took a "car tinkering" day off from work today

[kiyakubuke]

haven't started on the center console yet, but I wasn't happy with the clear coat on the smaller trim pieces I practiced on, it was rattle can "automotive" enamel. so I went to the local auto paint supply shop and got some high solids acrylic urethane. much better results. not only looks better, but hard as glass as well.



close up of the door handle trim:



has to dry for 16 hours before I can buff it.

[kiyakubuke]

high res version:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/darrenkitchens/sets/72157643119982073/

[kiyakubuke]

finally finished the center console. truth be told, it would probably have been cheaper just to pay to have it dipped (went through about 3 rolls of film and a lot of paint before getting it right), but I like doing things myself and now I can add "hydro-dipping" to my skills list.

for anyone interested, here is a link to photos and an video with some descriptions:

https://flic.kr/s/aHsjYBgxo8