If your referring to an original burlwood console, I don't beleive they are vinyl covered. They are basically metal. I've thought of doing this exact same thing with the clear coat. When I apply a shine to my console using Armorall or something, it looks SO NICE, then a few minutes later the shine is gone.
Try some Johnson's paste wax, it has some carnauba in it. It makes it nice and slippery to. I wouldn't clear coat.
