Unofficial Center Console Thread - Lthr, CF, Painted

[2m6mc2]

Here are some pics of my center and A/C surround done in leather by the same trim shop as Flyguyskt's. The center and the surround cost $155. Far cheaper and just as good as Lotus trim and I only waited a couple of weeks. As far as not being factory, is lotus going to warranty the ones from the trim shop?
I painted the cup holder black and like Flyguyskt noted it just melts into the background the way it's supposed to. Carbon fiber is nice but it costs too much to have someone scuff it and the same with painting it. The painting and carbon looks very custom but I don't trust all of my passengers to take the extra precaution it requires. To defend Flyguyskt on the alcantara, I barely noticed that the Exige S I drove even had it. Why did lotus use it as an accent instead of making the door panels and seats out of it as a package? Besides, his is an '05 like mine, not an Exige, so it wouldn't have matched, right? Also, we live at least 300 miles from the nearest dealer so we can't window shop as often as some of you.

[jkolb]

It may just be coincidence, but the alcantra on the door is right where my foot hits as I do my exit exercise. Probably a coincidence 'cause if this was by design, why couldn't they design out some of the rattles?

Jerry

[Phantom]

I used a can of Krylon Fusion paint between sandings- I highly recommend the Fusion paint for DIY'ers-

I love the way it turned out!

[Chris Mackey]

Mine came from the dealership painted. I'd consider leather, too, but I don't have any other leather in the car.

[Ruchmate]

Originally Posted by Phantom

I used a can of Krylon Fusion paint between sandings- I highly recommend the Fusion paint for DIY'ers-

I love the way it turned out!

Attachment 65299

looks awesome

did you use a clear coat in the end?

[cdn_alien]

For those of you that have the leather console, did you do the work yourself? Is it easy, and did it come with instructions? I assume the leather is glued on the plastic console?

I just ordered the black leather with biscuit stitching, and was wondering if I should have the dealer install it for me.

[lotusforsale]

Originally Posted by cdn_alien

For those of you that have the leather console, did you do the work yourself? Is it easy, and did it come with instructions? I assume the leather is glued on the plastic console?

I just ordered the black leather with biscuit stitching, and was wondering if I should have the dealer install it for me.

Do you mean install the leather onto the console, or install the leather covered console?

Taking out and installing the console is no big deal. There can be a few frustrating moments, but it's not a terribly big or difficult job.

[shay2nak]

Originally Posted by Mrd06

MY paint seems hard as nails so no problems,

I used Hycote paint.

the numbers in the gear knob I used the lotus paint stick as my car is black, was heavy handed and just chiped the excess on with my thumb nail :-)

did you do any prep work (ie sanding, etc)? Or you just cleaned it a sprayed it down?
thanks!

[cdn_alien]

Originally Posted by lotusforsale

Do you mean install the leather onto the console, or install the leather covered console?

Taking out and installing the console is no big deal. There can be a few frustrating moments, but it's not a terribly big or difficult job.

Both. I assume you need to remove the console before installing the leather and then replace it. Is that correct? Can you elaborate on hickups I might encounter? Are there instructions that come with the leather on how to attach it to the console?

[dalepearson]

Hiya guys, I am a UK Lotus Elise S2 Tourer owner.
I decided to join the painted center console club this weekend, and also added an alu gaitor and new gear knob.

Hope you like the results, I am more than happy.



Apologies about the size, I thought it would automatically resize.

[Vampyre]

^^ Nice!

[toedrag]

Also added the Leather E-Brake Boot. I like it.

$50 worth of supplies (not including cost of e-brake boot):
-aerosol Paint from automotivetouchup.com
-Sandpaper from autozone

1 can Primer, 1 can B120 Paint, and 1 can of clear covered the Console, AC Surround, and Cupholder housing with about 3-5 light coats of each layer. Roughly 4 hours of work over about 3 days.

Made a paint booth in 5 min out of plastic and my ZipWall poles. These things rock, and I find new uses for them all the time.

I'm pleased with the results. Moving onto Engine covers next.

Thanks again to the LT community. The various painting threads here helped tremendously.

