Painting a Soft Console

[srwilson]

Looking for advice and previous experiences when painting a soft console.

I need to replace my lower (between the seats) console and I've only been able to find black ones. The problem is I have a tan or beige interior. I thought I might just switch from tan to black but I'm not sure how that will look since the seats, carpets, door panels are tan. Maybe some one has done this and wouldn't mind sharing a picture. If so I would appreciate it.

But if you have painted one of these soft consoles; what kind of paint? Is there any particular brand that works better? Have you found a color that matches nicely with the Fiat tan? How well has it lasted? Does it resist scratching? ect,...?

I'm afraid I'm going to go spend $300 bucks and in 5 mins with a spray can I'm goings to screw it up...

[rjkoop]

I painted my console with SEM vinyl spray paint. Worked great. Thorough cleaning with soap/water, then used SEM vinyl spray cleaner and then about 4 coats of SEM paint. That being said I didn't change the color. Just made the tan look a lot better.

Got the paint from http://www.vinylprosem.com/ for $10.95 a can.

[4uall]

I have a tan interior and will be going with a black cap to break up the colour a little.

You can get tan caps at http://www.autoricambi.us/product/RI4-4 ... ---Beige-/

[RRoller123]

Good thread. Is there a recommended method for filling small tears and gouges in the console? Mine is going to be pulled and painted too, but it has a couple of gouges, each maybe an inch long, 1/4" wide, 1/8" deep that need repair. I would like to keep the original console and just refurb it. Thanks.

Pete

[dmwhiteoak]

Jay, how do you get that top boot to look so smooth?

[rjkoop]

I just used clear plastic flexible adhesive/filler bought from Cdn Tire but I'm sure Home Depot/wherever would have the same. I used it to fix a whole in the door cover where the PO removed the mirror adjustment knob and filled a few gouges in my center console. I can check the brand when I get home. After spray painting with 4 coats of SEM vinyl paint it looks pretty good. Not perfect but mine's a daily driver (or will be when I'm done ).

[4uall]

not sure really I start by attaching my straps properly then I simply attach the cover and then put the hooks in the side panel holes

[dmwhiteoak]

Oops

[SLOSpider]

Don't the rubber hooks attach to the cover and not the top?

[4uall]

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... &start=150

page 11

http://wwwe.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopi ... lit=straps

http://wwwe.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopi ... ps#p132577

[focodave]

Steve,
Here are before and after pix of my interior.
I bought a new center console and upper console from Mark Allison.
I also changed the color of my armrests from tan to black.
Dave

[RRoller123]

Very nice!

[srwilson]

Thanks Guys! I'm about to pull the trigger on the black soft console... I think. I'm somewhat afraid of those caps for some reason. If anyone could screw it up, putting it on, it would be me. Have people had pretty good luck with them?

Dave, thanks for the pictures; that really helped. I think the contrast actually looks pretty good I think a black console might just work for me.

RJ, thanks for the paint suggestion too. If I do decide to paint I'll be buying some of your suggested paint.

You guys are the best!!!

[rjkoop]

I checked and the stuff I used to fix rips/gouges in vinyl door covers and center console was LePage Flexible Plastic adhesive.

http://lepageproducts.com/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=130

Worked for me but I'm just a newbie at this stuff... and loving it! Wonder what I did with my time before...

[pluktv]

So... Is there a specific code number for said SEM paint? (Thinking of ordering from http://www.vinylprosem.com ) I say this as I see there is a few tan/beiges available.
Cheers