Use sandpaper or a die grinder to remove excess glue around the seams. If you're using a grinder, don't breathe the fumes from the hot superglue - it will burn your eyes and throat. | 
After the initial shaping, put the bezel back in the dash to check the fit. Since the Alpine unit motorizes down, it's important to check for clearance while the radio is moving. | 
Usually small trim panels like this don't require much body filler, so use Evercoat Metal Glaze to fill any minor imperfections. Mix the Metal Glaze with the supplied hardener in the ratio shown. |
Use your finger (with a latex glove) to spread the filler around the edges of the trim. Use tape to mask off the areas where filler isn't required to avoid unnecessary sanding. | 
Let the filler fully cure and sand it down with 150-grit sandpaper. | 
Now it's time to prime the dash bezel. Again, tape off the areas that don't need primer (areas that haven't been sanded) to avoid unnecessary work. |
Glasurit Polyester Spray Filler is our primer of choice, and we thin it with acetone at a 6:1 ratio of primer to acetone. This primer uses MEKP hardener (the same stuff used to cure fiberglass) and 20cc's per quart of primer is just right. | 
Spray three to four wet coats of primer on the dash bezel, waiting about five minutes between coats. This primer is very thick, so it will fill minor imperfections easily. Don't forget to clean your paint gun immediately after spraying, since this primer starts to cure very quickly. | 
When you're done you should have a smooth, glossy finish on the bezel. Let the primer cure for at least three hours at 70 degrees. |
Sand the primer with 400-grit paper. Be sure to thoroughly sand the edges that were taped to remove the line left by the thick primer. | 
Four or five light coats of SEM Flexible Coating Titanium Metallic creates a nice finish with just the right amount of texture. Wait three hours after painting to allow the paint to fully cure. All of the climate controls and vents can now be installed into the bezel, and the bezel can be snapped back in place. Now we have a clean-looking custom install that looks like it came from the factory. | |