Clean Black Console, Paint it with SEM Color Coat Process, or BOTH?

[MoparCarGuy]

My 70 black console is original and has a very, faint appearance of what appears to possibly be dark red primer overspray. The console lid is much better.
Pictures show the problem pretty well. Nobody has ever commented on it but I see it so I want to make it look the best it can.

I searched the forum but do not see any info on cleaning the console or any how-to info on spraying it with the SEM Color Coat process. Looking for options.
I also need confirmation that the console is made of ABS plastic so I can consider how to go about restoring it.

My questions...
1. What product would be best to clean the console and remove the dark red tinge? I would expect to start with just soap/water and move to something more aggressive but need ideas.
2. If cleaning does not get rid of the problem, what are your thoughts on spraying the entire console and lid? Durable? Worth the effort?

 

[MoparCarGuy]

Found this info on the Interwebs...

Cleaning ABS Plastic​

• Use mild soap and water to wipe down ABS plastic surfaces. Avoid harsh chemicals that could interact with the material.
• For tough grease or grime buildup, isopropyl alcohol effectively cleans ABS without risk of damage.

Anyone used alcohol to clean E-Body trim parts like a console?

 

[Steve340]

I believe I have seen that red tinge in my console also. I think that it is a colour "coming" out in the make-up of the plastic.
I would not use a solvent in case it goes wrong.
A gentle wash then a good quality plastic protectant.
Don't fix what ain't broken.

 

[floyd]

I’d probably leave that alone as well. However, if you’re sure it’s overspray, full strength EasyOff oven cleaner is usually safe to use for removing paint on plastic and rubber. I would test it on a small area on the underside first.

I think you’ll have to do the whole console if you decide to go the SEM Landau Black route. I haven’t used it on a console but my 70 Challenger dash pad came out fantastic with the SEM stuff. Sorry, I can’t offer any best techniques for spraying it since I had a local shop do it.

 

[mrmopar340]

Sand free primer works excellent for adhesion on plastic when you are redoing panels and consoles. I did my car that way 15 years ago with those little prevail sprayers and it worked really well. I went to James T. Davis paint store and got everything I needed there. They mixed the paint for me as well.

 

[heminut]

I did the door panels in my Cuda about 20 years ago and they still look great, no peeling or fading. I thoroughly scrubbed them with Simple Green and water and rinsed really good. When they were totally dry I sprayed them with SEM Adhesion Promoter;

Sand Free Adhesion Promoter | 38363 | SEM Products

Sand Free Adhesion Promoter is a unique wet-on-wet adhesion promoter for certain plastics.

semproducts.com

and then sprayed with SEM Vinyl Color in the spray can.

 

[mrmopar340]

I did the door panels in my Cuda about 20 years ago and they still look great, no peeling or fading. I thoroughly scrubbed them with Simple Green and water and rinsed really good. When they were totally dry I sprayed them with SEM Adhesion Promoter;

Sand Free Adhesion Promoter | 38363 | SEM Products

Sand Free Adhesion Promoter is a unique wet-on-wet adhesion promoter for certain plastics.

semproducts.com

and then sprayed with SEM Vinyl Color in the spray can.

That's what it was. I think I had the name wrong. It's excellent.

 

[MoparCarGuy]

I believe I have seen that red tinge in my console also. I think that it is a colour "coming" out in the make-up of the plastic.
I would not use a solvent in case it goes wrong.
A gentle wash then a good quality plastic protectant.
Don't fix what ain't broken.

I am going to try a good cleaning with a small fingernail brush and Dawn dishwashing liquid. If that does not do it, then moving to test out Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA). Will test in an inconspicuous area first. I will let everyone know the results when I finally take out the console to do this.
I am modifying the AUTO console to a 4-Speed console and installing a TKX 5-Speed so the console has to get out of the way.

 

[don selleck]

I did the door panels in my Cuda about 20 years ago and they still look great, no peeling or fading. I thoroughly scrubbed them with Simple Green and water and rinsed really good. When they were totally dry I sprayed them with SEM Adhesion Promoter;

http://[URL]https://semproducts.com/product/sand-free-adhesion-promoter/38363

[/URL]

and then sprayed with SEM Vinyl Color in the spray can.

2nd that, used it on a 68 charger dash pads. look brand new.

 

[sixpactogo]

Like Heminut in post 6, I used the SEM products and they still look like new after 20 years. Mine were black so I used the SEM Vinyl Prep and cleaner & Landau black. There is nothing out there that is better IMO.

 

[carlambecrombe]

I did the door panels in my Cuda about 20 years ago and they still look great, no peeling or fading. I thoroughly scrubbed them with Simple Green and water and rinsed really good. When they were totally dry I sprayed them with SEM Adhesion Promoter;

Sand Free Adhesion Promoter | 38363 | SEM Products

Sand Free Adhesion Promoter is a unique wet-on-wet adhesion promoter for certain plastics.

semproducts.com

and then sprayed with SEM Vinyl Color in the spray can.

Hi Heminut: I find your post quite interesting. My original 73' Challenger Rallye plastic door panels are pretty grim. Do you have any suggestions on how to repair small dings prior to painting the panels?

 

[heminut]

Hi Heminut: I find your post quite interesting. My original 73' Challenger Rallye plastic door panels are pretty grim. Do you have any suggestions on how to repair small dings prior to painting the panels?

Sorry but I don't have any experience in repairing dings. The back panels from my bucket seats had a few minor gouges and the only thing I did was clean them up so there were no ragged edges and painted them that way.

 

[moparleo]

I would recommend cotacting Herb's parts and ask them.
They sell a very good line of plastic interior dies for Mopars and will know what works without damage to your parts.
Herb's Parts - Mopar Restoration and Performance

 

[MoparCarGuy]

Follow-up: I removed the console and modified it to 4-speed (used a cutout template). I then used Isopropyl Alcohol (hand sanitizer gel) with a small fingernail brush to remove the red tinge. Turned out great. I will post additional pics once it is reassembled and ready for installation.

 

[MoparCarGuy]

Assembled the console (1970-only) this afternoon and mocked it up.