C2 Console-What a tedious mask job

[Gerard F.]

Didn't realize how long this takes, painting it is the easy part.

Learned my lesson from last time after painting it with trim paint over the chrome finish. Lasted a year until it started chipping. After hours of stripping with lacquer thinner and steel wool, I primed it this time with Dupli-color dark gray sandable primer:



Then had dinner, and hit it with the first finish coat of Dupli-Color Acrylic Enamel, semi-gloss:



This stuff is is supposed to be tough, but it will take a 7 day cure in my hot garage before I give it another shot, or strip it and start all over.

Thought I'd give it a try, tune in next week.

Having fun,

[Jean C.]

Re: C2 Console-What a tedious mask job

Jerry, I have done the console on my '64 twice and you are correct, it takes awhile to do the job correctly. I had to do mine the second time because I dyed the dash pads a year or so after doing the console and the shade of the mix & spray dye I used on the pads did not match the existing console plus all the rattle can dyes I purchased to try and match the existing console color did not work out. Moral of this story is that if you intend on doing any additional painting/dyeing of the interior parts, purchase enough product of the same color/shade/dye lot or whatever at the get go to do the complete job. I wound up using product that I purchased from Al Knoch to do the entire job.

I don't remember what primer I applied to the chrome before applying color but it may have been a self-etching product.

Cheers,

[Joe C.]

Re: C2 Console-What a tedious mask job

Looks nice, Jerry!
Just a few thoughts. I think that no matter what it's painted with, the "problem" is with the mirror finish of the chromed potmetal, and adhesion of the paint. So, it chips easier. You can try a self etching primer first, but some of them might lift your enamel topcoat. A surfacer/primer will do little to add durability..............it's purpose is mainly to build-up thickness for sanding and filling. It's best to use a product that will etch into the substrate. If you can't find a satisfactory product, you'll do just as well by spraying the enamel directly over the chrome.
The color of choice seems to be John Deere Blitz Black, or Krylon Semi Flat Black (no longer available). Doesn't make much diff, though. Just about all "spray bombs" are enamel. Rustoleum does make a "lacquer" rattle can, which I have tried, and works well.
One more thing. Be sure to paint only up to the edge of the patterned area. The trough immediately adjacent to it is left unpainted.

[Arland D.]

Re: C2 Console-What a tedious mask job

Jerry,

Joe makes a good point. The judges noticed the teal paint on the 67 went beyond the textured area into the 'bare' space surrounding it. Regards,

Arland

[Tony S.]

Re: C2 Console-What a tedious mask job

Jerry,

Joe makes a good point. The judges noticed the teal paint on the 67 went beyond the textured area into the 'bare' space surrounding it. Regards,

Arland

No offense intended, but if a judge deducts a point because a tiny little bit of paint gets into that narrow groove between the painted area and the raised chrome area, then that judge is picking fly sh!*t out of pepper. Sorry, but that's ridiculous.

JMHO.
Tony

ps. nice job, Jerry!

[John H.]

Re: C2 Console-What a tedious mask job

The color of choice seems to be John Deere Blitz Black, or Krylon Semi Flat Black (no longer available).

The Krylon #1613 Semi-Flat black is still being produced and is available, but not through the usual retail channels - only the industrial distributors have it. SEM #39143 Trim Black also does a nice job, and is more durable than the Krylon.

The original console plate supplier used a formed sheet metal painting mask, and there was variation depending on who located it on the part, who sprayed it, who cleaned it, and how it was handled.

[Arland D.]

Re: C2 Console-What a tedious mask job

Tony,

Please note that my post indicates the judges noticed it - no need to read more into it. There was no deduction taken.

Arland

[Tony S.]

Re: C2 Console-What a tedious mask job

That's good. Anyone who has taken the time to mask off a console and paint it realizes how difficult it can be.
Thanks.
Tony

[Page C.]

Re: C2 Console-What a tedious mask job

Just complete one for a 1967. 3M makes a "Fine Line Tape" in 1/16 width that fits nicely in the trough where the mask would have gone. Yes Interior Judges do look for this and should take a slight deduction. I used a product call Bulldog Adhesion Promoter on the chrome surface that were to be painted. It's in a rattle can and sprays clear. States that it makes paint stick to vinyl, galvanized metal, plastic, aluminum, fiberglass, and CHROME. Used a couple of light coats, followed by SEM Self Etching Primer (black primer #39673) and finished with Sem Trim Black(39143). Both Sems were lightly coated. Was pleased with the results so far. Time will tell.
Now does anyone know who sells a console shift pattern that has the proper fonts. Most of the repro's I have seen are not even close.
Regards,
Page Campbell

[Jeff A.]

Re: C2 Console-What a tedious mask job

Now does anyone know who sells a console shift pattern that has the proper fonts. Most of the repro's I have seen are not even close.
Regards,
Page Campbell

Page,
I am not aware of anyone who reproduces accurate shift patterns. I was told at one point that Crane had accurate repops. I ordered the kit from them and it was drop shipped from Corvette America. Quite a disappointment (see below). Note the difference in the numerals, finish and size (original is on right). The other pieces in the kit were equally disappointing. Fortunately, I was able to lightly sand out the scratches in my original shift pattern and reuse it. The other pieces required a lot of buffing with fine sandpaper and steel wool to get them looking close to correct.
Regarding the original post, I ended up repainting my console after John H pointed out at one point that the chrome in the groove shouldn't be painted. As if masking it the first time wasn't fun enough . The thin 3M tape sounds like a good approach.
Jeff

[Mike M.]

Re: C2 Console-What a tedious mask job

Page,
no accurate repops have shown up on the Judging field.
If there were, with the way some of these owners chase points, we would have seen them by now.
Maybe I just got luck with the "Groove" on two cars that I bought.
With that paint being so thin and the adhesion so weak, I was able to run my Pentel mechanical drafting pencil through the groove to remove the excess paint. This method did not produce a perfectly staight edge, but, that's OK, that's the way they were originally.
HaND

[Gerard F.]

Re: C2 Console-What a tedious mask job

Mike,

What do you think the toothpicks in the picture are for.

But we will have to see how the grooves come out when I strip the masking. Hope it doesn't chip.

[Mike M.]

Re: C2 Console-What a tedious mask job

For the Sushi?
Right, have used toothpicks as well, however, the graphite in the lead must provide lubricating properties that allow for a neater more efficient result.
Best of Luck
HaND