Help fixing dashboard carbon trim
#1
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Thread Starter
Help fixing dashboard carbon trim
My carbon trim on the dashboard is bending and I wonder if there is a way I could remove the trim piece without removing the whole dashboard...
Without removing the part, it will be much harder to glue it back together and make it 'stick'. I had great success gluing the air vent that did bend a bit too, but I used clamps and kept the clamp on for 3 or 4 days before putting the part back in.
Here are a couple pictures of the problem. I really don't see how the trim can be removed without the dash
Without removing the part, it will be much harder to glue it back together and make it 'stick'. I had great success gluing the air vent that did bend a bit too, but I used clamps and kept the clamp on for 3 or 4 days before putting the part back in.
Here are a couple pictures of the problem. I really don't see how the trim can be removed without the dash
#2
Drifting
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ephrata, PA, USA now. Originally from the UK
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I don't know but if the trim doesnt come out easily, then don't botch it up. Think about removing the dash board so you can do a perfect job on the trim. I should imagine that removing the dash is a painstaking job but you may just have to do it that way. You might find a film on youtube on how to remove the dash board on the 996. Good luck and let us know how you go on. BTW is the carbon strip stock or a mod which someone did?
#4
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
St911, how did your remove the trim on top of the dash ?
dashboard removal ?
I had some hope as I see that particular strip at the front of the dash seems to be a separate part, I can see it plugs on top of the dash but I don't see how I could remove it without removing the dash ... or the windshield
The carbon fiber trim is stock OEM, really neat looking piece. My car came with the full carbon interior, which is my second preferred feature right after the full leather interior but both seems to require care and if possible parking the car always indoor away from the sun.
dashboard removal ?
I had some hope as I see that particular strip at the front of the dash seems to be a separate part, I can see it plugs on top of the dash but I don't see how I could remove it without removing the dash ... or the windshield
The carbon fiber trim is stock OEM, really neat looking piece. My car came with the full carbon interior, which is my second preferred feature right after the full leather interior but both seems to require care and if possible parking the car always indoor away from the sun.
#5
Banned
I have the same issue, but with the wood trim. I've been looking for some time now, but a whole new left side dash kit is $700, and all I need is one replacement piece since it cracked. Hopefully somone on here has a cheaper solution.
#7
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Thread Starter
Ok I managed to remove the trim
0. remove the alarm sensor cover. carefull the tabs are fragile. at worst the plate can be replaced for cheap...ask me how I know..
1. remove the A pillar
for this simply seat in the driver/passenger seat, put your finger in between the A pilar and the headliner and you will feel where the pillar attach, pull firmly and it will pop, there are 4 of them
2. remove the side vent (2 screws on the side). you need to remove that piece or the trim may come off but break something from the side vent, the are interlocked together.
3. pull upward the trim, by putting your finger inside the trim vents. it require a firm pull but it will pop.
BE CAREFULL, when the trim comes up it will touch the tab located on the alarm sensor base. the tabs that were holding the alarm sensor cover. just slide the trim forward to clear the tab.
In the picture you can see the hook that explains why the A pillar to need to be pulled
Now I need to see how I can glue it back... I'll try to sand down a bit the surface for better adhesion and clamp it for a while before putting it back on.
0. remove the alarm sensor cover. carefull the tabs are fragile. at worst the plate can be replaced for cheap...ask me how I know..
1. remove the A pillar
for this simply seat in the driver/passenger seat, put your finger in between the A pilar and the headliner and you will feel where the pillar attach, pull firmly and it will pop, there are 4 of them
2. remove the side vent (2 screws on the side). you need to remove that piece or the trim may come off but break something from the side vent, the are interlocked together.
3. pull upward the trim, by putting your finger inside the trim vents. it require a firm pull but it will pop.
BE CAREFULL, when the trim comes up it will touch the tab located on the alarm sensor base. the tabs that were holding the alarm sensor cover. just slide the trim forward to clear the tab.
In the picture you can see the hook that explains why the A pillar to need to be pulled
Now I need to see how I can glue it back... I'll try to sand down a bit the surface for better adhesion and clamp it for a while before putting it back on.
Last edited by philooo; 08-23-2012 at 11:19 AM. Reason: accuracy
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#8
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
FYI on new part number and cost ... I will definitely try to fix my carbon fiber trim !
LEFT:
lacquer 996 552 186 04 -> $130 !!
leather 996 552 988 05 -> $600
carbonfiber 996 552 988 04 ->$700
RIGHT:
lacquer 996 552 186 05 -> $130 !!
leather 996 552 989 05 -> $600
carbon 996 552 989 04 -> $700
LEFT:
lacquer 996 552 186 04 -> $130 !!
leather 996 552 988 05 -> $600
carbonfiber 996 552 988 04 ->$700
RIGHT:
lacquer 996 552 186 05 -> $130 !!
leather 996 552 989 05 -> $600
carbon 996 552 989 04 -> $700
#10
Wow, what a mess. I had the exact same problem but I guess I left mine in the sun a bit longer than you did. When I went to pull the trim parts around the dash it pretty much lifted right off all the way around. Ater a good cleaning I decided to leave it as is, it's just slightly discolored and given the location is almost unnoticeable.
