in a single can, just focus on the texture). Prime the sunvisors and lay down stripers tape to create the rectangle and edges using your good side as a pattern then spray on your texture paint. After carefully removing the stripers tape, spray the visors one side at a time with a egg shell or semi-gloss paint in a color as close as you can get to the original brown. Done with patience and perseverance, I believe that you'll be happy with the result, especially given how little it will cost relative to the replacement alternatives.

Re: Paint for 32 Sunvisors?
 

Jim,
I came across a "Pebble Finish" paint by Rust-Oleum and Natural Stone by Krylon. I saw them on Amazon, but I bet you can get it at the hardware store.

Keep 4-banging!

Re: Paint for 32 Sunvisors?
 

Jim,

You might try checking with a store that sells house paint (not automotive) and see if they have a roller that will produce the finish you want.

Charlie Stephens

Re: Paint for 32 Sunvisors?
 

Dave,

Can you explain the construction. Trying to match what I have with what you have seen Is the the visor, with come sort of material bonded to it with a pebble finish (looks like a football) that is then painted? What I have at this point just looks like paint flaking off but what is left is pebble, where it is gone is flat.

As usuall I AM SOOO CONFUSED

Re: Paint for 32 Sunvisors?
 

Everything is in the finish, the texture and other details being pressed into it. As it deteriorates it flakes off like paint which is no surprise given that it is paint like or a form of paint.