Center Console Material

[Nitrate]

1981.2000. Is the outer skin on the center console vinyl or some othe type of plastic? RB

[davery]

1981.2000. Is the outer skin on the center console vinyl or some othe type of plastic? RB

To me, it appears to be some sort of plastic skin. There is also foam padding on the inside.

[Nitrate]

Thanks Don. RB

[spidernut]

There were two consoles in 1981. The vinyl interior got the molded plastic-vinyl type console. The leather interior included a console with a sewn cover (far superior in looks and durability in my opinion). Beneath that leather was a stock vinyl molded console.

Here's a close-up of the sewn version:

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/spidern ... e.jpg.html

[Nitrate]

I did not know that. Thanks Spidernut. RB

[Nitrate]

My flame test on a small piece, black smoke, continues to burn out of flame indicates this is ABS plastic not vinyl. Different procedure when changing color with SEM products. RB

[spidernut]

Do you have an original console or an ABS hard plastic reproduction? Just curious because I've never lit my console on fire before.

I've used the SEM on several of the stock soft plastic-vinyl consoles and it stuck wonderfully and lasted for years. I've also used SEM on the sewn covered consoles and it worked perfectly.

However, I have sprayed SEM on the aftermarket hard plastic consoles sold by various vendors and the SEM remained very soft and scratched off easily. I eventually just removed all the SEM paint and went back to the original black plastic. I have one hard black plastic console that was painted with a matching spray paint and it is holding up well.

[azruss]

looking at the underside of the dash or console. It will tell you if you have hard plastic or foam. If it is foam, then you have a high density urethane foam on the surface and a medium density urethane foam for the core.

[Nitrate]

1981. 2000. I have the original center console, with the foam underneath. I took a small piece off the outer skin where there was some damage to do the flame test. It produced black smoke and continued to burn when it was taken out of the flame. SEM site instructs you to test an inconspicuous spot with a drop of acetone. If the spot gets sticky, which it did, you use a certain type of adhesion promotor. If it does not get sticky a different type of adhesion promotor is recomended. If the paint did not adhere well on the hard plastic aftermarket center console you probably needed the adhesion promotor. There full prep and application videos on the SEM site. Thanks for all the feedback. RB

[azruss]

I painted my 80 arm rests using the SEM system with fabulous results. My kid drove the car for the first time the other day and asked if the arm rests were new. Was shocked that they were repainted originals.

[Nitrate]

Azruss, Did you use an SEM adhesion promotor prior to your color coat? Thanks RB.

[azruss]

I used SEM 38353 Plastic and Leather prep. Paint was SEM marine engine paint (for plastic engine cowlings) M25513 Mercury phantom black. Been on their nearly 4 years. car is garaged and covered. when its out, it sees plenty of sun (no top ). no fade, chauking, peeling, rubbing off. Never comes off on clothes or sweaty arms. Looks as good as the day i put it on.