C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Console Restoration Question???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 7, 2012 | 02:49 PM
  #1  
13611's Avatar
13611
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Supporting Lifetime Gold
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 983
Likes: 35
From: Redding California
Default Console Restoration Question???

I am restoring a 68 Coupe and am to the point where I am cleaning all of the center console/dash stuff to restore. The black needs to be repainted on all of this stuff for that fresh look. My question is... do I have to mask off all of the chrome trim and words like "volume", ect. prior to painting or can I just spray the whole thing and then remove the paint from the chrome somehow. Maybe a Q-tip and laquer thinner? I would love to hear from the members on how to do this. Thanks in advance!

Jason
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2012 | 03:18 PM
  #2  
Easy Mike's Avatar
Easy Mike
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

I masked all that I could reasonably mask. For areas I could not mask, I sprayed the semi-flat black, then used lacquer thinner on a rag over my thumb or the end of a finger (or a Q-tip) to remove the black before it set up -- tacky but not completely dry.

Reply
Old Mar 7, 2012 | 03:18 PM
  #3  
dochorsepower's Avatar
dochorsepower
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 50
From: Laguna Niguel California
Default

For very small things like chrome lettering there's a little trick to aid paint application. After all prep work and just prior to spray painting, Rub a bar of soap over the letter faces. Then after the paint dries, just buff the dried paint off of the letter faces.
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2012 | 04:12 PM
  #4  
Jasonb86's Avatar
Jasonb86
Racer
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 383
Likes: 4
From: Charlotte NC
Default

Originally Posted by dochorsepower
For very small things like chrome lettering there's a little trick to aid paint application. After all prep work and just prior to spray painting, Rub a bar of soap over the letter faces. Then after the paint dries, just buff the dried paint off of the letter faces.
Yes, that method works well - or use a petroleum jelly like Vaseline.
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2012 | 04:27 PM
  #5  
Mooser's Avatar
Mooser
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,333
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by Easy Mike
I masked all that I could reasonably mask. For areas I could not mask, I sprayed the semi-flat black, then used lacquer thinner on a rag over my thumb or the end of a finger (or a Q-tip) to remove the black before it set up

Same here, I let it go dry more or less and then one or two passes to remove the bulk and then a fresh cloth to clean it up
It really doesn't stick to the chrome anyway so it comes off easy in those areas
Mooser
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2012 | 05:09 PM
  #6  
Alan 71's Avatar
Alan 71
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,135
Likes: 4,206
From: Westminster Maryland
Default

Hi Jason,
ALL good suggestions!
I've had good results spraying the complete piece and then slicing the paint off the raised edges that should show the chrome.
You can spray, and then as soon as the the paint 'flashes', (2-3 minutes for Krylon 1613), you slice the paint off. Using an x-acto knife blade the paint comes off in long strings because it's still somewhat soft, but dry enough to not stick to the painted surface if it happens to.
By the way, the original paint was semi-flat, not flat or gloss.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan






Reply
Old Mar 7, 2012 | 11:31 PM
  #7  
oldsarge's Avatar
oldsarge
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,977
Likes: 19
From: Canboro Ontario
Default

Like Alan has done, I did mask all the chrome edges, but for the lettering, when the paint was dry, I used a razor blade scraped flat across the letters.

Reply
Old Mar 8, 2012 | 12:01 AM
  #8  
mrmagrath's Avatar
mrmagrath
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 803
Likes: 4
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Default

I found it better to do it while the paint was still a bit soft. The harder paint tended to chip off and sometimes leave jagged edges. But Alan's results stand up for themselves!
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-9

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
Old Mar 8, 2012 | 06:26 PM
  #9  
Vicky Vette's Avatar
Vicky Vette
Advanced
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Default

Alan, that is a good looking radio. Has it been restored?

Bob
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2012 | 10:12 PM
  #10  
1974ta's Avatar
1974ta
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 32
From: Damascus MD
Default Console

Agree with Alan. Krylon 1613 Semi Flat.

It is now found as an industrial coating since it is lacquer.

Razor blade worked perfectly and a little final clean up with lacquer thinner.

Bill
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2012 | 10:27 PM
  #11  
13611's Avatar
13611
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Supporting Lifetime Gold
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 983
Likes: 35
From: Redding California
Default Thanks...

Thank you all for the input... I learned first hand the importance of prep today! That's an entirely different post!!!... But the chrome looks good. Thanks again and I'll do better prep tomorrow so I can put all of your suggestions to use. Jason
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Console Restoration Question???





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:20 AM.

story-0
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-2
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-9
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE