68 center console repaint?

[Joseph C.]

What is the best way to restore the center console and avoid the chrome getting painted? What type of paint works best?

[Patrick H.]

Re: 68 center console repaint?

Here:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...=trim&uid=9705

[Alan S.]

Re: 68 center console repaint?

Hi Joe,
I follow Patrick's advice except that I don't use any tape.
I paint the entire piece, let the paint flash about 5 minutes, and then use the x-acto blade to cut the paint off the raised chrome accents. With a little practice you can get the paint to come off in flexible, long, 'strings'. This method leaves a very nice precise edge between the paint and chrome with no paint build-up.
I've found that the x-acto blades #12 and #17 seem to be the most useful bcause the blade edge is short and therefore doesn't touch the part of the plate you want to remain black if you hold the blade at an angle.
I think the bezel for the wiper/washer on a non-a/c car (the CORVETTE letters) is the most difficult but can be done with a bit of practice.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

[Joseph C.]

Re: 68 center console repaint?

Thks guys, I will be going after it this weekend.

[Tom L.]

Re: 68 center console repaint?

I followed the same basic procedure as is described in the thread referred by Pat H but didn't use the primer or tape off the chrome or letters. Just paint and remove the paint from the chrome with a knife as noted.

One thing I did, that worked well, in addition to the exacto knife was us e a little piece of a fine 3M sanding sponge to blend and even out the transition from paint to chrome. Rubbing gently it did no damage to the very hard chrome finish.

And don't worry about screwing it up, just strip the paint and start over, that's the easy part. Consider the first mistake practice, that's how i made myself feel better.

[Michael D.]

Re: 68 center console repaint?

Lacquer thinner on a rag (old tee shirt material) wrapped around a finger tip also works removing the black from the larger chrome edges. I saved the Exacto knife for the more delicate work.

[Anthony S.]

Re: 68 center console repaint?

Joe,

I used Duplicolor's paint stripper followed with some brake cleaner.

I agree with the other posters, except I taped off the raised outer edges of the plate. It was less to scrape off later.

I painted the plate with the SEM Trim Black 39143, and when it dried, I removed the tape - I scored the paint/tape line before I pulled the tape removal to ensure a nice crisp line.

After that, I used a razor blade to remove the paint from inner borders and letters. After I put on a new cross-flag, shifter plate, and shifter boot, it looked as good as new.

Anthony