Centre Console Repair

[DJACEY(UK)]

I need to fill some holes in my centre console and was wondering what the best method is to replicate the original grain pattern ? It says in 'How to Restore Your Datsun Z-Car' that 'Cal Custom's Wrinkle Black' paint applied correctly gives a close approximation. Has any one tried this ? Also thought about taking an impression from a good area and imprinting it into the semi-dry filler ? Advice please. Thanks:ermm:

[v12horse]

I am very curious about this myself because my center console is in near perfect shape, but the previous owner(my dad) installed an aftermarket stereo, and I would like to put the orginal back in. Unfortunately, ther is a small hole where the antenna switch is. If I do the swap, the hole must be filled.

Yes, please. Any thoughts on this subject would be great. C'mon, for sake of Djacey and I; i am pouting over here. Someone must have done this before. If not, where can I get a cheap and perfect center console for a 260z with manual trans.

P.S. The old Hitachi is begging to be reunited once again. It is sitted in an unwelcoming Alpine box in my garage as we speak.

P.P.S. Forgive me for the dust that plagues the nooks and crannies.

Thanks,

Ben

[26th-Z]

My thoughts would be to go with making an impression for the new filler material. Try a modelling clay or a urethane compound to cast a mold. The wrinkle black paint is also a good idea to get a consistent color and finish when all the patches have been made. Do a web search for people in the business of refinishing interiors and find out what they do. I have two consoles in such a state and this very project ahead of me. I figured I would repair both, select the one I want and sell the other. I plan to cast repair blocks in a urethane compund that cures to a rubbery latex material and is used like a stamp on the filler material. I suspect I will paint the consoles as well. I also plan to cast molds for replacement rubber and plastic pieces. At one point, I was planning to cast radio face plates and console control face plates with this nifty urethane stuff I found.

As far as trying to find a complete clean console; just keep looking for what you want and "cheap" is going to be the price of the console at the time you want to buy it. Believe me, a similar console I bought a year ago for $75 is now for sale on eBay for $150 with the rest of the day to go. There are also people around making replacement consoles and I think Dashboard Restorations will cover a console for you.

[TomoHawk]

I would suggest some kind of filler, but not flush to the surface. Leave it a little short, then finish with some vinyl repair stuff- they give you graining patches to match the texture.

I thought the wrinkle paint was hard to find?

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by TomoHawk

I thought the wrinkle paint was hard to find?

I don't know about where you live, but in Northern CA it's available at almost an Checker/Schucks/Kragen store for $3-$4 a can. Last time I looked on Eastwood's website, it was available there too.

[hls30.com]

In Z Therapys 240Z Tubeup video, they repair the console to close with epoxy and fiberglass, then give a full coat of plastic paint-thick in the area of the repair, then use the graining sheets out of a vinyl repair kit to emboss the surface of the still wet paint. Interestingly, they repeatedly touch the surface with the sheets instead of letting the paint dry and then peel the sheet off.

I haven't tried their way, I have always used JB weld, a waxed piece of leather and a supported clamp, followed by plastic paint then a semi-gloss clear.

BTW most wrinkle paints only work on metal.

[Daniel]

V12 Horse, Your easiest fix is to replace the switch with another red or yellow indicator or black push button switch with black securing ring that will fit the hole. I assume it is just round under that metal plate. Radio shack will have it. It doesn't have to have a function. I once wired lights under the dash that lit the floor areas as 240s dont have those. VERY few people will know its not factory. Make it flash when the car is off and some will think its an alarm!

[DJACEY(UK)]

Just imported some 'Spray Grain' from the USA. Will try a practice run this weekend on a spare piece of plastic to see what happens and let you all know the results. Apparently, the more you spray the deeper the grain - we'll see !

[DJACEY(UK)]

Can anyone direct me to web sites where details of 'graining' sheets are shown and can be purchased ? Thanks.