Respray Type R Centre Console

lee1101 · 15 Mar 2012 at 19:52

Hi

My centre console has got a few little scratches which are really bugging me so I would like to give it nice fresh coat of paint.

I'm planning on removing the entire console and all the dials etc, giving it a gentle sanding, then few coats of primer, few coats of paint, then lacquer to finish.

Has anyone attempted something similar? If so do you have a tips for a good finish?

Any help would be very appreciated!

rodenal · 15 Mar 2012 at 19:55

Have you seen the replacement centre consoles from honda? There a couple of different finishes iirc. I done a bit of trim on my mk2 mr2, but I'm sure I didn't use lacquer for some reason, possibly to do with reflections? Worth reading up on. With any painting its all to do with how carefully you prep and adequate sanding between coats/ the right drying time. Make sure you use smooth even strokes too when putting on each layer

lee1101 · 15 Mar 2012 at 20:29

Yeah but they are quite pricey

I've set aside the whole weekend to get it done so ill take my time

Would you advise sanding between coats then for a better finish?

rodenal · 15 Mar 2012 at 20:41

I did, removes little imperfections, if you can then a cleaner inbetween coats can help too but dont go overboard for a bit of trim, will look fine as long as you take your time. Start at quite a rough grade of wet and dry for the first primer coat and work your way down. Oh and use the correct type and colour of primer

Is the type R console glossy or matt? I cant remember but an oem glossy finish might be hard to achieve

Oh and your paint materials will probably be pushing 35 quid, I know the honda bits are more expensive but you're probably talking 50ish more than doing it yourself (though it can be pretty satisfying when it goes well)

rjk · 15 Mar 2012 at 20:47

Could you not get a cheap one off the bay/ breakers and work on that?
Then the only downtime you have on your car is fitting time.

bledd · 16 Mar 2012 at 11:48

Another option is getting it flocked..

Dup · 16 Mar 2012 at 11:55

Look up touching up the door handle inserts on the forums I remember there being a guide. They recommend which off the shelf paint matches etc.

Should be easy enough. Few light coats, don't think lacquer is needed.

brightside229 · 16 Mar 2012 at 11:59

Personaly would not attempt this, if you have to ask what to do then dont do it as you dont have enough experience. And will potentialy bodge up the interior of your car, best thing to do would be to buy one from honda, or look on ebay, and then sell the one you are taking out yourself on ebay, wont work out too expensive that way!

I have done the inserts on the door handles on my civic, which was very simple, light sand down and painted it, around 3 coates, looked perfect after, but, a year later and the paint has started to rub off like before! didnt use laquer though

Stormster · 16 Mar 2012 at 18:44

I've seen some done with that 3M stuff and it can look good:

Takes aaaaages to do it properly though apparently... only thing putting me off, I'd rush it and ruin it!

lee1101 · 16 Mar 2012 at 18:46

Yeah that looks good but I bet its a royal pain in the butt to do nicely!

WantoN · 16 Mar 2012 at 21:05

brightside229 said:
Personaly would not attempt this, if you have to ask what to do then dont do it as you dont have enough experience. And will potentialy bodge up the interior of your car, best thing to do would be to buy one from honda, or look on ebay, and then sell the one you are taking out yourself on ebay, wont work out too expensive that way!

I have done the inserts on the door handles on my civic, which was very simple, light sand down and painted it, around 3 coates, looked perfect after, but, a year later and the paint has started to rub off like before! didnt use laquer though

But this is how you get experience?? If he botches he can simply resand and spray.

Just start with a rougher grit and work up to a light one. I like high build primers as they're good for filling. Then guide coat with a very fine misting of black paint to see high spots. Resand, and spray. Light coats first.

ins0mn1ac · 16 Mar 2012 at 21:29

Sand it down with something like 800grit but don't go mental, clean it up and wash it off then give it a coat of primer. Once you're happy with the primer coat give it a rub down with something like 1200, a really fine paper will give it a smooth silky finish. Then go for your colour and remember don't spray too much and take your time. Couple of coats of laquer, job done

More time you take to prep/sand it down the better it'll look. Plus make sure its in a warm room and pre-warm+shake! the primer/paint before you use it!