[mrcarcrazy]

Looks killer! good work!

Originally Posted by toedrag

Also added the Leather E-Brake Boot. I like it.

$50 worth of supplies (not including cost of e-brake boot):
-aerosol Paint from automotivetouchup.com
-Sandpaper from autozone

1 can Primer, 1 can B120 Paint, and 1 can of clear covered the Console, AC Surround, and Cupholder housing with about 3-5 light coats of each layer. Roughly 4 hours of work over about 3 days.

Made a paint booth in 5 min out of plastic and my ZipWall poles. These things rock, and I find new uses for them all the time.

I'm pleased with the results. Moving onto Engine covers next.

Thanks again to the LT community. The various painting threads here helped tremendously.

[MikeinAlexandria]

Very nice. You all are slowly convincing me that a painted console and AC surround might be the way to go. Where did you get the matching paint? Also, where do the hand brake boots come from? Is that something dealers carry in stock?

Originally Posted by toedrag

Also added the Leather E-Brake Boot. I like it.

$50 worth of supplies (not including cost of e-brake boot):
-aerosol Paint from automotivetouchup.com
-Sandpaper from autozone

1 can Primer, 1 can B120 Paint, and 1 can of clear covered the Console, AC Surround, and Cupholder housing with about 3-5 light coats of each layer. Roughly 4 hours of work over about 3 days.

Made a paint booth in 5 min out of plastic and my ZipWall poles. These things rock, and I find new uses for them all the time.

I'm pleased with the results. Moving onto Engine covers next.

Thanks again to the LT community. The various painting threads here helped tremendously.

[MikeinAlexandria]

So, looking at all these threads gives me some ideas. Wanted to see what people thought...

- Paint the center console and AC Surround in Racing Green to match exterior of body, gaiters in perforated black leather with either biscuit or Racing Green stitching

- Get a leather console in Biscuit leather with black stitching, AC surround in Biscuit leather, Gaitors in Biscuit with black stitching

- Leather console in Black leather with black or biscuit stitching, matching gators and AC surround.

All would be similar in cost. What would look better, and of course, unique?

[toedrag]

Originally Posted by MikeinAlexandria

Very nice. You all are slowly convincing me that a painted console and AC surround might be the way to go. Where did you get the matching paint? Also, where do the hand brake boots come from? Is that something dealers carry in stock?

thx mrcar and Mike.

I ordered paint from Automotivetouchup.com Touch Up Paint, Aerosol Spray Paint and Paint Touch Up Accessories. Others have had local automotive paint shops mix up the paint. You just need to know your factory paint code

Matching boot came from Lotus Garage:
E-Brake Boot - A120V0172J

[breinhar]

I just ordered everything from there for canyon red. You dont need to know your paint code just its name. You select your make, year, model and then I selected canyon red. I also ordered red primer, clear coat, and a sand paper pack of 5 peices from 300 grit to 1500 grit. All this was 49.xx shipped.

I hope mine turns out like yours toedrag.

Originally Posted by toedrag

thx mrcar and Mike.

I ordered paint from Automotivetouchup.com Touch Up Paint, Aerosol Spray Paint and Paint Touch Up Accessories. Others have had local automotive paint shops mix up the paint. You just need to know your factory paint code

Matching boot came from Lotus Garage:
E-Brake Boot - A120V0172J

[toedrag]

Originally Posted by breinhar

I hope mine turns out like yours toedrag.

Thx for the kind words. After the primer and coat number 2 of the base coat, I was getting worried...I had to keep reminding myself to reserve judgment until the final coat of clear was applied.

Good, luck.

[goldfive]

Here's my design... all painted with commonly available spray paints. The black has a heavy texture which approximates the surface of the door sills.

Unfortunately, the silver paint was extremely prone to blemishes, and I ultimately had to strip all the paint off the console. I plan on having it professionally re-sprayed with automotive paint (in silver) and then adding the black textured paint myself. I am, however, quite happy with how well the design goes with the standard interior.

[doug_porsche]

dalepearson, Like the speaker location! Is that standard in the UK?

goldfive I love the two tone!