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Has anyone done a vinyl wrap on their console? If so, was it something a person with no experience (me) could do themselves without completely botching it? And how did it turn out? Where can you buy the vinyl?I would like to change mine from black to red but don't want to paint it. Thanks in advance for any responses.
Much of my wrap-vinyl experience is with the console/radio bezel. I did it 7 times. Successful 3 times. I count 7 because it was almost done when I made an unrecoverable mistake.(rip).
I’m a former Shop teacher and obsessive DIY’er, so I ‘HAD’ to try it.
My last one came out pretty good, but the problem is with
Compound curves
Small application areas
Effect of heat after the install.
Choice of material is key. I know everyone loves Di-Noc, but it’s not for automotive use. I found that the major vendors of vinyl that I used, Feller’s, and Metro Restyling are very helpful and patient. I found the same thing with 3M, so whenever I had a problem I went to them. You’ll see lots of ‘random’ advice.
I used 3M 1080, Arlon, and Avery vinyls for whatever I attempted (not a fan of Vivid). All were good products. I also used 3M primer which helps the vinyl stick.
You need a heat gun or a pretty hot hairdryer to accommodate certain curves, but it’s no guarantee of success. You also have to ‘post heat’ the vinyl to approx. 200 degrees after you have it in place to ‘kill’ the memory. Watch some videos and you will see what I mean.
Wrap vinyl shows the condition of the substrate underneath, so a high gloss vinyl will have a ‘pebbly’ appearance. Some people sand out the texture. Good luck with that.
After I had my bezel converted to Double Din, I decided to cease fighting with the vinyl and painted it with a very nice texture paint.
To add a fly to this ointment, I covered the bezel of my Z with black perforated Naugahyde, and that probably was the best looking job out of all of them, but it MUST have a seam.
I’ll post pix later if you would like.
[Curious now. If ya plasticdip it is it a DIY project or have a paint shop do it?? And what are the costs? I've got black and want to got to red also. Thank y'all got the input.UOTE][/QUOTE]
Plasit-dip comes in a spray can and is just like using spray paint. Should be a simple DIY It isn't more than $10 a can and one can should do the trick. Not sure about primer. Anybody?
I’ve never used Plastidip, and I’ve never seen or touched the result either. Therefore, my opinion will be very prejudiced.
To me, if it comes off so easily, how durable can it be for everyday use? As an experiment, especially with a color you are unsure about, it makes some sense, but I would prefer to use a real paint, and if I didn’t like it, I’d go over it, without the need do remove it.
This is the Naugahyde job in my Z06. The seam is in the lower left of the picture. Much easier to work with than wrap vinyl, and if I could find some that matched my current perforated trim, I’d do it again. I didn’t even have a good contact cement at that time. There was some lifting after about a year, but I now know how to prevent/deal with it.
I attempted to put vinyl wrap on something as simple as the front DRL's and had a major fight with the vinyl wrinkling up around the curvature of the lenses. The amount of curves and turns on the console would be a daunting task for all but the most experienced vinyl wrapping artist (that's what they are!) The more critical aspect to me is the possibility of damaging the wrap while you're trying to finesse the console BACK into the car! It's a bit of a jigsaw/tetris kind of attempt; just try removing it to begin with, and you'll find how patient you need to be!
I recently posted a thread about my experience with painting a console https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-pictures.html for refrence, and there are many excellent threads on the painting subject (much better than mine) when you do a forum search (those are what gave me the inspiration and education to do mine!)
I happened to find a console on AES's site (a forum vendor) that was already sanded and painted for $100, BUT the paint color was wrong for me--HOWEVER, all the sanding and smoothing had already been done!
Keep an eye out for something like this, so that way you have a console you can "experiment on", instead of having to worry about disfiguring your only one that's neatly sitting in your car at this very moment.
As an example of plasti-dipping, I plast-dipped the bowtie badges on my Suburban a year ago this month in black, and they have held up very well (no rips or tears) Now they do look like the finish is starting to diminish, but I think that's due in part from washing the car at least one a month over the course of 12 months. The stuff is really easy to use, just make sure it's clean as can be with no oils left behind.
lastly, the red color of plasti dip is very distinct, with few choices of that color's hue not falling into the range of orange, so be aware of your limited choice of "red".
No matter what, post pictures of your project! It inspires and helps those presently in the forum, as well those who will join in the future!
Last edited by Edmund Iverson; Apr 14, 2019 at 08:58 AM.
I’m sure. Has it been thru a summer?
the battery surround is not riddled with compound curves.
What does your interior look like now?
Yes, it has been through a summer and is still hanging in there. As far as the interior, it is black (02 Z06). I added red door and dash grab handle wraps, red shift boot and e brake cover, a red console door cover, and red/black neoprene seat covers. Also red floor mats. The condition of the interior is excellent with no rips, tears, worn spots etc. I'd supply a picture but can't get the hang of posting them from my phone or computer. Luddite when it comes to that.
Luddites are fine people! Seems like a nice mix of red and black. the texure paint I used as either Duplicolor or Rustoleum, and I know it comes in many colors but I don’t think your red, which is similar to Torch Red. Since the console already has a textured surface, a semi gloss/satin match to your red might look good. I have concerns about matte paint because it easily fingermarks and can be dicey to clean.
In reference to Edmund’s remarks, the big problem I anticipate with Plasti-dip is for a ‘high contact area’ like the console. I wonder how it will hold up there and how clean it can get once subject to handling.
Installing a properly applied vinyl wrapped bezel is no problem. I did it many times and it was the least of my concerns, which I delineated earlier.
I appreciate the advice. Since it is still semi winter here I have a few weeks to decide (actually all summer) what to do. I was thinking about the plasti-dip in high contact areas myself. Maybe I'll just do a few small areas like the ashtray cover etc and see what happens. I'd like to go vinyl or plasti dip just for the easier removal factor if I want to change again..
Last edited by glbeauchamp; Apr 14, 2019 at 01:16 PM.
Beau, just an FYI, usually the entire bezel has to come out to get the ashtray door and cupholder cover off. They have a 2 piece pin that can only be released from one end.
console vinyl wrap
