How to clean the console

[joker72z]

So I have been reading for an hour and trying to find a thread on someone cleaning their center console...No luck.

I have a nice console but it is looking a little tired. I'm thinking the sun has faded it a little and it looks dirty even though I washed it with mild soap and water.

Has anyone successfully cleaned their console, making it look good again? or is the secret to spray it with trim paint?

I appreciate any feedback I can get.

Cheers,

Chris

[Walter Moore]

Personally I used Armor-all on mine.

Screaming from those who "know better" than to ever use that product in

10..9..8..7...

[joker72z]

I used to use Armor-all but I'm looking for a solution that will actually clean the plastic better. I thought for sure the soapy water would have worked better but it left the console looking a little "milky".

[DatsunZGuy]

The best method I found to restore a badly sun-damaged console was to remove it carefully out of the car. Then give it a good scrubbing with a soapy solution. Let it dry for a couple of days and finally spray it with something like Krylon satin clear acrylic.

[joker72z]

I did the wash and let it dry...the console is out of the car by the way. it did not really clean up like I thought. I wanted to see if I was missing something in the process as it doesn't look black and lean. perhaps a quick spray of SEM trim black would work?

[DatsunZGuy]

Yup, SEM trim black would work too.

If you can, please post before and after pictures when you're done. I'm sure this won't be the last time the topic is going to pop up.

[DeesZ]

I have used, with great results, Krylon "Fusion" satin black. It's designed to adhere to plastic, etc. There are a few pictures of repair & refinish results in my gallery...

I hope the links here take you to the pictures I posted a while back. This thing was broken and ugly prior to a bit of work. It shows the Krylon results on both sides, and it's the same type of material you will be refreshing. Hope this helps.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=21626&d=1202345518

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=21625&d=1202345518

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=21627&d=1202345518

[psdenno]

Here's what I did with mine...

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34894&highlight=center+console+repair

Dennis

[joker72z]

Dennis,

Do you remember what brand of paint is was at True-Value? It looks like a great job and that is what I was shooting for.

thanks

Chris

[psdenno]

Dennis,

Do you remember what brand of paint is was at True-Value? It looks like a great job and that is what I was shooting for.

thanks

Chris

Premium Decore Plastic Lawn Furniture paint. It has held up well and was an easy enough DIY project.

Dennis

[Reverend]

I painted mine with VHT vinyl spray and its good as new. Just clean it first with grease remover (asetone)

[Bonzi Lon]

If you want to try something that is NOT a permanant type paint, you might try KIWI shoe polish. I used it on all interior black parts, kick panels, sills, console, seat belt covers, even the 37 year old door gaskets. Did not do the dash and glove box cover, that is next. My console was rather grey looking, not any more. Huge difference for little effort. Just like shoes, wax on, wax off, polish to remove the residue.

Bonzi Lon