billybunters - from a bmw z4 to a mx5 se

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Tue Oct 11, 2011 4:53 pm

today's project - the centre console. as for the painting proceedure just follow the previous steps. i purchased a new can of the 3M vinyl paint. first off - no problems spraying the console. therefore my conclusion is the original can had a faulty nozzle.
once you turn the console upside down there's about a dozen screws to remove. the gear shifter housing is plastic and just clips apart

couldn't figure out how to remove the centre armrest - so just masked it up

end results after 3 hours. about 5 or 6 coats. say 20 to 30 minures between the coats

these are two of the interior areas i will attack tomorrow.

only painting this upright section of the console- glove box excluded

Bizi · Postby **Bizi** » Tue Oct 11, 2011 5:12 pm

You're really going to town on the theme!

Will you paint just the handbrake cover (NOT the handbrake handle) or both?
I don't recall seeing this kind of mass coordination before - is it based on any inspirational interior or are you just thinking of doing all the major bits?

I have a prediction on the next piece after this, too.

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Tue Oct 11, 2011 5:43 pm

no just the cover. i got the door trim ideas from lokiel and mines the console handbrake/part dash cover. i'm just trying to jazz up a totally white car with a colourful interior. mind you if i don't like it when completed - a colour change again :roll:

after the interior the b/d roll bar install. it's been laying there for 6 months

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Tue Oct 11, 2011 6:31 pm

bit of progress

Bizi · Postby **Bizi** » Tue Oct 11, 2011 7:24 pm

When you are done, you can hire your car out to footy teams with red/white uniforms, for their receptions/street parades!

The car looks great in white. :MOCHA_LES:

Remind me if you car has a red lighting theme on the instruments...another DIY when you get the inclination?

Last of all. If anyone was REALLY (reaaaallly) bored, I wonder if it's practical to recolour a vinyl roof entirely? I suspect not, for many reasons, but at the rate you are going, I have to ask!

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Tue Oct 11, 2011 7:50 pm

hi bizi

been a while-not sure what colour is the instrument light. never thought about the vinyl roof - good on ya :beer:

i won't write that idea off at all.........thanks
was planing on fitting the b/d roll bar. i had to pull these out to get to the anchor points and there a bit on the shabby side.
bit of paint for them tomorrow.............lets see RED!

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 6:17 am

This has been an epic article and one of the best DIYs I've seen. Looking forward to seeing the final product...I think it will be awesome. :beer:

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 10:20 am

jbt
personally - i wish this project was over. but there's still so much to do/complete i've got to keep on :roll:

going

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 1:56 pm

Rather than paint the handbrake cover, consider replacing it with a leather gaiter like this: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MAZDA-MX5-MX-5-SET-GAITERS-NEW-LEATHER-RED-BLACK-/280410753635?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4149c88a63#ht_884wt_1396

I bought the gaiter pair in grey and black but didn't think the gear gaiter looked right so just used the handbrake gaiter. I removed the plastic handbrake fascia completely, lined the leather gaiter with foam liner, and slid it over top. I haven't taken any closeups yet but you can see it here:

You can ask them to make it in red with a black strip if you want and just order the handbrake gaiter seperately. IMO, the leather looks MUCH better than the plastic fascia.

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 2:07 pm

JBT wrote:This has been an epic article and one of the best DIYs I've seen. Looking forward to seeing the final product...I think it will be awesome.

I must admit, and I've told Graham this, like many people here, I thought he'd "lost his marbles" deciding to re-paint a perfectly good car but it has been a great journey so far and it is looking good.

I bought 1red5's->sailaholic's rear decklid which is in need of repainting and this thread has inspired me and provided me with enough tips to attempt to do it myself - if Graham can do a whole bloody car, I should be able to paint a decklid that comes in 3 pieces!

This is the sort of stuff that we need more of!

As far as "wishing it was over" Graham, just keep thinking "The longer the jourey, the greater the reward!".

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 2:19 pm

hi lokiel
always open to ideas - and the gator was a good one. just bought it. the 3 pieces for you rear deck - as a 3 piece and easy run with the spray can.
at the moment fitting the b/d roll bar - bit of fooling around work with this one.
thanks again for the gator thread :beer:

BadBong · Postby **BadBong** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 2:31 pm

Alert... I sense a potential style clash!!! :lol:

Great job mate, looking forward to what the underdash would look like in red as well (yes, same ideas here).

Any chance I can come and see it in person once you've finished? :mrgreen: