Howdy,
It’s been a minute since I last posted about my 67’ project. I’m starting on re-painting the Shifter Console and I have a couple of questions. Should I primer the console before I paint it or do I just paint it with the spray paint I purchased from Corvette America/Top Flight automotive? When prepping it for paint will a clean rag with lacquer thinner remove all impurities and leave a clean enough surface before painting? I did not have to remove the old paint as the previous owner had started the restoration process before I bought the car. I masked the console using 1/8” tape to follow the curves smoothly, then followed with 1/4” tape and finally finished with 3/4” painters tape. Yeah I’m a little OCD about stuff. Just thought I’d let folks know how I masked everything off. Not a fun job I must say. So what says the peanut gallery here?
Thanks,
Chris

 

What are the directions on the can ?
If not clear, maybe a light dust coat of etch primer.

 

That's what I did, a light coat of etching primer.

I also used lacquer thinner with a small brass brush to get in all the grain. I scrubbed, and then "rinsed" with more Lacquer thinner and a clean lint-free rag, then let it sit in the sun for most of the day, to ensure the thinner evaporated.

 

Lint free means microfiber

painters tax rag hardware store type are to sticky leave residue

 

I would use self etching primer although some will say it’s not really that effective on chrome. But if there is already paint on the console it probably won’t have much effect. If painting over a previously painted surface, I would use Bullseye primer.

I would scrub the existing painted surface with a degreaser like PrepSol and a toothbrush and use a tack cloth on the surface to remove all lint, dust and other loose material and then prime with Bullseye.

 

When I last did a console I used lacquere thinner soaked red scotch brite pad to remove all the old paint and to scuff it up. Then I wiped it down with a clean lacquer rag. Taped it off and wiped it down again. Then lightly sprayed self etching primer followed by a top coat. Turned out very well

 

I used a scotch brite pad, Eastwood paint prep, tack cloth, & taped it like you did. I used SEM trim black & called them to ask about primer & they said not to use any. I did 3 light coats & went to pull the tape immediately after the 3rd coat & it was peeling off the paint. On the second try I let it dry for many days while I did other things & it came out perfect. It may be different with your paint, but it never hurts to call the manufacturer & ask. Good luck
Darin

 

I did mine as a color change to red - Used a combo of the above: scotchbrite, Eastwood Pre (I'm a big fan). I did use etching primer, then the dye, using light coats. I continue to be surprised to say it's been 20 years, and it looks like the day I finished it. I drive regularly - no chipping, scratching, or noticeable fade.

 

Microfiber towels are not lint free, the better ones have far less and the cheap ones are full of lint. Tack cloth is best.

The other Dan

 

Thanks for the input everyone. I ordered a can of etch primer and will start with that. Before I start, I’ll wipe it down again with lacquer thinner, then apply the primer. This will be my first console re-paint. I've been lucky all my previous cars the consoles were pretty nice.
Chris

 

Ok, the console saga continues…
got my etching primer, dusted a couple of thin coats on an let it sit overnight. Next day, I get one of the Red interior dye cans and start to lightly dust on the color. Now I’m not color blind, but the color seemed more maroon then red to my old eyes. So I had two new cans I bought at the same time, from Top Flight/Corvette America, so I figured I’d try the second can. Same result, definitely more maroon than red. I’ll call the supplier, and see if these were somehow labeled incorrectly, which I believe they were. Enjoy the pictures and leave your thoughts. And what fun…I get to strip my fresh paint off and then have the pleasure of re-masking. What a joy 🥲. The places that look like bad spots in my paint job are from me picking at the finish. It’s all got to come off anyway. I so love doing things at least twice….GRRRRR!!!

 

I think you’re the second person that’s experienced this recently and I wouldn’t be happy with that either.

 

I agree - there was a post about this a week or two ago.

Again, self-etching primer is not formulated to use over other paint - only bare metal. You want an adhesion promoter for top coating paint, plastic or vinyl.

