How would you go about restoring a center console?

[Chillin014]

Okay here's what I've got going on now. I used some epoxy "plastic weld" to hold the top piece in place but ultimately decided to use a heat gun and pop rivet the two pieces together (not shown in these pics). I figure the pop rivets will probably be covered anyway. Also some in-car shots.

I'm thinking I could add two cup holders side-by-side right in front of the arm rest (like you did, 454). The shifter doesnt use but maybe 1/4 of that open area. What I'm not sure of right now is what to use to fill some gaps around where I joined the two consoles. Is fiberglass appropriate for that type of thing? Would body filler crack?

 

[454muscle]

I'm not the guy who can really advise you on bondo and fiberglass as far as on a center console is concerned... I do know that body filler sticks to plastic, provided any paint is taken off first, and it's strong so I don't see why it can't be used to cover up the seam you mentioned. I'd PM Blake442 to ask why he said not to use body filler though, he seems to know more.

I have seen a few guys do it and write up tutorials on their work.

1. http://www.350z-tech.com/zwiki/Tutorial ... Fiberglass (example of basic fiberglass, sanding, shaping, etc)
2. http://www.clubcivic.com/board/showthread.php?t=100475 (this guy built a fiberglass console from scratch)
3. http://www.fiberglassforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=13 (this place can answer your question more directly too... you need to register though)

 

[Chillin014]

Yeah I think I'm going to go ahead and try the filler after looking at your links. Just got back from vacation so time to get back to working on something.

 

[pontiacgp]

You can get rid of the column shifter arm by just removing the pin it's installed with....

 

[axisg]

what you have looks nice. I would think bondo would crack as there is no structure to it. Perhaps short strand fibreglass would cover the seam a little better. Just a thought but it has been discussed earlier to use a centre console out of a Dodge Neon. They seem to fit well and come with the shifter boot to complete the package.

 

[454muscle]

By the way I noticed you have something that looks like screws or bolts holding the top and bottom together. I'd suggest you pick up a rivet gun from your local hardware store. It's not expensive and would give your console some strength. They also would not protrude out so much so when you do overlay them, it would look more seamless.

 

[youngdeezy]

ive done console work myself, just go for it

 

[youngdeezy]

i did a wood 1 as well this was my 1st console ever and it wasnt too bad. now that im getting better i'll do another 1, one these days. it has 2 cup holders and a ashtray and compartment to store things on the bottom end under the radio

 

[Chillin014]

I like that wood one. The black carpet looks classy too, I'm about to buy some of that.

Pontiacgp- Yeah I finally got around to doing that a few days ago, I used to think the steering wheel was going to get locked or something weird and I'd need it.

454- I replaced those screws with rivets right after I realized the glue wasnt going to hold worth a crap.

 

[Blake442]

When I said not to use body filler before, I meant to not use it to repair the cracked areas, like the ones shown above.
2-part epoxy or fiberglass is the right thing to use there.

Once your damaged areas have been properly repaired, it is perfectly fine to put a thin layer of body filler on to hide the repair.