Center Console Change Idea

So buddy found this company. I have no idea what process they do. But it looks neat. Hydrographics And I have my center console off. Here are some prints they can do. They do a lot of camouflage which I'm not interested. But these look pretty cool and I think it might look ok for the center console.

Looks really cool and the price is right - $75 for a console. I like this one: WTP-224-Silver-Carbon-Fiber.jpg

$75 isn't bad at all. I've seen the videos on this process and is very interesting to say the least. Wonder if they have an LV wrap?

The carbon look graphics are cool on some stuff, but I wouldn't do it on a center console as it doesn't look like real carbon fiber at all, especially up close.

My console looked alot like yours.... pretty beat-up. I bought a 2'x5' piece of vinyl wrap and covered it myself... not very hard to do at all, and only cost $35 on ebay. I went with the "3M Brushed Black Metallic" and I think it looks pretty good.... much better than it looked before and you can remove it at any time.

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I agree on the carbon style. I would do a different pattern. If I wanted the carbon look, I'd rather wrap it in 3M Dinoc CF Vinyl wrap(which I was originally planning on doing, now this has me thinking a different route).

I think it would look good. I assume they seal it properly for long-term wear? Please posts pic if you do it.

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You say it is not difficult to do but how do you install the vinyl with out getting any wrinkles? I've considered it for my seat back so my kids don't scratch them up.

If i understand correctly, the vinyl wrap is fairly thick, so the wrinkling shouldnt be an issue. the reason i havent tackled this on my sl600 is because im a stickler for consistency, and would want the pattern to be at the same angle througout everything; and im not sure if im mentally prepared to be so ****...

The vinyl is quite thin but when cold is quite rigid... until you put some heat to it (hair dryer), then it becomes extremely flexible, stretchy and easy to work with. You cut the approximate shape, then start on one end in the middle, working towards the edges. Heat and stretch.... if you get a wrinkle, just lift it off and try again... you can take as long as you want. once you are happy with the fit, you just cut the excess off with an exacto knife and squeege it down.... Remember too, it's really cheap and completely reversible, so don't have to worry about screwing up. took about 45 minutes for me to do the center console and I've never worked with it before.... I'm sure a pro would have done a better job, but I'm happy with it. It would be very easy to do the back of the seats since there's not much contour to it... may not even have to heat it... just lay it on, squeege it out, then cut the edges . Excuse the bad picture quality....

@Scorpa, thanks for the intro to the process. You may give me the guts to go ahead and do it on my seat backs. They're pretty scratched up because I'm tall and I keep on hitting the wind deflector. My golf clubs across the back seat also tend to scuff up the back of the seat. Since my car is speed yellow, this would be a great match, I think, without putting delicate paint on the backs. Should be more durable, I'm thinking.

I agree. I think I will give this a try too.

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Interesting... +1 Me three!

Quick note though.... if your paint is flaking (it was badly on my handbrake..), more small flakes may come off when you peel the vinyl off, but that's common sense really.... if there is no flaking, you can peel it off with no damage, and there is also no residue (that I detected at least). I wiped everything down with 50% Isopropyl alcohol first... also make sure you are not in a dirty environment because little particles that get stuck underneath the vinyl can be a real pain.

And I would say if you are doing anything with a pattern(ie carbon fiber, brushed aluminum, etc), make sure you match up the direction of the pattern.

Good lord. Really?

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I'm trying to figure out which to which point you're being smug about. Is it: The fact that folks want something that looks good and is durable? The fact that this treatment is not made by Porsche? The fact that others see potential utility in this? You're in the 996 forum, not the 991. If you don't like the pattern originally chosen, that's fine. To each their own (I'm not crazy about it either but whatever -- many folks would never choose a speed yellow Porsche). Your other posts seem to offer good info and perspective, as opposed to this comment, so I'm sort of genuinely interested in what you don't agree with here.

This is a pretty cool process and have seen it used on an episode of Wheeler Dealers. There happens to be a shop that specializes in this located about 5 miles from my house. They charge $0.71 per square inch, but this also includes all the prep, base coat paint, final clear coat and buffing. I think this would be a cool process to have some trim parts, etc..updated. As the center console seems to scratch easily, why not? My only concern on the console would be the multiple curves and what they would look like with a pattern applied on top. I say Go for it!

Well I haven't done anything yet other than completely remove the console and buying another console for$80 on eBay. Contemplating on painting it myself. I have Sanders ready.... May contact a local auto interior guy. Nonetheless, I'm gonna have fun.

I painted several of my interior pieces last year with an artic-silver-like colour. I ended up painting the shifter boot horseshoe piece, the radio trim, aluminum guages, and the ashtray replacement part. All looked great for the first few months, but even with a clearcoat the shifter boot horseshoe became quite scratched. The rest still look pretty good except for a few pin-sized bubbles. My guess is that these were due to silicon still on the plastic pieces (or something similar). I have my console out at the moment since I'm installing a new shifter and I wouldn't mind cleaning it up. So if you find a good DIY solution please let us know.

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Well, here I have 2 consoles. I'm going to start sanding the black one. I do want to completely peel off the coating/paint. Then decide... may paint...wrap.. I don't know!

For the adventurous, there are DIY wet transfer printing kits available as well and many videos on YouTube on the process. Here's just one: http://www.mydipkit.com/index.html

Update, Decided to try painting. Only pained 2 side pieces. Here's what I learned. 1. Final product will only look as good as how you prep the console. 2. Unless you know what you're doing, don't use a power sander. 3. That plasti dip surface coating porsche uses is pain in the *** to strip. 4. I used the following sand paper grits. 100 - 800 - 2000 to sand it down. 5. Will it look as good as a brand new factory console? No.. but it will look much better than the way it looked with that sticky and scuffed up dusty look. So I'm spraying 3 coats of primer. Once dried, sanding it again to remove bubbles etc. Then putting 3 coats of paint on it. It actually looks pretty good. Primered. Primer and Paint (Carbon Mist) (the piece behind the cans is finished)

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You are right, apologies. I'd stick to paint/clear coat, leather, real carbon.

@Tarzancoe: No worries. I was genuinely curious as I'm facing the same thing with my seat rear's. So far, I'm thinking that the paint/clear (re: recent post) is very difficult and not that durable. I'm thinking the wrap is probably the best combination of durability, and ease -- forget about cost.

With a non glossy wrap at least I don't have to worry about my kids scratching up the seat backs. CF or other pattern wraps should hide any scratches even better. Painted seat backs look good too but just won't work in my situation.

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You do realize they make a special paint and primer for vinyl trim pieces? The primer is specially formulated to adhere to vinyl. I used it to repaint all the exterior plastic on my 2000 F-150.

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SEM is one of the better choices and the ones professionals use often. I learned my lesson a long time ago with Rustoleum and will never use it again for these kinds of things.

Here it is. Carbon Mist - dark console with Silver Forged Hammer finish. Deleted the ashtray. Also removed the handbrake and painted it. Pretty easy overall. No more sticky stuff on the Center Console. And I have an extra console... might try different colors. Also, you can see the Lloyd RubberTite floor mats.

And goodness gracious... Lloyd Rubbertite + New Paint smell in the car make for some unpleasant odor.