68-72 center console restoration
#1
68-72 center console restoration
Hello, I'm in the middle of tearing apart my center console and wanted to know if anyone has had any luck restoring the metal trim plate. This is the part that the ash tray/slider and 4spd pattern, etc fastens too. I'm looking to save the $230 it costs to replace it, but am wondering if I'm wasting my time. There seems to be a lot of details in the lettering that might not turn out so well with a repaint. Any thoughts are welcome. Thanks.
#2
Le Mans Master
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use a heat gun to warm the shift pattern and info plate and remove, then use lacquer thinner to remove all the paint. if there's any small blemishes in the metal, use a dremmel to smooth them. spray primmer on the plate let it tack, then use semi flat black paint. while it's still tacky, use a wooden tool(scrap or similar) to rub the paint off the chrome. it's a pretty straight forward job, and worst comes to worst, just strip the paint and try again.
#4
Instructor
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Hello, I'm in the middle of tearing apart my center console and wanted to know if anyone has had any luck restoring the metal trim plate. This is the part that the ash tray/slider and 4spd pattern, etc fastens too. I'm looking to save the $230 it costs to replace it, but am wondering if I'm wasting my time. There seems to be a lot of details in the lettering that might not turn out so well with a repaint. Any thoughts are welcome. Thanks.
As for the chrome lettering where the fiber optics are. I painted those and used a straight razor to take the paint off of those and they look great.
Good luck!
#5
Advanced
I also restored mine recently using Krylon flat black and a blade to carefully scrape the paint off of the chrome edge and lettering. I used Testor's paints and a toothpick to paint the flags emblem. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out, not perfect but looks several times better than it did after 40 years of service.
Here is a before and after pic.
Here is a before and after pic.
#6
Melting Slicks
#8
Team Owner
If you want the console plate to match the rest of the interior, the best match for the original color is semi-flat black...semi-gloss is too shiny & flat is too dull. The methods described above are very successful. Remember to not let the paint cure too hard before you trim the paint off the lettering, etc. Also, since the paint is not well cured, be careful in handling the part so you don't damage paint elsewhere. Finally, when you scrape off the paint, don't worry about clearing the 'trimmings' free of the surface. Those trimmings won't stay adhered to the curing paint and you can do more damage than good trying to pick them off of the surface. Just wait till the paint fully cures and brush them off.
#10
Le Mans Master
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Hi CC,
The Blitz Black that Rick suggests is a good choice as is Krylon #1613 if you can find it.
I've had good success using an X-acto blade #17 to slice the paint off the raised chrome trim and lettering. #17 is the shape of a very tiny wood chisel.
It takes a bit of practice but you can get very good results.
Regards,
Alan
The Blitz Black that Rick suggests is a good choice as is Krylon #1613 if you can find it.
I've had good success using an X-acto blade #17 to slice the paint off the raised chrome trim and lettering. #17 is the shape of a very tiny wood chisel.
It takes a bit of practice but you can get very good results.
Regards,
Alan
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#13
Instructor
Hi CC,
The Blitz Black that Rick suggests is a good choice as is Krylon #1613 if you can find it.
I've had good success using an X-acto blade #17 to slice the paint off the raised chrome trim and lettering. #17 is the shape of a very tiny wood chisel.
It takes a bit of practice but you can get very good results.
Regards,
Alan
The Blitz Black that Rick suggests is a good choice as is Krylon #1613 if you can find it.
I've had good success using an X-acto blade #17 to slice the paint off the raised chrome trim and lettering. #17 is the shape of a very tiny wood chisel.
It takes a bit of practice but you can get very good results.
Regards,
Alan
Old thread I know but I’m new here! Should the spray paint be sanded or smoothed between coats?
#14
Burning Brakes
Hope this helps
Tooch
Last edited by Tooch1; 01-15-2019 at 08:24 AM.
#15
Instructor
I wouldn't sand anything doing this job. If you do you might smooth out the original rough texture of the plate if it's a '69 and up. The '68 plates had a smooth surface I believe. . Plus, one or two very light coats of paint is all that is needed. Too many coats, again, will fill in the surface too much! BTW, I used John Deere Blitz Black on mine.
Hope this helps
Tooch
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#16
Le Mans Master
#17
Instructor
Did you put any protective coating over the black? Seems like it might scratch very easily, but then again maybe not
Last edited by mkalman4867; 01-16-2019 at 01:37 PM.
#18
Burning Brakes
Have fun!
Tooch
Last edited by Tooch1; 01-16-2019 at 09:27 AM.
#19
Hi CC,
The Blitz Black that Rick suggests is a good choice as is Krylon #1613 if you can find it.
I've had good success using an X-acto blade #17 to slice the paint off the raised chrome trim and lettering. #17 is the shape of a very tiny wood chisel.
It takes a bit of practice but you can get very good results.
Regards,
Alan
The Blitz Black that Rick suggests is a good choice as is Krylon #1613 if you can find it.
I've had good success using an X-acto blade #17 to slice the paint off the raised chrome trim and lettering. #17 is the shape of a very tiny wood chisel.
It takes a bit of practice but you can get very good results.
Regards,
Alan
i found krylon 1613 but now it’s called Satin