Hey Guys,

I'm bored with my VR-X's plain black center console. I want to paint it silver like the gear box. I found this picture on someone's webpage (see attachment)

Anyway... what would you guys reconmend me to do about painting it? Like is there a special type paint i'd need? Do i need to prime the surface before spraying? What about durability? Would it scratch easily? Is there a preferred brand of paint? Would I need to apply 2 or more layers? How much paint would i need for the something like the photo?

Ok that's enough question for now :D Thanks for any advice!

Well - as trav says - another reason to post pics of my car - normally i would say use the search as it has been covered numerous times - but i am bored - so will indulge in the details again.

Photo 1 (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3677)

Photo 2 (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3678)

Photo 3 (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3679)

Photo 4 (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3680)

Basically when i did mine - i pulled it all out, gave it a alco wipe bath to get all the dust / grime off. Primered it - used 4 coats of primer, let it have 15 minutes between each coat - then 24 hours to cure completely.

Then I gave it 5 coats of paint, allowing 15 minute touch dry between coats and 24 hours to cure after that.

put it back in the car, and vohla!! hey presto - after 18 month i had 1 little wear spot where my pinky rubbed the console as i changed gears all the time, but apart from that it was fine.

Also - some people use a clear coat, some don't - up to you - i didn't want it to shiny so i didnt.

The paint i used was just a normal metallic exterior touch up paint, and teh primer - is your normal range hard ware store primer.

Allow the Primer and Paint to cure for the proper amount of time - this will prevent any scratching.

Manual

*the difference waits for DVS to put up some smarte a$$ comment* :doubt:

thanks, will do a search:doubt:
Manual: nice interior!

What about getting like a pearlescent Paint for the centre console saw a set for $89 at Supercheap Auto, had some nice colors they had like a dark purplish color that at different angles looks blue.

It looked fairly nice, im thinking of doin that to my dash

Tom

What about getting like a pearlescent Paint for the centre console saw a set for $89 at Supercheap Auto, had some nice colors they had like a dark purplish color that at different angles looks blue.

It looked fairly nice, im thinking of doin that to my dash

Tom

I got the green of that stuff lined up for the dash of my supra ;)

Manual

What about getting like a pearlescent Paint for the centre console saw a set for $89 at Supercheap Auto, had some nice colors they had like a dark purplish color that at different angles looks blue.

It looked fairly nice, im thinking of doin that to my dash

Tom
DAMN!! Iwas gunna do that

i did my painting a little diff to the way manual did

1. removed the centre console (of course... or u could try painting it in ur car :nuts: )

2. cleaned it down with metho, 100 grit sandpaper (using wetsand methhod where u get wet&dry paper and use some detergent and water so the sandpaper doesnt get clogged and u get a more even sand) after that i used some toothpaste (laugh if u will, i love this stuff as it is a mild abrasive and really smooths the finish off) then clean down again with metho

3. Prime, let it dry for 20 mins sand with 1200 grit sandpaper, repeat this 3 times

4. Start painting (i got my paint from supercheap, exterior touch up paint) as u paint only go in horizontal and vertical motions, say we are doing the centre part (gear knob surround and the whatnot) i would start form top going across form side to side but dont hold the nozzle down the whole time only do it in short sprays otherwise u will get paint drops from the can, once u've gone side to side then u going lengthways top to bottom, then i would start from bottom to do left to right again then to bottom to top again and leave it to dry (i liked to give it an hour) and sand with 1200-2000 grit sand paper (i went overboard n used 2000 grit 1200 would work fine) and repeat til the paint looks the way u want it too, i did 4 coats i proabably should have done another 2, but i dont like the colour so i dont care :P

5. let it dry atleast overnight, pref warmish area (left mine in a heated room) and try not let dust settle on it (covered mine up with a plastic container)

6. very light sand using 1200-200 grit sandpaper just to smooth off any rough spots

7. (optional) clear coat it, apply layer of clear coat, light sand after it has dried then clear coat again (i didnt bother because the way that its been painted and the fact is exterior car touch up paint it really should ened a clear coat, plus clear coat detracts form the colour)

