I plan on trying to finds a Exploder full length center console soon and my luck the only ones in good shape will be the wrong color. What are the step taken to paint one and make it last? What kind of prep work do you do and what brand of paint works best? I just want to do this right and not have to take it out cause the summer heat causing the paint to peel.

 

I painted mine from grey to black. Clean it, spray it with adhesion promoter and then spray the paint on. Light coats are the key so it doesn't run. Then clear coat, matte or gloss depending on what finish you want. I used all Duplicolor products for mine. Recovering the lid is really easy too

 

I have one for sale.

 

me too :)

 

I'm in the process of doing my whole interior black, I am not done yet but it all takes time and patients. Items I have used:

Duplicolor Adhesion Promoter
Duplicolor Vinyl Interior Paint
Duplicolor Clear Coat
Accetone for cleaning and getting the paint, grim off of the surface

I used accetone for cleaning all the parts that will be painted. Then put one good coat of adhesion promoter. This works a lot better then a primer base. The more coats of adhesion promoter the more runny the paint will be. So one coat will be enough. I waited it to try for about 15 min. I then I started to add the Vinyl Paint. You need to spray it on evenly and hold the can about 12" away from the surface I did it till there was an even amount then came back 15min later and sprayed on a second coat. I pretty much used one whole can for my explorer full console. I just made sure I got all the areas and made sure nothing was missed. I then let it try for about an hour and then brought it back inside for the paint to cure to the plastic for 24 hours. After that I added the clear coat and did about 3-4 coats of it. After you put the clear coat on it. I would wait one week for it to be totally dry and cured before putting it in the truck and using it. I still have not put mine back in since I am waiting to change out my carpet and spray my dashboard. If you want any pictures I can get you some. I have some pictures in my build thread and it shows how my center console came out and my passenger door panel.

 

yeah and i see why you still have it...80 bucks for an incomplete console...good luck

 

None of yall do any kind of sanding to ruff the surface up?

 

Nope, with adhesion promoter you don't need too.

 

When i did my interior i use a scuff pad. It helped.

 

The accetone does a good job to clean and take off some of the paint but it wouldn't hurt to do so. You might get the same results. And I agree with Trent the adhesion promoter works well and helps the paint adhere better to the plastic surface. Too much adhesion promoter will make the paint drip or run though.

 

Im goin to the JY today to see what I can find...98-01 full lenght is what I need right?

 

Went to the jy and found old broke,missing parts consoles that weren't worth a crap. I tried to piece one together and got everything but the arm rest.

I found a complete one out of a 2000 explorer but when I took it apart it had this wierd plastic bracket and one under the dash,the rear had a bracket with all this computer stuff mounted too it,plus it did not look like it would fit. I have never seen anyone on here with a console like that.

Im goin to look around on ebay and see what they are going for and mabey buy one off a member here if its a good price so if you got a good one let me know.

 

Yea I went to a JY and Peiced one together but That thing would not come out and i just said screw it. tough to find a good one. I have checked on craigslist and found a couple people parting there old explorers and that is my next opition. I would try there.

 

Kevin ,
When I painted all my interior , I sanded it all down enough to rough up plastic I used very fine sand paper 220 Grit . Wiped it all down with tack cloth , and then used acetone to clean it up real good . From there I layed down 3 light coats of adhesion promoter , while it was tack I layed down two light coats of Primer then 3 coats of actual color . I let that fully dry this is the key let it harden for several days befoe you lay down final clear coat then let it all cure for a week and u wont have any probelms .

If you want I can drive over , if you do it on a weekend and help with any of it .

 

I got mine out of a sport. looks a little different but I like it better.

all the computer junk in the rear (heating ducts and all) I took out leaving the controls.

 

When I find one Ill probley hit you up for help...thanks

 

That the same kind of console I found but with the weird brackets I did not think it would work. I like the ones out of the 97-99 explorers.