I have searched around for similar issues on here. Basically the seatbelt destroyed the alumium trim next to where you click in. An old thread on here (2007) had a link to a parts vendor which showed the current price as being upwards of $170/ea!!! Yikes!

Has anyone on here sanded these and had them painted (or powdercoated?) For $170 each for something that will just wear down again... No thank you. I see some people did 3M wraps of these as well, but I don't know how that would hold up to more abuse.

What are your solutions to this issue?

 

replace/paint/wrap/live with it ... are the only solutions

 

I remember reading that somebody just sanded them down, and underneath they looked like "brushed aluminum". I think they just used a scotchbrite pad or something similar. Some other options are plastidip or vinyl rap like VQ stated above.

 

The 3m wrap would be your best bet if you don't want to replace them. Painting them doesn't hold up as well. The paint will chip up again after a while.

 

wrap it in carbon fiber dinoc vinyl (or any color vinyl of your choice). you can purchase it off eBay from metrostyling.

here is what i did with mine. black CF and graphite CF mixture.

 

I plasti dipped mine and they've held up for 6-7 months so far perfectly

 

Did you remove everything to wrap it or were just super careful with the X-Acto?

Plasti dipped? Go on...

 

^i removed everything but i've done it so many times now it only takes about 10 minutes. it's the only way to have it come out clean.

i also do this type of work for other members, so if you're interested just send me a PM.

 

pics?

I've been contemplating getting a "brushed aluminum" looking vinyl for them, but plasti-dip would be cheaper....

did you clear it as well?

 

No clear. Just sprayed and reinstalled

 

I might try the plasti dip after those few photos. Looks great, mine has scratches all over the driver side it's an eye sore.

 

Wow. That turned out a lot better than I would have thought.

 

sharks, what color CF is your trim?

 

Anyone ever try brushed steel Scothprint ? Looks really nice!


http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...=648851&page=2

 

Do they just pop off or do you have to take other pieces off to get those off?? Mine are in good shape but idk about anyone else the sun shines off that and goes right into my face I usually have to set my hand there just so I can see so both of these ideas will solve my problem they both look good just curious as to how they come off

Thanks

 

I think it is already like that underneath.

 

I swear those trims are made from pewter, not aluminum. You can practically scratch them with your fingernail.

 

Tin maybe, but not pewter.
Pewter actually costs more $ and has a very different look

 

vacuum, find one.

 

black and graphite...

 

Wow that came out really good. Matches up well with the rest of the console.






yes, it does! Might give this one a shot. Thanks!

 

Is it hard to vinyl wrap. I was thinking about wrapping mine in brushed aluminum.

 

^not neccesarily hard...just time consuming.

 

Any DIY's on vinyl wrapping?

 

^you shouldn't really need one. and if you do, you probably shouldn't try it anyway.

google is your friend. i'm sure you'll find some tips on how to do it. razor blades, hair dryer, primer 94 adhesive, etc.

 

cf vinil will help. i did the same as those pics... now look really nice

 

 

Few tips from after I did mine..

- Don't use 3M Super 77 spray adhesive, the vinyl has its own adhesive that works great (I read the super 77 helps and it doesn't it just makes it bubble up)

- Use a heat-gun for some of the bigger curves like on the long trim pieces but don't over-heat the vinyl it'll melt some if you do

- Clean the pieces prior to wrapping, I used denatured alcohol to wipe them off, careful though it'll discolor the black plastic trim pieces some

It's actually pretty easy to do.