Has anyone "clear coated" their burlwood console to bring back the shine?
My console is about a 8 in condition, really really nice looking, but the burlwood is not as bright as I have seen in some pictures. Whats a good way to clean it and brighten it up?
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.
Isnt the original metal with a thin coat of vinyl or something...? mine is quite faded , since its a convertible...I also use Armorall sometimes ,but it goes away...I`d like to get a clear coat also, but maybe with a slight brown in it to darken it up some...esp. since the cover for the 67 ashtray at the back was missing and I got a very nice one from FirebirdBill a few years back, so you see what it is supposed to look like
I'm pretty happy as mentioned before with my applique. 2 years now in a convertible and looks as good as the day I did it. Even on corner that I thought might peel away after time is holding tite..altho I just last month put a dab of clear nail polish to "seal it"
IF you decide to use the applique, and have armour all'd it, use some silicone polish remover and clean it about 5 times!
Sounds like Dave may be one of the few where the applique may have worked. Personally I have yet to see a console that was covered with one of these that would be even close to acceptable IMO. I've seen a few of them at the Old Town Cruise in Kissemme, FL and they looked very poor overall quality. Could be the way in which they were applied...
I have yet to see a console that was covered with one of these that would be even close to acceptable IMO.
I agree, Mine is the metal, and like you said looks real good after hitting it with a cleaner or armorall, then five minutes later...dull!
I searched some old posts and thought Vicki mentioned she was going to try and clear hers before going with the overlay...hoping to here her sound off on it. Mine is to nice and original to overlay, just want to brighten it up.
Could well be there is substandard material being used in some kits. I also made sure the surface was clean and smooth, used a curling iron to "wipe" the edges where it was wrapped to help it wrap, and touched the corners with a dab of clear nail polish to seal it (altho it went two years without any delamination, just did it for added protection). This is the only pic I have here at the office, and it's from when I was putting the car together, but it looks perfect still. I have since done my center radio piece to match, altho the layman would not notice.
Make sure you get a GOOD quality clear. Some will yellow after a short time...and use that polish remover at least 3-5 times first, or you will get major fish eye.
Last edited by Dave's White Rock '68 Droptop; 04/07/0904:14 PM.
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.
I bought a very clean console off ebay in exchange for my first born child. (he still writes occasionally). When I received it, I was disappointed to find it was clear coated. It wasn't bad enough to return it, but it definitely changed the look- way too shiny and dark compared to stock. When I have time, I will try to put a matte finish on it.
Not a great photo but, here's my center dash covered with the applique. Looks much better in person. I'd give it a 9.5
Very happy with it. Its been "stuck" on for over a year. No peeling. I think warming the applique in the sun would ease installation( I did mine in Feb 08) Take your time. It'l' come out well.
I'm a hobbyist. Not a professional. Don't be hatin'!
The top of the console is metal, but it's covered with a thin vinyl layer. When I had my console completely apart, the underside of that piece had some surface rust. I used a wire wheel to clean it off, and where I kept the wheel in one place for too long, the vinyl on top bubbled. If you clear it, use something that will stick to vinyl.
I bought a very clean console off ebay in exchange for my first born child. (he still writes occasionally). When I received it, I was disappointed to find it was clear coated. It wasn't bad enough to return it, but it definitely changed the look- way too shiny and dark compared to stock. When I have time, I will try to put a matte finish on it.
the clear coat comes in gloss, matte, and satin....so that should be easy to change
where does one buy the vinyl applique that is of good quality?
1969 Firebird 350 Coupe, Rust free Texas body, formerly brown, now a TA clone with quality spoiler, latching hood and TA wheel; 1969 GTO Convertible Expresso Brown/Parchment(currently painted red). Both numbers matching. My first love was a Cameo White 67 326 Coupe, bought back in 1983, at the age of 17, for $1,200. Been hooked since on PONTIAC! Working on a 67 400 ragtop for customization-Gulf Turquoise/Parchment/400/4 spd! My winter project!
I subscribe to a mag called street thunder...they had a cool article on HYDROGRAPHIC printing. It has got to be some of the coolest and nicest woodgrains i have seen. On paper at least.
I bought mine from ames. I would give it an 8 out of 10. The only real issue with it was folding the corners. It didn't come out exactly like I had hoped but overall it looks good.
I am checking on the Waldoch dot com this week. I will let you know what they tell me for a price. I have a feeling it will be a lot more than the $19.95 that NPD gets for a vinyl kit, but I bet it would come out STUNNING. The video is very cool. Thanks!
1969 Firebird 350 Coupe, Rust free Texas body, formerly brown, now a TA clone with quality spoiler, latching hood and TA wheel; 1969 GTO Convertible Expresso Brown/Parchment(currently painted red). Both numbers matching. My first love was a Cameo White 67 326 Coupe, bought back in 1983, at the age of 17, for $1,200. Been hooked since on PONTIAC! Working on a 67 400 ragtop for customization-Gulf Turquoise/Parchment/400/4 spd! My winter project!
WRONG, they say 75cents/sf I think. so assuming average 9 inches x 48 inches = 432 sq. in x .75 = $324. I like my vinyl . it was $40 and looks fine, BTW, I warmed up the corners a bit and molded them a bit, then taped them, when they hardened and dried, I added a bit of nail polish to seal the edges. 2.5 years + now and looks great.
Last edited by Dave's White Rock '68 Droptop; 06/18/0908:08 PM.
I looked into this a while back. When I was looking for a wood trim kit for my Odyssey, I noticed some of the suppliers offered custom coatings for woodgrains- There was one burlwood style that was similar to the Pontiac. It was the same price that Dave had mentioned, but they only offered high gloss. I asked for matte and they said no. I decided against it because it just didn't look right- it was way too modern. Since its clear the re-pop houses are never going to make a console, I grit my teeth and bought a clean used one off of epay, for a small fortune.
Off a guy on eBay, haven't got his phone number handy but I have posted it on a few previous threads on burl wood check it out...I was quite happy with the quality. he has the dash too
. it was $40 and looks fine, BTW, I warmed up the corners a bit and molded them a bit, then taped them, when they hardened and dried, I added a bit of nail polish to seal the edges. 2.5 years + now and looks great.
