My centre console is a little worse for wear so fancy refurbing/painting it to improve it slightly.

What's the best way to rub it down/prep it to remove or cover deep scratches before paint?

Also I've covered it in silicone previously so that'll all need to come off.

Help appreciated.

No one done this ever?

Take it out and try to get rid of the silicone and degrease it, etc.

The main problem is trying to get rid of the rubbery protective gunk that's on it.

From what I remember, I started with 240 grit paper, then worked up to 1200/1500 wet and dry.

The 240 should get rid of the deep scratches, but if it doesn't, then drop grades until it does and when it does, then go back up the grades to get it smooth again.

There is a "how to" guide for both 20v and 16v consoles on here.

I have recently done mine by following the instructions and metho is the easiest to remove the rubber coating.

I even removed the sides off my console by drilling out a few pop riverts and taking off the circular spring clips on the underside. These are easily replaced with a short length of copper pipe, or a long socket, as a press.

On the 16v console the wiring harness can be disconnected under the dash at a large plug so that it comes out and goes back in with all swithes etc in the console.

I used a quality bumper, trim and roof paint to paint it and I'm very happy with the result.

There's another recent thread on this, partly. I just did mine (and the ashtray + surround) and what you need is methanol, steelwool and PATIENCE! And in the end, a good paint shop..

Here is the link for the "How To"

http://www.fiatcoupeclub.org/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=202583#Post202583

"Cleaning the finish off is easy , just use a light methylated spirit (I used what I had around , which was methanol) soaked in a rag and wipe it on."

..what a piece of bullcrap!

It´s so because been sun light exposed for years, the "dark" parts of the console are much difficult to clean even with paint thinner, BUT no impossible
Then sanding, up to 800 is enough I think. Be carefull not to sand down the relief, pay special attention around the heater & clock round holes, and the corners. There is a Motip brand paint for plastics, whiche gives me excellent results, even for exterior parts, mat black. Spray slighty wet layers, not moisty, 5 to 8, leave few mins to dry between each. Using hair driers and fans to accelerate the process is not adviceable, simply slightly hot room is better. Distance 40-50cm. If using the mat paint, there is powder residue over the surface, Moire like, when everything finished and COMPLETELY dry, can clean it with soft sponge under running water, when dries again you´ll see it in its full glory, much better than new.

here's my account

I had a bit of a play with some meths and it went pretty well. My main problem so far is I can;t get the fan speed control knob off to access the screws holding the thing in place.

Do i just jank it, or is it possible that it is being held in place some other way...?

It's a very tight fit: use pliers/mole grips with some apdding to protect the surface of the knob

Thanks, I thought I was doing something wrong as it was so tight, molegrips and protective padding it is then!

I used pliers and man strength lol!

pliers + fan speed knob = lady like strength.

Be a man and use your hands like the rest of us

I swear it was glued on officer!

Plier removal is something I can only dream of mine pops off under hard acceleration

However steel wool and meths works brilliantly, I spent an hour prepping mine this way today and it took the rubber coating off in a very straightforward manner (Contrary to the cloth and meth's which did exactly nothing)

Exactly, steel wool and methanol is the thing.

Handy if like me you have water injection and already have 25 litres of methanol in the garage, but if not...where to get small quantities of methanol, unless you means "meths" or methylated spirits = ethanol + 10% methanol + purple dye

About painting the center console there is other idea Hydrographic printing
for example http://www.forum.fiatcoupe.pl/files/img_3138_1m_132.jpg