Sport Design Interior Paint

[Homeboy981]

Originally Posted by BrokenLinkage

Homeboy thanks.Linklaw and I are probably looking for the same paint. I don't have pics but the part I'm describing was an option in certain trim packages, possibly "sport design". At the base of the leather shift boot is a silver painted (?aluminum look) horseshoe-shaped piece of plastic glued to the leather where it meets the center console, which piece may be also plastic welded through the leather to the similar piece of plastic on the Inside of the leather boot. The latter piece on the inside is common to all our shifters, since it has the prongs that hold the shift boot to the console. On my outer piece, the silver paint is bubbling loose. Seems to be a common malady for this part, which I do not believe is available separately. I need to know what paint is best match, and how to prep & apply without damaging or bleeding paint onto the attached leather. I don't think I can remove it from the boot intact. Again, thanks to anyone who can help.

Hi Linkage,
It CAN be done! That is the good news. Since you are working so close to the leather you may need to "coat" the leather with a light oil (or Lexol might work). So that IF you DO spray it, no problemo. After that I would take great care to ensure plenty of tape is used and work the project under SOME HEAT, if possible, SO THE PAINT DRIES QUICKER. Either a hot day (should not be a problem finding one of those-too hot to put the top down) OR use a drop light heat lamp (make sure to turn it OFF while spraying-don't want to read about you on the news "Porsche owner sprays car and then the neighborhood".

Take it slow. Use LIGHT COATS! First coat SHOULD LOOK LIKE CR@P!

Good luck! Let us know how it goes and post some pics too!

[speedyturtle]

Any tips for painting the console and how to remove the textured/rubber finish that's on all of the interior parts (door pocket flaps and the console) so that I get a smooth result?

[Leeper]

Put the smaller parts in your dishwasher, the heat/steam will loosen the paint, then use finer steel wool. Works like a charm. For my Black interior paint I used spray cans but had to alternate between satin and flat to get the desired and matching finish.

I tried using the Chrome paint - it looked great for a short time then didn't wear well at all so I'll give the silver a try next.

[Homeboy981]

Originally Posted by speedyturtle

Any tips for painting the console and how to remove the textured/rubber finish that's on all of the interior parts (door pocket flaps and the console) so that I get a smooth result?

Hi SpeedyTurtle (nice name),

By "pocket flaps" do you mean the armrests on the door? If so, they are easily removed by taking a toothpick and "forcing" the metal pin out on BOTH hinges. Careful handling the piece as it has these cumbersome little "eye rivet thingys". Hard to explain easy to see when you pull it off - they will fall out. No harm done. Just make sure you find them all!

As far as the rubberized texture….Leeper has a "clean" idea about putting in the dishwasher. My wife has been very patient with my Porsche works but putting something like that in her dishwasher would land me in hot water! Maybe you could do that, wife permitting, and then take sandpaper and remove the rest. You want to use 3 progressively finer grades of sand paper, and "wet sanding" techniques, in other words….soak the sandpaper for 15 mins (use 110, 220, 400 grits for most plastic items), then a dab of soap helps it to slide well. Use enough water so the piece does not dry. The final step BEFORE painting is to use rubbing alcohol to remove all grease. I tried to omit this step and had to re-sand and repeat. Never did that again!

Learn from our mistakes and you will have a great project….just do not be afraid to take your time! Good Luck!