removing center console rubber?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
removing center console rubber?
the paper thin rubber "skin" on my center console is coming off 
the plastic under it looks like the back half of the center console so i would like to remove the rest of the rubber. what is the best way to remove it. i can pick a little away at a time but would like to use a solvent or technique to to get it over with.
i did i search on the board but didn't come up with anything.
thanks,
hk
ed to say use denatured alcohol and a Scotch-Brite Light Duty Scrubber Sponge.
take your time and go slow. the rubber will slowly come off and it will not damage the plastic finish underneath. the plastic has the same texture as the rear half of the center console so with a little armorall it will look as good as new.
thanks for all the tips!
the plastic under it looks like the back half of the center console so i would like to remove the rest of the rubber. what is the best way to remove it. i can pick a little away at a time but would like to use a solvent or technique to to get it over with.
i did i search on the board but didn't come up with anything.
thanks,
hk
ed to say use denatured alcohol and a Scotch-Brite Light Duty Scrubber Sponge.
take your time and go slow. the rubber will slowly come off and it will not damage the plastic finish underneath. the plastic has the same texture as the rear half of the center console so with a little armorall it will look as good as new.
thanks for all the tips!
Last edited by hk940; Jan 26, 2007 at 07:41 PM. Reason: found answer
Lepus-temperamentalus
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,827
Likes: 5
From: Roswell Ga
Don't really know what thin rubber "skin" you're talking about but be extremely careful with any sort of chemical solvent. Most are petroleum based and will melt that console down to a puddle of black goo in a heartbeat.
Can't really help you, but be careful.
Can't really help you, but be careful.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
the front part of the center console (where the cup holder, stick shift, and key cutout are) has a super thin rubber skin on it. well at least mine does. this skin has been wearing away under where my right knee touches it and also around the drivers seat. i have pealed enough away to realize if i peal the rest off the plastic under it looks like the rest of the car. so i just need to peal the rest away. but i don't want to spend the next couple years trying to do that. not if i can use something to take it off in a few minutes.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
i saw that. i just didn't want to go that route. there is nothing wrong with what i have except the rubber is pealing.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 18,401
Likes: 3
From: Retired but working
Cruise-In VI Veteran
There was a thread where someone covered it all with paper thin leather and it really looked great. I found some at Michaels Hobby shop and may do the same. I'll see if I can find the thread and keep you posted when I start.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 0
From: arlington tx
mine did it too- the entire radio/ac control/ashtray/cupholder piece of the console isnt that expensive, cant remember how much, want to say 90 bucks or so through various vendors and i just replaced mine all together. theres alot of people on here that have painted theirs so they had to remove that rubbery crap anyway so i hope they chime in for ya.
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Richmond VA
Has anyone found a source for the rubber paint? I have been thinking about doing some customization of my console to fit in a nav unit but would need to repaint it after the mods. I rather like the feel of the factory rubber and would hate to lose it.
-John
-John
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
From: Ashburn VA
It seems to be a common problem with the C5 interior. When I had my 97 the same thing happened. Just from daily driving where my knee would rub against the console it started to peel off. I was told by many here that they had the same problem. A lot of folks mod them any ways with paint or go to carbon fiber. I just replaced mine with a new part from GM for about 80 bucks I think.
I have the same problem.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 34
I will throw this out. do this at your own risk.
I picked up an extra unit to do my stereo install. it was all screwed up.
pealing and cracked.
I removed the rubber with acetone.
I put it on a rag and rubbed in on the console. it pulled it up pretty easy.
WARNING:
doing this might melt some plastic texture molding down a little.
will more then likly leave you with a console that has a white film on it.
IO did not care since I was modding the console.
After doing some cutting and melting to make what I needed for the head unit I painted the console with black rubber paint from home depot.
it turned out like this.
NOTE:
I have not finished this install, so I cant tell you how durable the paint is. it does match as close as I can get. I dont know any other alternative besides buying a new one. or a really nice used one.
I picked up an extra unit to do my stereo install. it was all screwed up.
pealing and cracked.
I removed the rubber with acetone.
I put it on a rag and rubbed in on the console. it pulled it up pretty easy.
WARNING:
doing this might melt some plastic texture molding down a little.
will more then likly leave you with a console that has a white film on it.
IO did not care since I was modding the console.
After doing some cutting and melting to make what I needed for the head unit I painted the console with black rubber paint from home depot.
it turned out like this.
NOTE:
I have not finished this install, so I cant tell you how durable the paint is. it does match as close as I can get. I dont know any other alternative besides buying a new one. or a really nice used one.
