What to use to clean aluminum console?

Try Wenol red metal polish. I use it for exhaust tips, exhaust can and silver door entry guards.

 

I have a 2000 with the rough silver finish and I used Griot's Interior cleaner and a tooth brush for dirty areas and 3M adhesive remover for black scuff marks that looked like shoe polish/dressing. Lacquer thinner would also work for that, I imagine. I also used silver model paint to touch up a couple of very small nicks, which hid them nicely.

 

Anyone have the paint color code of those(silver) consoles?

 

Color is Argento Nurburgring, PPG 36520, same color used on the wheels and, optionally, the brake calipers.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Thanks Taz

 

Crazy but true.......... try one of those MrClean magic eraser pads. I used it on my 360 (when I had it), and was pleased with the results.

Try it on a lower door section first if you want.

 

Stefan- Affirmative. Lacquer thinner will pretty much guarantee starting over again. Not always a bad deal, but better to do it intentionally.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Taz and others: Is it true that Ferrari changed the console/door panels during the production run? Earlier cars, like my 2000, seem to have a rough natural aluminum finish, almost like a sandblasted finish. Such a textured finish makes it a magnet for oils and scuffs from shoes, so I heard that they changed to a smooth painted finish on later models. One would definitely not want to use lacquer thinner if the part is painted. Magic eraser seems like a cleaver idea.

 

My late 99 has the sand blasted aluminum... doesn't look painted.. its one of the things I really love about the car, a real high quality finish on the interior and besides the switches and knobs... no painted plastic bits!

Had me confused there for a minute.. ;-)

BTW, I've used Formula 409 and a soft brush with some success..

 

If you want to get rid of black scuff marks on the door panels, try "Totally Awesome" cleaner. You can find this at the 99cent stores. Then wipe off the residue off with water.

Totally Awesome also works great removing tar on the exterior paint and on clear plastic film protectors on the wheel fender lips.

The spray nozzle is not very good so I just swap them out for a different nozzle from a windex bottle.

 

Swap out to CF. It updats the look and cleans up with a lint free cloth and a bit of window cleaner

 

+1000

See my (kinda long) thread and pics:
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199236

 

Just a general heads up on those magic erasers - they may feel soft, but they are abrasive. Test them on an inconspicuous area first. They can very easily dull or change the delicate/special finish of whatever you're cleaning. They do clean certain things safely, but just be careful how you use them.

 

to confirm this is the center console and door panels are Argento Nurburgring, PPG 36520?

 

If you're looking for the rough textured paint for the earlier models it's a PPG paint reference Fer.248617. If you can find a friendly PPG outfit they can mix up an aersol or two for you. Use undercoat G5 for maximum hiding.

If you want to clean up the rough paint my experience is that cleaning and polishing is next to impossible. Resort to paint is my advice.

 

On my 2005 360 I use a very fine #4 Griots polish. Put it on a micro fiber and rub lightly. Takes out any scuffs in the aluminum and leaves it with a nice shine..

 

Yes, they are equivalent to fine grade wet and dry paper.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melamine_foam