HQ, that actually looks awesome. From what I've heard and from Nexson, the key is to do a Matte clear to keep the brushed effect. My fear with clearing it too is that whatever I kept hitting it with that damaged it originally, might chip the clear and I'd end up in the same boat. Maybe not...we shall see!

Sirius...not problem man...corner cat is an electric sander, made things easier. Sandpaper is rated in "grit"...the smaller the number, the more bite it has and the more material it removes. SO basically, when polishing metal (or any surface) you start with a large grit...
50 in this case (which is also what leaves the lines that look like brushstrokes).
Follow with 150 grit
then finish with a scotch pad or 450 grit and so on...keep going till it's smooth and you like it.

Good luck...
it's easy and can be done by hand btw...the tool just helped make it easier.

 

Good job!!! A great wat to save some money, i replace 1 side of my 04 tl a while ago. And yeah the price for one of those its ridiculous

 

Thanks rockstar, after looking and looking at yours, I think i want to attempt the brushed with clear. I'd be happy with whatever the outcome, my goal now is really just to get rid of the printed look.

Worst case, I could always sand the clear and just keep the aluminum look

This mod never really crossed my mind before, but after seeing how it can look

 

Thanks man...yeah, I still may end up tweaking mine...but for now, it gets the job done and I don't immediately look at the scratched up print anymore since...you know, it's GONE!

 

Rockstar143; That was a great write up on refinishing the console garnishes. I was curious for other solutuions as well, since I too am not paying 175. per side for these parts; that said is it possible powder coat them? Has anyone tried this approach?

Thanks

 

It is real metal, so, in theory that should work! Not sure how much someone would charge to make it happen though...might run you some dough. Plastidip is a pretty good option and the vinyl wrap for SURE (CF)

J.

Thank you, btw.

 

Rockstar -

I actually like your prose as much as I like your engenuity. Your initial writeup amused me and is refreshing to see on this board.

 

Not Di Noc

 

allin, I love that you know what prose is and I did not even do that on purpose. Thanks! I was going for haiku

KB1Spec...let me ask you a simple question...what does it take to be a friggin baller like you. I'd get THIS in a heartbeat. Gorgeous?

 

Actually my lease on my TL was up a long time ago so I took them out already. Still in my garage and up for sale

 

Don't wanna hi jack but.....







In case why you ask I did it in blue Carbon fiber, my TL was Royal Blue. So want to keep the exterior theme.

 

That is gorgeous...
I actually have a blue black and blue theme going right now, I vaguely remember you posting up a FS thread a long time ago. PM me your best price...it may entice me.

 

For the door trim, Do I need to remove the door panels?....

 

Gorgeous. I had a thread open about cf wrapping the garnishes...where did you get yours? I was about to go to stickercity, just wanted the best price/match for my interior.

 

I got my CF wrap at metro styling vendor on ebay. Cheap and good quality.

Yes, you need to remove door panel to do the door inserts...

 

Rockstar...you miht want to spray it with clear lacquer otherwise it will tarnish and you will start to get black oxidation. It looks great, why don't they do that in the first place?

 

Thank you sir.
I actually did a layer of polymer wax on it when I first did it. Honestly, still looks great. Worst case I'll sand it back down and do hit it with some clear. Thanks for the suggestions...my fear with adding paint is that I'll end up hitting it and marking it up with the seatbelt again!

 

KB1spec im really intrested in those trim peices if u could send me a email to roat_24@hotmail.com

 

I heard if you uses like armour all protectant, it will bring up the glossy look. Also did you use the off brand vinyl or 3M Di Noc?

 

thats a nice job u did right there. i got abbis blue and that would look good on my tl...

 

I used knockoff stuff...

Thanks man, yeah, I guess I can hit it with some armorall or something that will keep the pores of the metal filled and protected. Still looks dang good though, I need to do a final sanding on them and maybe do the door panels too.

 

I read through the posts on this topic...btw! Great looking job!! But I failed to catch how easy/hard it is to remove these in case i buy new ones?
Thanks!!

 

Grab it like you grab your johnson.. and give it a nice tug.

Start at the base.

 

^^^as usual, he's right.

open the center armrest...pry the back UP first with a small flathead...slide it under and twist...it'll pop up....by hand work your way forward...when you get to the front portion, that will pull out TOWARD you.

Just like flogging the dolphin

 

 

Just a thought. I was wondering if those things were real metal underneath. You could get an anodizing Kit, and anodize the aluminum, that would look sick!!!

 

It's a thin piece of alum over plastic

 

You could get a black oxide kit.. That works when u use a cotton swab or immerse it. It would look sick. I had mizuno mp32 golf clubs that I had black oxide, and the color was awesome. It would go so sweet with the black interior..

[IMG][/IMG]

^^^^ that finish would look awesome right

 

That does look pretty cool...more info please?

 

http://www.epi.com/c/black-oxide/aluminum

It looks like it would be easy.. That stuff is made for aluminum.. They say u can swab it on or immerse it.. But if u immersed it it would soak the exposed plastic. I would ask the company what it does to plastic I have no idea. It will turn metal the same color as those golf clubs though. Look at what regular MP32 look like.. I've seen putters and irons.. But those were all solid forged steel... That kit I linked above is specifically for oxidizing aluminum though

 

I ended up wrapping in vinyl, but thanks for the info:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/8397308844/http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockstar143/8397308844/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/rockstar143/, on Flickr

 

Ctrl+D

Looks good. I'd like to see someone also post fully polished Al.

 

Thanks man...now that you post that, it almost looks like a different car.

 

Some great ideas in this thread!

 

Would a stripper work on these instead of sanding with 50 grit? If a stripper works could just go to wet sanding and then clear coat.

 

I mean, I'd like to think I'd be stronger and more tenacious than her, but yeah, I guess you could have a stripper do the sanding for you.




I can think of at least 6 things I'd rather pay her to do though.

 

Man...I didn't even see that opening...good one.

 

LMAO...
I try, man...I try.
I'd love to know, but I'd guess it'll work just fine, will take the coating off. It was a HUGE PITA to sand down to metal, I'll admit.

 

So what is the covering on these pieces? Is it paint, vinyl?

 

I don't know...it's a weird texture that sands off, but not sure if paint or what?