Repainting The Centre Console Inserts

[BensXR6T]

Hi All,

Purchased my Phantom '04 XR6 T with 90k on the clock on Tuesday and couldn't be happier. However, after five years as being a Logan City Council Car, the metalic grey inserts were looking a bit drab. So into the local Paint Place here at Burpengary to go through some colout charts to see if we could match the colour.

We found fairly quickly, Ford use ther own paint code 1H/K1. With how thin the paint is on these panels, I wouldn't be suprised if Ford just line them up with the Gunmetal Grey 'coons when the 'bots paint.

Any, I thought I would put a guide up here on how to paint these inserts and the end results.

Firstly, of course, remove the drink holder and trim around the gear lever. To dismantle the cup holder, there are 4 pins (2 each side) of the cover. If you remove the spring on each side, the pins they are connected to will push out quite easily. To get the lid out, gently bend the hinge on one side of the cup holder just enough to move the guide that keeps the door straight. Once you have one this, you can then push the pin out and the pid should slide straight out. Make sure you put the pins and spring in a container as to not lose them. (sorry didn't take pics of these part)

Here is the original condition of my trims as you can see they have had 5 years of abuse from the counselor that owned the car (there was an amazing amount of coca cola under the drink holders) here drinks and such have been spilled and not cleaned up immediately. Sorry pics aren't great as the Mrs took the Camera on holidays with her.

Next use an abrasive pad to rough the surface ready for painting, I used one of these

result after sanding make sure you mask up and clean all parts with prepsol or wax and grease remover before priming

I used this to prime the plastic

Primed and ready for painting (after a light sand, I got a bit heavy on the primer)

After the primer dried, I gave them a light sand with the abrasive pad again and cleaned up with prepsol. ABS can be a royal pain to paint, remember, you will get the best results with lots of thin coats then you will with a thick coat. Don't try to cover the panel with one coat of paint, you WILL get runs. Thin coats approx 5 mins apart worked well for me with a final semi-wet coat as not to get too much shine.

First Coat on the cup holder

Finished result

Pretty good colour match I reckon

I hope this help some guys out. I plan to do the ICC facia and the top of my shift nob. Can anyone tell me how to get the trim off the nob? I can get it to unclip at the bottom, but it won't let go at the top. Is there a screw inside the shifter nob?

Cheers,

Ben

[wados]

looks good mate, I did this a while ago and I did the icc and the spears all in piano black, came out really nice alot better than the grey.You should do the spears aswell so it all matches I got some pics some where I will post them up

Edited 15/01/09 05:31 AM by wados

[BensXR6T]

Thanks Mate, was thinkin about doing the spears, as they are lookin a bit worn as well. Only good thing about buying an ex-gov't car is the impecible service history, shame they don't look after the interior as well.

Thinkg about doing the spears and the gear knob insert in Phantom to match the car, still undecided... don't want it too out there.

Only prob with painting the ICC facia is you lose the tune/track and vol/power decals.. but not a biggie I spose.

[wados]

I didnt worry about the tune and track label, its also easy to get the aircon stickers of just take it nice and slow

[BensXR6T]

Nice Job Wados, looks hot!! I'll shoot up some more pics later on when I have painted the light grey bits in Phantom.

Off topic, I see you have had your car tuned, where in Bris did you go and do you recommend them? Had the T for 2 days and already bored with the stock power.

[smicky]

nice job to you both boyz!

I remember when I first got the F6, da gurly turns to the dealer and one of the very first things she says was - "can we change the silver bits around the stereo to black"....

we laughed and said yep... but I dont think we will... (considered buying the black surround from the fairlane... never did but)...

Looks sexy!!!! now im reconsidering it again!

DAM YOU!

[wados]

thanks smicky,

ben I got my car tuned at RDP and I also get it serviced there aswell there a few boys who got there car tuned there aswell, im from the northside like you and just find it easy there are a few other tuners in brisbane with good names, the other one is elite but he is at archerfield.

[PSIFRK]

looks good mate

here is what I've done.

[XF Falcon]

Pretty cool custom gauge pod mate, you do that all yourself?

That does look great in black though. Is it a paint to keep it dust free?

[typhoon_freak]

that black colour job is f*&kin awsome.. mite do mine