#1 I took the center console out. It was falling apart. I had to unscrew both the center console and the radio console.
I put tape on the wires so I could remember how it went back together. Then I tilted the top console out first in order to get the center console out.
After the console was out, I sanded it with 100 grit sand paper. Then cleaned it with soap and water, let it dry, then cleaned it with mineral spirits.
I bought some foam filler from the hardware store for a few bucks.
I cut away the sharp peeling hard vinyl. Then I filled it with foam. Let the foam dry over night and then cut it down with a utility knife. Then I sanded it down starting with 60 grit and finishing with 100 grit. I covered a couple of the small cracks with duct tape.
I bough a few yards of marine grade vinyl from a Joanne's Fabric Store. My wife gave me a 50% off so it cost me about $30. I guess they have the coupons all of the time. The color wasn't a perfect match, but it was close enough to the original color before it faded.
I roughed out three pieces of vinyl to match the two sides and the top. The hardest part of the project was pinning the vinyl around the console and trying to get it tight. I tried making a pattern by pinning a light weight fabric to the console but I couldn't see to get it right that way. I used the vinyl that I was going to sew.
I never used a sewing machine before this, and I couldn't find someone to do it for me, so I gave it a shot.
Then I laid it over the console to see how it looked. I was a little disappointed that it didn't fit more snugly. I didn't have much of choice unless I wanted to start over.
I bought some 3M spray adhesive. I sprayed it on one side of the console and matching vinyl and then worked my way along the console a little at a time. This was a pain in the neck. I probably should have used the stronger adhesive because parts wouldn't stick down.
The old cover that covered the shift boot was falling apart. I took out all of the threads and used it for a pattern to make a new one. Working with the sewing machine was actually kind of fun. With a little practice I think I could make some nice covers for the yard furniture and boat.
The top part of the console didn't have any rips, and I couldn't find a close enough match for the tan in spray paint, so I used some satin black spray paint that I already had in the garage. It was made for plastic and hard vinyl. It seemed to work OK. I put in a new radio at this time. The old one was shot and it was a gift. I hooked up the wires for a future amp while I was there. I also took out the hazard switch which was broken. I used this forum to figure out how take it apart and fix it. (Thanks Mike Bouse)
The finished product won't win any shows, but it was fun. I know if I did it again I could do better. I would take more time adhering the vinyl and working it into the corners. I might have even tried to cover the console with some foam and make it more like the arm of a couch in the house. Foam would have filled the vinyl out nicely. It looks 100 times better. I need to find a courtesy light, but that's the least of my problems. I didn't put the def. fan light in yet, but I will.