 

Well, here’s the latest,
Called Top Flight customer service, asked if either the paint is labeled incorrectly or did I order the wrong color. They asked me to send the appropriate pictures showing my concerns. I did as requested, then a few days later, I get a reply stating the paint can unfortunately doesn’t tell you to spray the color over a white base coat. Ok, I had already stripped the maroon looking paint off my console but wasn’t ready to give “their solution” a try. So, like I should have done the first time, I sprayed a test panel. Guess what, no joy 🥹. It may be a couple of shades less maroon but definitely not red. So any suggestions as to how and get a color that’s at least close? I don’t have an original color sample nor paint shop close to try and have something mixed. Also do I have a viable way to apply the paint if I did. Aerosol cans are really my only option. I can be the only one with this problem. Any ideas?
Chris

 

Take off your radio access side panel for a reference and bring to Home Depot, Lowe’s or other hardware or automotive store and see if one of the shades of red match better. I realize you will have to go by cap color but maybe you can narrow it down to a can. or two and test at home.

 

any “ local” automotive paint stores around?

been a few years, but some can load color in a spray can. Match to your radio sides.


I had the same issue with some paint for my Chevelle…. Ordered 4 cans, and they were mislabeled…. I called and asked if they could test spray/verify/send me 4 replacements…. When they arrived, they were also incorrect…. Called again and they refunded me, but never sent any more ( and didn’t say they weren’t sending any more…). Luckily I later bought a new project car that used the same interior color…

 

You need an auto paint store. Take an interior trim piece like the radio side panels to them for a color match. Be sure to discuss the level of gloss you need. Most paint stores can additionally load the paint into an aerosol can for you.

 

Hello Again,
My console saga continues but at least it’s close enough for now. When I redo the complete interior in the future I’ll have some custom paint mixed. Until then here are my results and how I got there. I purchased the Krylon “Matte Pepper Red” that I was told was close either here or on the NCRS forum. I was closer to what I was looking for but I wanted better. I tried Dupli-Color HPV Vinyl Red and SEM Color Coat Flame Red and found these two colors were too “Brite Red” for my taste. They both looked like the Brite Red/Orange color used in 63’-64’. So I countinued my search and found on another Chevrolet site that they used the Red from OER and were happy. So what’s another $40 bucks at this point, I ordered it from Summit Racing, and received it the next day. I sprayed a test panel and it looked promising. Now on to the console. First step was making sure all the previous paint and primer was removed. Next I throughly cleaned the console with lacquer thinner. Then once again the joy of masking the console. Re- cleaned with lacquer thinner to remove any grease marks left by my grubby fingers during the masking process. Now the fun part begins….. I sprayed the console with a very light grey etching primer….It almost looks white. Then let it cure for a couple of days. Ok, ready to give the OER red paint it’s chance.
Re-clean the console with a new tack rag, now the paint goes on very thin, it took 4 or 5 coats to get full coverage without the console graining getting filled in. It may not be perfect to everyone but I’m happy enough with the results to move on and install the console and e-brake housing then on to the next item on the list….whatever that will be…. I’m thinking a 4 wheel alignment is next.

The original Red by Corvette America/Top Flight. As you can see very Maroon in color.

SEM Color Coat that was also Too Red.

Dupli-Color that was Too Red.

This is the Krylon Matte Pepper Red that was closer but not quite what I wanted.

Here is the SEM etching primer I used

What the OER Red paint can looks like.

The part number on the OER Red.

The final results.

Very close to what I expected in the beginning

Just another full part picture. It looks a little darker in this shot but due to less sunlight.
Enjoy the pictures and let me know what you’all think. I’m happy for now so I guess that’s all that really matters…right!

 

Looks good to me. Using that self-etching primer is a must when painting any aluminum, stainless or chromed trim in order to get good adhesion and clean tape edges.

 

Came out great! Good hustle on getting the right color!