Painting centre console
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 777
Likes: 0
From: Sooke BC
Painting centre console
For those that have done this what are the steps to doing right and how are they standing up to wear? Plus how would you go about smoothing out the texture?
Pictures to show off your work always helps motivate the more timid. Thanks
Pictures to show off your work always helps motivate the more timid. Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,270
Likes: 29
From: Chilliwack B.C.
I painted my C4 radio bezel about 3 years ago. The original coating was coming off with a fingernail! I lightly sanded it with 2000grit paper to rough it up a little and to blend the scratches. Used a grease & wax remover, then made several light coats with a rattle can to avoid orange peel & runs. Last Summer I also sprayed my door panels and seats from blue to black. Panels came out excellent but the seats have been harder to do due to normal rubbing from getting in & out. I used Duplicolor Vinyl and Fabric paint because it stays flexible when it dries. I've not smoothed out the texture on the door panels but I would think you could treat it like bodywork and use coarser sandpaper to rub off the high spots.
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You can do a search here on the forum about painting interior components - it may bring up some info for you. If not, I have some files that talk about painting the interior pieces as well as under the hood components. If you'd like a copy, PM me your e-mail address.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 203
From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
I did my console and steering wheel on my C3 it came out as good as stock. Go to a shoe maker or leather company and ask them for leather/vinyl dye in spray paint (excellent choice of colors) and some grease/wax remover make sure to use it as surface must be completely clean. Light coats and you can come back and reapply if necessary before install. Get them to explain how to if you like. You will be surprised on how easy and fantastic it looks. (A friend of mine re-dyes (paints) his wifes shoes to match her outfits regularly too!) Greetings, Rob
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 427
Likes: 2
From: Redding Ca
My rattle can method
Some folks won't like how I did mine... I used carburetor and choke cleaner to remove that rubber coating, melted off quicky.
Wet sanded the the plastic starting with 120 grit then 400 grit, 800 grit and a final 2000 grit then cleaned it with dish soap and rubbing alcohol.
All paint applied with spray can krylon primer and matte finish clear and dupi-color base.
3 coats of primer with light wet sanding 2000 grit between all coats of paint. 3 coats of base color and then 3 coats of matte clear , because I didn't want the console shiny. Just let the paint dry between coats as per spray can directions. (If you use a metallic base color do not sand the base color if will be mottled and won't look right.)
Hope this helps.....
good luck and have fun
Finished product..well almost, need to finish the rest of the arm rest console piece currently silver
I first started to sand the console but then decided to use the carb and choke cleaner melted off and wiped with a towel
This is the original console with rubber coating and texture
These plastic parts were painted in the same way just without the carb and choke cleaner no rubber coating stuff here
Wet sanded the the plastic starting with 120 grit then 400 grit, 800 grit and a final 2000 grit then cleaned it with dish soap and rubbing alcohol.
All paint applied with spray can krylon primer and matte finish clear and dupi-color base.
3 coats of primer with light wet sanding 2000 grit between all coats of paint. 3 coats of base color and then 3 coats of matte clear , because I didn't want the console shiny. Just let the paint dry between coats as per spray can directions. (If you use a metallic base color do not sand the base color if will be mottled and won't look right.)
Hope this helps.....
good luck and have fun Finished product..well almost, need to finish the rest of the arm rest console piece currently silver
I first started to sand the console but then decided to use the carb and choke cleaner melted off and wiped with a towel
This is the original console with rubber coating and texture
These plastic parts were painted in the same way just without the carb and choke cleaner no rubber coating stuff here
Last edited by 02koolC5; Jan 25, 2012 at 08:33 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,207
Likes: 312
From: Lino Lakes MN
Some folks won't like how I did mine... I used carburetor and choke cleaner to remove that rubber coating, melted off quicky.
Wet sanded the the plastic starting with 120 grit then 400 grit, 800 grit and a final 2000 grit then cleaned it with dish soap and rubbing alcohol.
All paint applied with spray can krylon primer and matte finish clear and dupi-color base.
3 coats of primer with light wet sanding 2000 grit between all coats of paint. 3 coats of base color and then 3 coats of matte clear , because I didn't want the console shiny. Just let the paint dry between coats as per spray can directions. (If you use a metallic base color do not sand the base color if will be mottled and won't look right.)
Hope this helps.....good luck and have fun
Finished product..well almost, need to finish the rest of the arm rest console piece currently silver
I first started to sand the console but then decided to use the carb and choke cleaner melted off and wiped with a towel
This is the original console with rubber coating and texture
These plastic parts were painted in the same way just without the carb and choke cleaner no rubber coating stuff here
Wet sanded the the plastic starting with 120 grit then 400 grit, 800 grit and a final 2000 grit then cleaned it with dish soap and rubbing alcohol.
All paint applied with spray can krylon primer and matte finish clear and dupi-color base.
3 coats of primer with light wet sanding 2000 grit between all coats of paint. 3 coats of base color and then 3 coats of matte clear , because I didn't want the console shiny. Just let the paint dry between coats as per spray can directions. (If you use a metallic base color do not sand the base color if will be mottled and won't look right.)
Hope this helps.....
good luck and have fun Finished product..well almost, need to finish the rest of the arm rest console piece currently silver
I first started to sand the console but then decided to use the carb and choke cleaner melted off and wiped with a towel
This is the original console with rubber coating and texture
These plastic parts were painted in the same way just without the carb and choke cleaner no rubber coating stuff here
only I used laquer thinner, just as effective but, work fast.my out comes with plastic promoter, primer sealer, top coat (duplicolor) and clear coat
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 80
Likes: 3
From: East Longmeadow MA
Mid-America products work well also.
I did the dash in my C4 Corvette and I was pleased with the results.
They sell the prep for both vinyl and plastic as well as dye.
I would recommend if you use this method to get the clear coat to cover the color.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/pict...ctureid=102383
They sell the prep for both vinyl and plastic as well as dye.
I would recommend if you use this method to get the clear coat to cover the color.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/pict...ctureid=102383
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 427
Likes: 2
From: Redding Ca
1.Because of the cold weather only able to apply 2 coats a day plus wet sanding
2.Its my daily driver so had to have enough time to dry for a sunday evening install
All in all its worth it and I'll do it again when its time to change color
Just have fun with itThis was a thread I started and got some great help ...its in the paint area of our forum http://forums.corvetteforum.com/pain...g-plastic.html
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 777
Likes: 0
From: Sooke BC
Funny you ask that...cause I dropped my cell phone on it today and it didn't chip or crack so I got lucky so, I suppose that would be the kind of abuse to be un-exspected other than that it would be just your leg rubbing on it no biggie there......Yes the smooth look will require that vinyl to be removed but its not the hard part ...its all the wet sanding that is alot of work. Mine took a couple of weekends
1.Because of the cold weather only able to apply 2 coats a day plus wet sanding
2.Its my daily driver so had to have enough time to dry for a sunday evening install
All in all its worth it and I'll do it again when its time to change color Just have fun with it
This was a thread I started and got some great help ...its in the paint area of our forum http://forums.corvetteforum.com/pain...g-plastic.html
1.Because of the cold weather only able to apply 2 coats a day plus wet sanding
2.Its my daily driver so had to have enough time to dry for a sunday evening install
All in all its worth it and I'll do it again when its time to change color
Just have fun with itThis was a thread I started and got some great help ...its in the paint area of our forum http://forums.corvetteforum.com/pain...g-plastic.html
