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No real updates, but it did get a much needed bath over the weekend. Maintenance/upgrades to the rotors and pads will be coming over the next couple of months. Considering getting the Type S lips resprayed as well and removing the clear bra permanently.
No posts for a long while. This thread deserves a proper shoot, but here's a few screenshots from social media of what's been happening over the last year.
Adam's Rotors Sport II overslotted rotors with Posi-Quiet pads
Replaced peforated seat centers with similar shade of synthetic suede, fresh padded on all seat covers, more padding and contrast stitching on steering wheel, and new padding on the armrest
Last month I wrapped the chrome on the front grille and chrome bar on the trunk with 3M 1080 Gloss Black vinyl. The front was getting really pitted and I was never able to get it clean to my satisfaction. Wrapping the front fixed that and I did the back for consistency. Flows better now with the gloss black window trim in my opinion.
Recently, I wrapped all the interior metal trim with 3M 1080 Satin White Aluminum vinyl. The trim along my side of the center console had some flaking top coat since I purchased it used and it just continued to flake and get worse. I removed all that top coat with nail polish remover, but it was just too shiny for my liking. I purchased a book of 3M 1080 vinyl samples to get the color/finish just right and went with the Satin White Aluminum since it closely matched the interior door handles, shift surround, and radio buttons.
My bulbs around the navi have started going out one by one. I ordered a new set of 12 bulbs from Delray Acura and plan to swap those out myself.
Despite babying the dash since purchasing the car in 2012 and using a sunshade everywhere I went, I finally developed my first crack on the passanger side top of the dash. I'm considering dash covers now and might go with the Coverking in a charcoal suede to match my seat inserts or just keep it simple with the black. I look forward to covering up that unsightly crack and also dialing down the glare from my dash. I may also go back to the guy that redid my seats to see if he has any ideas for a custom leather dash cover with stitching to match the doors/seats.
I love the glossy black Brembo calipers up front, but I've never been a fan of the flaking clear coat and didn't look forward to the paint job. I also wasn't happy with how the factory RDX caliper covers mounted to the rear. I figured I'd take an oppourtunity to mask both with something a bit more custom. After I started seeing the BMW M series using a caliper cover to smooth out the look of their calipers, I started to warm up to the idea of caliper covers over nice brakes. I've been working with MGP Caliper Covers for over a month now to get a logo nailed down for some custom caliper covers. I think you guys will be happy with the final product, and keep an eye out for this offering on their website in the near future.
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I'll do a proper photoshoot in a few weeks once everything above is complete.
Great update, man...sorry was caught up with work and didn't really pay attention to the fact that I didn't acknowledge the cool caliper cover and your other updates.
I'm still curious if you keep windows cracked and ambient overall temp down, NOT just sun off...if the dash would never crack.
If you've heard one joke about Ziploc bags full of pubes you've heard them all...
Good idea about leaving the vents cracked, but it's curious how the primary spot these dashes crack is on either (or both) side of the airbag in the passenger side of the dash. It's got to be something that has to do with that. Either the void in the dash in that area giving way after some period of time, possible pressure in the bag, etc.
The crack is only 6" to 8" long (***prepares for next rockstar143 joke***), but it's still enough to bother me. I just can't find myself loving the carpet or suede dash mat option. I'm going to talk to my upholstery guy next week and see if we can figure out another alternative that doesn't involve removing and replacing the entire dash.
Even if you replace...the new one might do it too. It starts with one, but you'll see the others coming soon unfortunately (from my experience).
Ask me how I know.
It's the material they used to make the dash...didn't do well with extreme heat cycles...hence why I think keeping temp from going too extreme in either direction (especially heat)...might...
who knows.
Some updated shots of the gloss black wrapped front grille surround and trunk trim, satin white aluminum wrapped interior trim. There are also some some seat and steering wheel shots since I realized I never posted any shots of my own after getting that work done last year.
3M 1080 Gloss Black wrapped exterior pieces
3M 1080 Satin White Aluminum wrapped interior pieces
A couple close ups of the color similarity between the 3M 1080 Satin White Aluminum and the factory pieces
Steering Wheel (extra memory foam padding & red stitching)
A couple closeups of the rear seats and contrast between the leather and suede inserts
Last edited by silvrbreez; 06-10-2017 at 11:36 PM.
Got the caliper covers in today. Took them out the box immediately and the look great! Put them on the car with the wheels off and they look great. Proceeded to put the wheels on and the front caliper covers don't fit inside the barrel of my 18" stepped lip wheels. DANG! They rub on the outside at the barrel and at the hub.
I know these KS wheels are chunky, after all I did need spacers for the hub and back of spokes to clear the Brembos, but this isn't something I was expecting. These wheels are definitely a labor of love, but I'm afraid my love may be fading. Need to brainstorm solutions. I don't want to trim these covers down since the look so good and I know they'd clear a typical set of 18"s, but I also like my wheels a lot.
Thoughts in my head tonight include...
a. test fit the waffles back on the car and see if the covers fit behind them.
b. sell the caliper covers and cut my losses
c. sell the KS wheels that I spent time and money procuring, restoring, and customizing & buy a set of my grail wheels (e.g. BBS, SSR, etc.)
11-10-2014, 09:08 PM
Rainy day in BMT by Brandon Bergeron, on Flickr
At the theater by Brandon Bergeron, on Flickr
Sunbeams by Brandon Bergeron, on Flickr
Reflections by Brandon Bergeron, on Flickr
Sunlit by Brandon Bergeron, on Flickr
