Painting your shift boot

[JayTA98]

If you have a shift boot that is looking old or is fading out you can paint it with some vinyl paint. I'm testing this on my A4 boot and so far I had good results. This is what I used:

-1 can of Duplicolor Vinyl and Fabric paint can. I used HVP111 Charcoal Gray
but you can use your color of preference.

-Bubble wrap
-Gloves

Start by removing the boot of the console if you don't have it out. Clean the boot with water and mild soap. Use a brush to clean the texture of the shift boot. Let the boot dry in the sun.

Fill the boot with the bubble wrap to make the surface as flat as possible.

Put some gloves(optional) and shake the can of paint for about one minute. Spray the boot lightly with the paint. Do very light coat to avoid runs and sags. Let it dry for 10 mins. Re apply a 2nd coat. When you are satisfied with the color results let the boot dry for about 20 mins. Remove the bubble wrap and carefully reinstall the boot in the console.

Before, it had that nasty black stain:

After:


Be careful on how many coats you put on. The more you put the lighter color it gets as you can see.

[third_shift|studios]

thats nice, hope it holds up. it almost matches your silver accents-happy accident

[JayTA98]

Yes is a nice color. i noticed that no matter how much i let the boot sit on the sun the paint doesn't hold good against other surfaces. Today I noticed that some the paint got adhered to the area of the console were the shifter sits on park. I clean it up and it looks good but I think it will keep happening.

You can't notice it unless the shifter is on drive or lower. I will still suggest to get a nice clean or brand new boot versus painting it. It still looks better than the original. The paint is very flexible so I will keep an eye to see how long it last. I will be replacing it with a clean boot as soon as i find one.

I just wanted to give a heads up at anyone that tries to do this.

[Inscore SS]

nice job, it looks new!

[tatertot91]

Nice job! Never actually seen that stuff used before

[JayTA98]

I does looks like brand new. If you clean the surface good it adheres to it and its very flexible. What i don't like is that it like leave paint marks against other surface if it sits against it for long. In my case it happened in my console were the shifter sits in "Park" which doesnt look good.

It's better nothing but not the best. I was trying to try the VTH dye one but I didn't find it. It was cheaper to go back to the junk yard and get another boot.

[AKA Speedy]

I know this is off topic, but what pedals do you have.... I LIKE!

[JayTA98]

I know this is off topic, but what pedals do you have.... I LIKE!

They are Netami pedals. I bought them at pepboys when I got the car.

[pajeff02]

Looks great! I used some interior spray dyes when I did the Corvette restoration and they have all held up very well. I think you nailed it when you said, "do a very light coat". You certainly don't apply this stuff the same as you would regular spray bomb.

[AKA Speedy]

They are Netami pedals. I bought them at pepboys when I got the car.

REALLY? They look good man! good job on the interior!!!

[JayTA98]

REALLY? They look good man! good job on the interior!!!

Thanks!