Celica Forums General Discussion Exterior Why?

I have a Question! Why center console on this first 3 pictures looks nice and on pic 4 it's looks like Crap
Is it just because first guy used the Clear coat and guy on pic #4 did not use it or it's just because the paint they used is different or shitty camera was used to take a pic#4???

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first one looks professionaly done, the other one looks like it could be vinyl, or personally painted. looks like no clear coat too.

First one is looks so nice!
Do you think it is posble to do the same at home ?

Yes, it is.

First, go buy a good quality paint (DuPont is always a good way to go) The other one that I've had wonderful experiences with (correct me, people, if you have other opinions) is Testor's Model Enamel, which is a whole lot cheaper than anything with a DuPont lable on it, and can look just as good.

Next, make sure you prep the surface properly:
1. scuff sand it first with 320 grit sandpaper
2. smooth it with 400 to 800 grit sandpaper
3. clean the surface with isopropyl alcohol or mineral spirits
4. us tack cloth to remove lint and dust particles from the surface (do this right before you paint)

Painting:
1: apply a good primer coat, making sure not to overload the surface with paint so that it runs or sags
2: fill your sink, a bucket, or whatever with water, and wet sand the primer coat with 800 grit sandpaper; allow this to dry then re-tack cloth it
3. spray a thin coat of whatever color your want, don't worry about covering the primer completely with this coat of paint
4. wet sand again, this time with 1000 grit sandpaper
5. spray your final coat of color, this time a little thicker (be careful not to make it so thick that it runs or sags)
6. wet sand again with 1000 grit
7. spray a thin layer of clearcote (gloss or matte. whichever you prefer)
8. wet sand with 1500 grit
9. continue spraying clear cote until you have reached your desired depth of color (each layer of clearcote will deepen the original color)
10. finish by wet sanding with 2000 grit sandpaper
11. use polishing compound (found at automotive and hardware stores) to buff the paint to a high shine

now, sit back and enjoy your professional looking paint job

Sweet Do you have pictures of your center console???
Post it please.

i'll try, i don't have a cam, so it could be difficult

Yes i am thinking about doing this too

hmm...the 4th pix looks like vinyl but the first few pixs are awesome

4th pic is taken at night

It's not the same car (notice the vents)

the paint is different too.