Hey guys as I am waiting to get a welder to fix my control arm (ripped from the frame) I decided I would resto the 65 console i purchased 4 months ago. The plastic at the back of the console was cracked and a piece broke off ( I have it). I was wondering the best way to fix this and make sure there are no visible cracks and then paint the plastic portion of the console. Your help, as always, is appreciated. Scott
Re: 67 buick wildcat console repair and resto Yes. I did however make a mistake it is a 67 console. It looks like these pictures except not as nice yet. I have a couple of cracks that I need to repair and i want to use the right thing to repair and repaint the console base but with what?
That is the same as the '65. The hood above the tach is what is most often cracked on these. When the chrome is mounted back into the console you can create some strong pressure wedging it back in there. Be careful or you'll be fixing two cracks. I repaired mine by fiberglassing from the inside, then filling with body putty from the outside to create the smooth surface. Let the putty dry. Use multiple grades of sand paper (start with high) eventually working to wet sanding. Some may laugh at this but the closer I got it to being smooth I would wet the repair area, close my eyes, and run my finger over it to feel where the high spots still needed work. You'll see the crack outline because it will be filled with colored putty and that made it difficult to tell if it was actually smooth. I figure if I can't feel it with my eyes closed it won't show through the paint. Once you get it smooth mist it with primer and paint it with a good auto spray paint. Spray the paint on thick enough to to be smooth but not enough to run. You'll probably need multiple layer of paint because you'll be sanding some of it back off. There is a fine line here between beauty and runs. Then wet sand, use white polishing compound and finally plastic polish. I probably painted mine three times before I got it right. Be patient, let it dry thouroughly between coats and sanding and it will turn out like new....so much so you'll want to rechrome the metal parts. You can get the fiberglass kit at Home Depot and the rest at a basic auto parts store. I be interested if anyone else has a different approach.
....and be sure not to build up the fiberglass too much from the inside. Be aware of the chrome insert that has to go back in there. Rick
Thank you very much Rick. I have been cleaning and detailing every part as I dismantle it. One of my latches is missing a spring. Any leads on where I may find another? I tried a ballpoint pen spring for form and function only. (knew spring tension wouldn't be great enough) It worked as designed but of course the spring stretched out. Do you have pictures of yours? I would be interested in seeing it. I will post mine once completed. Again thanks. Scott
Here are some pics. My car is still under construction. The console has been in my daughters (away at college) bedroom and it looks like the vaccuum cleaner has gotten to it. I made a black insert, the piece that the shifter goes through that slides back and fourth, out of a black plastic binder cover. Go to the school supply section at Walmart and buy one of the three ring binders with the black flexible plastic cover and cut it to fit. Those are reflections of the tile in the console, not cracks. Thats a drink coaster on the floor to level the console. I have about 4 of these consoles I plan to rebuild and sell....if the economy ever comes back. Rick
Looks good. Any tips on what paint to use on the outside of the console? Did you flock the inside compartments? Oh and were all the latches for yours in good shape? If not did you repair or replace them? And if replaced wheredid you get them from? Just a few questions..... Thanks Scott
I know this thread is old but I'm looking for the chrome bezel housing that the tach sits in, anyone have an extra one sitting around.
