center consol plastic warped- any tricks out there

[Europa73]

Hi all,

my plastic center consol is very warped up by the gear stick. I dont think it has a straight line anywhere.


Any tricks out there that can be used to get this straight agin?

The only replacement ones I cn find re around the $300 mark - Ugg!

Thanks,

[blasterdad]

I would try using a heat gun to straighten it out...
Just don't get it too hot & melt it, just hot enough to make it "soft". (wear gloves)!

[Europa73]

I was thinking the same thing -

I will give it a go.

Cheers,

[BDA]

The original vinyl tunnel covers were very thin and with heat and age, they tended not to be very dimensionally stable. New ABS versions are available from the usual suspects (Dave Bean, r.d. enterprises, Richard at Banks, etc.) and better in every way.

In the mean time, good luck with the heat gun!

[Europa73]

thanks!

[Gearbox]

I recently went through this route where the shifter cut out seemed to had bubbled up somehow.  I thought it would be an easy fix with a heat gun and making a jig to compress the offending part down.  But no matter how careful I was, the plastic tended to warp and no matter what I did it wouldn't straighten out or look half way presentable.  I ended up just buying a new reproduction off ebay and it was perfect.  Cutting the holes was a bit of a challenge but much easier than trying to straighten out the old console.  Just lay out the holes using painters tape and use a Dremel tool and go slow.  You may have better luck straightening the old one , but a new one would be my call.  Good luck.

 

[buzzer]

I managed to reclaim mine by using epoxy and fibreglass. Polyester resin will not stick to the plastic, but epoxy resin will. I used a jig to hold the console square and used the epoxy and glass fibre to patch up from behind. That gave it enough stability so I could use it.

[andy harwood]

Like others, I tried the heat gun with no luck.  Like Gearbox, the area around the shifter had bowed and would not straighten. I fiberglassed  the back side of console. I'll cut out the warped section, fit in a piece of aluminum or stainless, and cover with leather. Or that is the idea.

[Europa73]

Thanks all,

Will let you know how it goes - it' a Christmas project

[Europa73]

Just tried the heat gun,,,,,,

looks like I may have to go with a new one