Dash trim write up.
04-27-2003, 06:45 PM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Dash trim write up.
Let me start off by saying this was the result of a boring Fri afternoon. The results you see were more of an accident than the end product of a careful plan. 
I would include more photos but my membership isn't set up yet so I'll have to wait.
That said; the paints I used are Dupli-color chrome paint and plasti-kote Classic Lacquer bought from Discount Auto. The chrome paint was used for something else and just wanted to see how it would look in the car. I thought it would look like sh*t until I added the lacquer.
The romoval of the trim pieces is not very difficult. However, it is very important that you take your time. The best write up on removing the trim and dash is here: <a href="http://members.rennlist.org/dan10101/docs/DASH%20REMOVAL.doc" target="_blank">Dash Removal</a>. I'll just elaborate with my experience.
The few things I will stress are: start with the piece over the A/C controls; once you remove the 4 screws behind it and remove the control unit, be very careful removing the ends of the other two trim pieces as the ends are glued to the dash (one is the trim piece around the ingition switch and the other is the long piece in front of the passenger).
There are two very difficult screws to remove from behind the steering wheel. If you don't have an airbag, you may want to remove the steering wheel. If you do have an airbag, then it's a PIA to get to them.
Use a long screwdriver and don't reinstall the screws in case you need to remove the trim again. There is one on each side of the sreering column. Use a small flashlight.
As for prepping the pieces for paint, I used 400 grit wet/dry sand paper and gave them a light scrubbing. Clean the pieces with alcohol (not beer).
The beer is for you. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
Use light coats of paint and let them dry in between coats. A hairdryer was mentioned and is a good idea to expedite things. Only a couple of coats should be necessary. Once the paint coat is good and dry (I waited overnight), I then put on a couple of coats of the lacquer. Once dry, install your newly painted trim and enjoy. <img border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" title="" src="graemlins/bigok.gif" />
Lessons learned: The lacqer coat dulled the extreme shine of the chrome paint which is why it turned out so well. I recommend using a true aluminum or brushed silver color paint and a harder automotive clearcoat. I feel that the trim will hold to daily use much better than with the lacquer. I also recommend removing the switch blanks on the center console (the open positions next to the central locking and sunroof controls) and painting them seperately. I feel it will look better this way. Other wise you'll have their outline in the paint.
That's it. Have a <img border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" title="" src="graemlins/drink.gif" />
Let me know if you have any questions. I hope this was enough info.
Daniel
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
I would include more photos but my membership isn't set up yet so I'll have to wait.That said; the paints I used are Dupli-color chrome paint and plasti-kote Classic Lacquer bought from Discount Auto. The chrome paint was used for something else and just wanted to see how it would look in the car. I thought it would look like sh*t until I added the lacquer.
The romoval of the trim pieces is not very difficult. However, it is very important that you take your time. The best write up on removing the trim and dash is here: <a href="http://members.rennlist.org/dan10101/docs/DASH%20REMOVAL.doc" target="_blank">Dash Removal</a>. I'll just elaborate with my experience.
The few things I will stress are: start with the piece over the A/C controls; once you remove the 4 screws behind it and remove the control unit, be very careful removing the ends of the other two trim pieces as the ends are glued to the dash (one is the trim piece around the ingition switch and the other is the long piece in front of the passenger).
There are two very difficult screws to remove from behind the steering wheel. If you don't have an airbag, you may want to remove the steering wheel. If you do have an airbag, then it's a PIA to get to them.
Use a long screwdriver and don't reinstall the screws in case you need to remove the trim again. There is one on each side of the sreering column. Use a small flashlight.As for prepping the pieces for paint, I used 400 grit wet/dry sand paper and gave them a light scrubbing. Clean the pieces with alcohol (not beer).
The beer is for you. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" /> Use light coats of paint and let them dry in between coats. A hairdryer was mentioned and is a good idea to expedite things. Only a couple of coats should be necessary. Once the paint coat is good and dry (I waited overnight), I then put on a couple of coats of the lacquer. Once dry, install your newly painted trim and enjoy. <img border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" title="" src="graemlins/bigok.gif" />
Lessons learned: The lacqer coat dulled the extreme shine of the chrome paint which is why it turned out so well. I recommend using a true aluminum or brushed silver color paint and a harder automotive clearcoat. I feel that the trim will hold to daily use much better than with the lacquer. I also recommend removing the switch blanks on the center console (the open positions next to the central locking and sunroof controls) and painting them seperately. I feel it will look better this way. Other wise you'll have their outline in the paint.
That's it. Have a <img border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" title="" src="graemlins/drink.gif" />
Let me know if you have any questions. I hope this was enough info.
Daniel
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
04-27-2003, 07:50 PM
#3
Rennlist Member
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by streckfu's951:
<strong> Clean the pieces with alcohol (not beer). The beer is for you. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">LMAO HEHE
<strong> Clean the pieces with alcohol (not beer).
The beer is for you. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">LMAO HEHE
04-27-2003, 09:11 PM
#5
Rennlist Member
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Tremelune:
<strong>Wait, so, pics?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">They are in his first post here is the link <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=019579" target="_blank">Link to the pics.</a>
<img border="0" alt="[bigbye]" title="" src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" />
<strong>Wait, so, pics?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">They are in his first post here is the link <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=019579" target="_blank">Link to the pics.</a>
<img border="0" alt="[bigbye]" title="" src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" />