U may ask why i bother so much with sanding and preparing, this way u will not or get very minimal 'orange peel' effect in your paint and it will be very smooth and it will not scratch off very easy at all ( mine has a little, but that coz my centre console spent a month in my boot with various other sharp things, surprised it wasnt scratched more!) and it will feel smooh to touch too

if i had the patience i would have used 2000 grit for everything, let each coat dry for 24 hours (just to be sure) and left it for logner for the paint to dry, but im not a patient person nor do i not like having no centre console for a motnh :)

Clear Coat is good, Very good, over time you will see.

maybs ill just put some clear coat on ur ballsack


then i'll call you 'shiny sack'

depending what kinda look you want

acrylic doesnt give as much shine as 2pac
2pac black would come up a treat, silver aswell
i'm painting mine at the moment silver.

do a prime needs to be done give at least 2 coats just incase the first coat miss any. so the paint can stick to the plastic. run your hand over so u know its smooth no dust etc. otherwise when painting the dust etc will show up heaps later on. atleast do 2 coats silver depending on how much paint you have do couple more give them a light wet sand between coats. if you dont want a shine dont clear coat. but clear coat will protect a bit more. more clear coats the better shine and strength. i'm using a 2pac clear coat but acrylic silver.

want need much paint if just odd bits inside of car as for every litre u add 1.5 of thinners thats if your using a spraygun(500ml at most). if its cans your using prob only need 1 primer 2 silvers 1 clear coat. cheapest way out would be spraycans and quicker.

The centre console is already painted so no need for primer there.

But the bits around the speed dials etc are not painted so need at least plastic primer, a light coat.

I just cleaned mine with warm soapy water first, then metho and rag.

Two top coats of colour then about three coats of clear.

You need the clear so it wont scratch up and look horrible, I have done this to two magna's and not one of them got scratched off, because of three coats of clear, use it, it's good stuff.

Also after you do the clear you can 2000 grit wetsand it, and then hand polish it, for a really good shine.

Thanks for replies so far guys... very helpful! :bowrofl:

I'll be starting this project soon. I'll post pictures when finished. I'm getting excited about this as I type... it's gonna look sweet! :D Can't wait!!!!!

Do you guys think I should document as I go? Maybe put together a HOW-TO (or maybe a HOW-NOT-TO if i stuff?)

Yeah that would be good to put together a how-to, I have done it twice and did'nt bother, but I should have.

Where are the damn pictures...i want to see some sexy shiny pictures of these consoles. Really want to do mine...i was thinking just buying replacement parts out of ralliart. I'm sure they can do it!!


- bales

Where are the damn pictures...i want to see some sexy shiny pictures of these consoles. Really want to do mine...i was thinking just buying replacement parts out of ralliart. I'm sure they can do it!!


- bales

Uuurgh have you looked at the first page?? there is a heap of pics??

Oh - and talk about reviving the dead threads haha

Manual

holly cow... yes, talk about reviving a dead post (including a dead poster...) *haven't been on here for ages until i get a notification

unfortunately, this project has been delayed - maybe indefinately - because someone told me that it will depreciate the value of my car even more.

i was really hyped up and ready to go... but as it turned out, i had a wedding, then family issues, blah blah, etc... and the car is not on the list or priority... infact, it's so bad, that I haven't even washed the car for over 6months!! I guess it's a bit of an embarrasment driving a nice car like the VRX when it's all dirty and looking a bit tired... my green VRX now looks brown... shame on me...

Super Etch Primer is your friend in this kind of job.

im also looking at doing that to my center console.....why does everybody opt for grey? :nuts: i recon a nice shade of maroon or deep green would be nicer...but yeah thats just my opinion

unfortunately, this project has been delayed - maybe indefinately - because someone told me that it will depreciate the value of my car even more.

Why dont you go to the wreckers and pick up a second console? paint that on and keep the original for when you sell the car. It may even be good for value, as you could offer either dash / console with the sale of the car.