#11
Rennlist Member
I have the wood trim, but it would seem it doesn't matter which you have as it will eventually start to detach and warp. I looked into repairing it, but as I was taking it apart the wood was breaking apart in my hands.
So, I'm having a strip made out of leather to fit the groove. Since the car is Guards Red, I'm having the strip made in red. I should be getting it back together in a couple of weeks.
So, I'm having a strip made out of leather to fit the groove. Since the car is Guards Red, I'm having the strip made in red. I should be getting it back together in a couple of weeks.
#12
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
the strip of leather is a good idea, please post a picture when you get it back, I assume a lot of us will have to repair those strip as they seem prone to disintegration ...
#13
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Interesting thread, thanks.
I've just fixed the carbon trim on a 996 C4S. Boiling water was useful in making the trim malleable so I could remove the warping.
Because it was slightly cracked, I enquired about new parts. Porsche quoted me £480 plus VAT per side - and that's trade! There is, though, the option of black plastic strips for a bargain £50 per side. I suspect you could get a carbonfibre specialist to make some for less.
Needless to say, I didn't buy new ones.
Cheers
Phil
I've just fixed the carbon trim on a 996 C4S. Boiling water was useful in making the trim malleable so I could remove the warping.
Because it was slightly cracked, I enquired about new parts. Porsche quoted me £480 plus VAT per side - and that's trade! There is, though, the option of black plastic strips for a bargain £50 per side. I suspect you could get a carbonfibre specialist to make some for less.
Needless to say, I didn't buy new ones.
Cheers
Phil
#14
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
very interesting idea of boiling water because the carbon fiber get hard as a rock sometime. how did you proceed ? did you put hot water on a cloth on then apply the cloth on the fiber ?
I put mine on the hot florida sun to prepare them before gluing and it went well.
I am done with it now, not yet back on, but my main problem was that I did not remove the whole carbon fiber strip from the trim. The reason why is because on the part closest to the vent, the carbon seem to be 'welded' to the trim, I did not want to pull it as it was setup really tight for me.
But without removing the whole strip I hope I will not have to do this again.
One remark be super careful how much glue you apply, only a small amount is needed or you will have overspill and it needs to be cleaned up immediately, like in the second to avoid marking the leather. Also the groove in between the carbon fiber and the leather look better if they are not filled with glue. I have some spot I am not happy with but considering the location of the trim that should not be an issue.
I wonder how the base plastic trim would look on a full leather car. they are pretty darn cheap. best option might be to buy those and bring them to a local upholstery shop, it is not a difficult piece to wrap in leather.
I put mine on the hot florida sun to prepare them before gluing and it went well.
I am done with it now, not yet back on, but my main problem was that I did not remove the whole carbon fiber strip from the trim. The reason why is because on the part closest to the vent, the carbon seem to be 'welded' to the trim, I did not want to pull it as it was setup really tight for me.
But without removing the whole strip I hope I will not have to do this again.
One remark be super careful how much glue you apply, only a small amount is needed or you will have overspill and it needs to be cleaned up immediately, like in the second to avoid marking the leather. Also the groove in between the carbon fiber and the leather look better if they are not filled with glue. I have some spot I am not happy with but considering the location of the trim that should not be an issue.
I wonder how the base plastic trim would look on a full leather car. they are pretty darn cheap. best option might be to buy those and bring them to a local upholstery shop, it is not a difficult piece to wrap in leather.
#15
Addict
Rennlist Member
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Hi Phil
I found the best thing was to pouring boiling water straight onto the strip. It then went quite floppy. However, on cooling it seemed to retain some memory of the original warped shape, so I had to repeat the process several time.
All UK cars have full leather, so I'm not sure what the strip would be like. In fact, I'm not sure non-carbon cars have any form of strip on the dash top. I need to look at one.
If you're going to have strips wrapped in leather, probably best to give the leather shop the old ones as a pattern - they could probably cut plastic formers themselves.
Phil
I found the best thing was to pouring boiling water straight onto the strip. It then went quite floppy. However, on cooling it seemed to retain some memory of the original warped shape, so I had to repeat the process several time.
All UK cars have full leather, so I'm not sure what the strip would be like. In fact, I'm not sure non-carbon cars have any form of strip on the dash top. I need to look at one.
If you're going to have strips wrapped in leather, probably best to give the leather shop the old ones as a pattern - they could probably cut plastic formers themselves.
Phil