I'm currently de-gunking the centre console, the ashtray front, the ashtray surround, the handbrake console and the electric mirror adjustment switch surround.

The rubber on the main centre console came off a treat, but the rest is proving to be a real pain. I think the console rubber came off nicely because it was the most 'gunky'. The rest is still in pretty could condition, although badly scratched.

I've been through all of the how-to guides/ threads but still haven't found that secret that makes it easy. I'm using a rag and methylated spirit but it's really having no effect now. So what did eeryone else use to get it off that made it really easy?

Oh, and I've just had a look at the handbrake gaiter rivets. Anyone else got a top tip besides going down the bleeding shops and getting a dremmel?

Here's a top tip, DON'T USE NITROMORS

I now need a new ashtray and surround.

For reference I used the 'mild' wood version

Right, after a bit more reading I've decided to try a few more products. Looks like putty primer followed by plastikote primer might give the required finish to get a decent base for gloss paint.

Hopefully this will go straight over the rubber coating over the new ashtray & surround, and handbrake console & electric mirror switch.

Anyone else tried this?

Could a mod move this thread to the styling section please, as I'm more likely to get the right audience in there

Done, although for some reason the "moved topic" pointer hasn't appeared in the previous location, so I just hope you find this thread!

Thanks for doing this Stan

I'm still looking for the 'final solution' to easily removing this stuff peeps. I've just read a number of articles about removing rubber coating (from cars/ phones/ mobile homes etc) and seen several people sugegst using bleach and a metallic kitchen scourer.

Wish me luck, cos I'm fresh out at the moment!

Just doing the exact same job at the mo, the best thing I've found so far has been metholated spirts - nothing else has really touched it. Ideally I'm looking at stripping it all off and leaving it plastic.

Good luck, its a grim job!

Are you planning on painting it trappy? If you are, just sand it down. You don't really have to remove the gunk in its entirety. I sanded it down and used filler primer ..followed by several coats of tough paint

If you take your time with it, you'll get a finish that is hard-wearing and looks as good as original if not better.

I found that methylated spirit and a rag was enough to easily strip the centre dash dash, but it won't touch the ashtray front, surround, handbrake console. It seems it's only the real gunky stuff that it strips.

I'm hoping to get it all painted, in fact I had a quote from a bodyshop at the end of PowerItalia's road of £25 all stripped, primer, and piano black glossed!

I'd really rather get it all stripped properly though as if the bodyshop finds that they're having trouble removing it the price will start ramping up or, worse, they might bodge it.

apply a little heat and meth spirits and use a bodyshop stanly blade worked for me but its very time consuming

As Kelv said I just rubbed mine down with sandpaper,no probs.

Has anyone got a link to a picture of a gloss black painted handbrake console? I've been searching for ages and can't find it, but I saw it a few days ago somewhere

I posted my refurb in the styling section, which was satin black.

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff348/AP1_010/Handbrakesurround045.jpg

Well it's back from the body shop and I've finally got the centre console, ashtray and ashtray surround section in. Was going to wait until until it was all done, but I have a feeling it'll be a while yet so thought I post a few pics up









I needs tidying up as I've scratched the tops of the ashtray surround fitting it, and somehow manaed to get a 'super glue finger print' on the front (bottom left of the temperature 'lo' setting for the keen-eyed but I'm more than happy so far.

Should look very tidy indeed when the new gear knob and handbrake section is fitted

Same as mine mate,very nice.Fingerprints and dust galore tho.

I need to sort my handbrake console now