After a lot of work getting the old rubber coating off a well-worn center console (85% methylated spirit doesn't really do magic, I presume the 95% as described elsewhere works better? Can anyone confirm?) I've now gone and re-coated it.

I haven't got pictures because after the coat I sprayed on there it just INSTANTLY started to rain and I don't think I can rescue the project.

BUT... it looked 100% like new and standard after the refurbish: a good, rubbery matte coating. Just like the factory coating. Only more resistante to scratches and stuff as it seems.

The way to do it? Get all the rubber off, then respray it with this stuff:

http://www.plastidip.co.uk/

Take the £9 black aerosol. No primer or finishing required. Just spray it on. You should spray until the console looks wet, preferably in a warm environment. Too much will cause tiny holes in the paint, too little and you will get a textured finish.

I hope to show some images soon, but to anyone: this is THE way to get a brand new factory look.

One spray can will do 3-4 consoles I reckon.

UPDATE pictures

Okay - I've since managed to ruin the project because it started drizzling when I was applying the final coat. It DID have a very smooth, standard-looking finish. However, due to a large drip (my fault - too dark when I applied the first layer!) and the drizzling which caused some holes in the paint, I have gone over it with a large spray from a distance to give it a textured look. So... here are the GOOD images.

thanks kayjey for the info , awiat the pic's to see how it looks .

Brilliant! I've got some 100% methanol that I'm going to try and this sounds like it will work, I'm still not sure about flocking. Did you go for glow in the dark yellow by any chance?

Noway lol

I bought this stuff a month ago an was doing a project then was going to post results,I have red an black cans,the stuff is amazing covers anything.give it a look on YouTube see what can be done with it

web site says it has sound deadening qualities Could this stuff be painted inside the rear quarters to help prevent corrosion, or will it just lock in moisture and aid it. I'm tempted to get a crate of the stuff and cover everything I can.

This Plasti Dip stuff looks good! I'm already making a mental short-list of everything I could coat with it!

Kayjey
I asked this a while back but was never brave enough to see it through by trying it - so pleased to see this work. I'll be getting a can of this.
http://www.fiatcoupeclub.org/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=81437&Number=979469#Post979469

I recently did mine and cleaned it off with Methylated Spirits and then recoated it with this:
http://www.vhtpaint.com/hoodbumpertrimpaint.html

Not sure if this product is available in UK/Europe.

Very happy with the result.

I've tried some bumper stuff too before I bought the plastidip. Plastidip has a much better finish.

pics pics pics please!

Some pics would be great, Kayjey

I've been looking for something to redo my dash with, and this sounds spot on!

Has anyone tried Cellulose Thinners on the rubber to get it off? It seems to do well at attacking most things.

Including the plastic? I have some at home but I wouldn't take it near the Coupe's dash after I melted a plastic bottle with it. But feel free...

i found nail varnish remover and some gold or grey scotch worked for me

also keys it up for you if your painting it

PICTURES!

Okay - as I've said I managed to ruin the project because it started drizzling when I was applying the final coat - causing tiny 'holes' in the paint when it evaporated. It DID have a very smooth, standard-looking finish.

Also I caused a VERY large drip on my first attempt which I didn't notice due to it being too dark.

To cover the holes in the paint I applied a third very light coating from a good distance to give it some texture.

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The end result: a rubber coating that feels quite harder than the original one on there. I can recommend this to everyone. The way to have a smooth coating is to apply a generous amount of this stuff so that the entire console looks quite wet. Warm or sunny weather is better I believe to make sure the paint smooths out. If you apply it correctly, it will give a smooth finish with a minimum of texture. Like standard. If you want some texture, wait 30 minutes and spray a 'dusty' coat of the stuff from a good distance. Just quickly give it another once-over and it will turn out like the pictures.

And to illustrate what can go wrong...

Huge drip because I didn't see what I was doing in the darkness (and to be honest because I was trying to find the limit of the paint - which lies far far away: the paint rally can be applied in quite a thick layer BUT al always YES you CAN ruin it):


Rain damage - tiny holes in the paint, tried to cover them up

only way this stuff really runs is if the can is being held to close.

ive tried an tried to get it pure smooth,dont think it happens,there is always a slight texture when it drys.

great first attempt kayjey

Maybe. I got it quite smooth. As said, drip is entirely my fault as I was doing it 11 in the evening in the garden so couldn't see what I was doing. My first finish was almost perfectly smooth when dry, so I suspect you can do it with a liberal amount of the stuff.

Really nice stuff there

Finish looks very good Keyjay, just resprayed the lower section of mine in satin black paint to match the B pillars. Now you're tempting me to re do it!

Whats the plan for the ashtray?

looks good, will give this a try too, on the handbrake console, I'm also not sure about flocking.....

.....just bought a can, i'll post up photo's once done.....

is it a hard finish, or does it feel rubbery....?

How are you going to get to it rich. is it easy to remove?

Are you just going to spray it straight onto the console or are you going to treat it first.

i'll remove the rubberised coating first.

Iv removed my handbrake console before, when I had the whole lower console out a couple of years back, they are abit tricky but nothing being methodical cant solve.

I attached the front differently when putting it back, this is the hard bit as its directly attached to the lower console IIRC.

I also attached a E46 armrest to mine, have to have an armrest, this was very tricky, lots of hidden bracing/screwing etc etc, but looks 90% factory now IMO, i'll be spraying these bits to match the console when I remove and refit.

It feels harder (tougher) than the standard finish, but rubbery. It's great to be honest. In fact the console is at Joe's (who thought it looked marvellous!!) who's going to send it on to the original owner again.

Rich do you have any pics of the armrest?

+1 Come on Rich, dont be shy

Not at the mo chaps but i'll get some up soon.....