need tips on reconditioning my center console

[BobbyK]

My center console is scratched up and in need of a reconditioning.The previous owner painted it and it is quite thick in area's and actually covers some of the fake grain imprinted in the console.
How do I strip this thing without harming the fiberglass and I need some tips on repainting it.What kind of paint,any special prep. to the stripped down fiberglass.
That kind of thing.

[bigvinnie]

with scratches and thick paint to remove, sounds like it's more trouble than it's worth if you really want it to look nice.... I'd look on the parts board for another one....

but you could try some paint thinner/mineral spirits/paint remover in an area that wont be seen, to see if the paint will dissolve without harming the console... then get a stiff bristle brush and some rubber gloves and get to work...

nah, on second thought, just get another console...

[matt67350]

Classic truck magazine had an artical on that a few issues back.
Also try Hemmings Motor News at News stands

[WHYBYNU]

someone posted on here not long ago that they had theres media blasted and painted black and it came out awesome you might do a search useing key word "console" and find out more details on how they did it... my .02

[BobbyK]

Well last night I went to it on the console and the results are in.
1st I tried Simple Green-it didn't work at all.

2nd was brake fluid.I saturated a paper towel and laid it on the surface for about 1/2hr.-It worked on the black (top layer) paint.But didn't do much on the factory applied blue color.

3rd was some denatured alcohol(whoo that stuff stinks!)Again I saturated a paper towel and laid it on the consol surface but only for about 5 minutes as the denatured alcohol evaporates pretty quickly.-It too worked well on the top black layer but only had marginal results on the factory applied layer.

4th I tried some brake cleaner(talk about stinkin,I should have tried this one outside!)The best results of all methods I tried.I just sprayed it on then rubbed it off with a paper towel.-It got both layers of paint off easily and didn't mar or harm the base layer or any of the fake grain.

It will prob. take about 10 cans to do the whole console but I think it should come out o.k.I'll take pic's when I have it done.
Those listed are the only one's I tried as that's all I had on hand.The hardware store wasn't open at midnight when I was attempting this.
Thanks for all the suggestions.

[junkyardjohn]

I have stripped these with the arosol aircraft paint remover -stripper (it's available at wal-marts) & a stiff brush. spray it on- let it sit for 4 or 5 minutes- scrub with the brush while you rinse with the hose. I've done this on a few consoles without damaging the plastic of the console. J-B weld also works really good for patching up any cracks or chips, or extra holes. Then you can buy plastic & auto interior dye (also available at wal-marts in black) to spray it with, as it holds up a whole lot better than paint. GOOD LUCK WITH IT.
(I've sold a few on ebay, & have never had one sell for less than $150)

[BobbyK]

Thanks junkyard,I'll try that stuff too!

[Hooter]

Spray it down with easy off oven cleaner. Let it sit for an hour and the overn cleaner will strip the paint right off. Trust me on this

[Cheesewagon]

Hi, yes Hooter is right about the oven cleaner. I'll read about this in Fine Modeling magazine. Just don't leave it on very long. Good luck with your project and have a good one, Tom.

[BobbyK]

Oven cleaner huh.
I'm not going to end up with a melted blob of a console am I?
It won't effect the fake grain on the console will it?
That would be a much CHEAPER method.
Let me know.Thanks

[rusty ol' 69']

I've used oven cleaner to degrease a motor, and the stuff works great. I can't imagine it working on plastic without melting the stuff, but you learn somethin new everyday!!

[Hooter]

You read fine modelling magazine too? cool I thought I was the only one