How to remove Alumunium interior trim pieces for vinyl wrapping?

[RyanCudlip]

Hi guys,

Do any of you know how to remove the aluminium strips that run along the doors and across the dashboard? I'm planning to wrap mine as I don't like the current finish on them.

Cheers


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[Max-Robbo]

I think you've got to remove them from the back, so remove the door cards and then undo the clips/screws holding them in



http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/660968-Has-anyone-removed-the-door-and-dash-trim-pieces

 

[nik patel]

I would also would be interested to know how... they must just pop off?

 

[Rob2k68]

Yep, the 3 pieces on the dash just pull off towards you but it really helps if you remove the centre switch panel by inserting two flat radio removal keys into the slots underneath as shown in the middle pic below. The ones on the doors require removal of the door trim pads (not too difficult) as they have two screws behind them as well as a clip and hook ........

 

[RyanCudlip]

Awesome guys, thanks!


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[RyanCudlip]

Got some parts of the trim off today, the driver's door and little part to the right hand side of my steering wheel. Only got the smallest section done so far but I think it looks great!

Went for what's almost a matte version of Daytona grey to match the exterior

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[sjbarneS3]

I'm getting mine carbon dipped, seeing as the group buy failed for the 3 doors...

 

[Rob2k68]

Got some parts of the trim off today, the driver's door and little part to the right hand side of my steering wheel. Only got the smallest section done so far but I think it looks great!

Went for what's almost a matte version of Daytona grey to match the exterior

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Good work Ryan liking that a lot - wrap looks slightly metallic too ?

 

[RyanCudlip]

Got the driver's door done last night and reinstalled it this morning love the metallic in the vinyl when the light catches it!

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[CarloS3]

I feel like this is going to be a stupid question but as i've never done it i don't really know - would it be viable to remove the trim inserts and paint them a different colour? Just thinking what with them being part metal and what not.

 

[Rob2k68]

I feel like this is going to be a stupid question but as i've never done it i don't really know - would it be viable to remove the trim inserts and paint them a different colour? Just thinking what with them being part metal and what not.

Yeah no reason why not mate just prep them as you would paint any other metal part.

 

[Reznor]

I feel like this is going to be a stupid question but as i've never done it i don't really know - would it be viable to remove the trim inserts and paint them a different colour? Just thinking what with them being part metal and what not.

I was thinking about painting mine too, until I removed one to see what the trim piece actually looked like and what was underneath. I guess I assumed that the trim was "aluminum-look", but it is, in fact, real aluminum and this made me hesitate to paint it. I've ordered some samples of vinyl wrap and might see if I can get something close to what I want so it can be removed easier in the future.

 

[CarloS3]

I was thinking about painting mine too, until I removed one to see what the trim piece actually looked like and what was underneath. I guess I assumed that the trim was "aluminum-look", but it is, in fact, real aluminum and this made me hesitate to paint it. I've ordered some samples of vinyl wrap and might see if I can get something close to what I want so it can be removed easier in the future.

Yeah I'd wrap mine too but I want to colour match mine to panther black. Don't like the idea of painting my only set, but at the same time I don't fancy shelling out for a full set of trim inserts haha

 

[Reznor]

Got some parts of the trim off today, the driver's door and little part to the right hand side of my steering wheel. Only got the smallest section done so far but I think it looks great!

Went for what's almost a matte version of Daytona grey to match the exterior

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Very nice wrap job on this! I'm currrently wrapping my dash trim pieces and am having difficulty getting that piece off in particular. Any tips or tricks you can share? Does it just pull right off or does it take a bit of finesse-ing?

 

[RyanCudlip]

Very nice wrap job on this! I'm currrently wrapping my dash trim pieces and am having difficulty getting that piece off in particular. Any tips or tricks you can share? Does it just pull right off or does it take a bit of finesse-ing?

That's the easiest part to remove out of the lot of them. I used a trim removal tool, got it underneath it and popped it right off


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[Reznor]

I did actually get it off but it was the most difficult on my car!I had to use two hooks behind the edges to haul it off as the trim removal tools weren't doing anything and even putting it back in was a struggle. Managed to scratch the aluminum a bit too although you wouldn't be able to see it unless you went in with a magnifying glass.

 

[oli356]

Managed to remove the parts on the dash easily enough, just needed to use radio keys to pull out the button row (parking sensor, driver select etc.)

Never wrapped anything before but even with a heat gun was struggling to do the corners and the funny angles of the trim pieces. Had to give up
Not sure if the vinyl was like the wrong kind maybe...? Was just some cheap stuff from ebay, not sure if it should have become more stretchy when heated.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/320950861034

 

[Reznor]

I feel your pain. The small piece with curves on both ends closet to the driver door was definitely the toughest one to do. It took a LOT of heating and repositioning and then some more heating and repositioning and then a little more. I think I went through about 5 different pieces of vinyl before finally getting one to work. I found it worked best if I got the center portion attached all the way around, then heated one end section *really* good and pulled and stretched it out right over the rounded end bit. I now have a lot more appreciation for the people doing this every day in their jobs!

 

[SPIKE_]

Yep, the 3 pieces on the dash just pull off towards you but it really helps if you remove the centre switch panel by inserting two flat radio removal keys into the slots underneath as shown in the middle pic below. The ones on the doors require removal of the door trim pads (not too difficult) as they have two screws behind them as well as a clip and hook ........

@Rob2k68 - Thread Revival!

Would you happen to have the pictures from your post back in July 2016? Long shot I know, but would be much appreciated.

 

[Rob2k68]

@Rob2k68 - Thread Revival!

Would you happen to have the pictures from your post back in July 2016? Long shot I know, but would be much appreciated.

Crickey that’s going back a bit LoL ....

Slots are just under the outer buttons shown by the red arrows here ....

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[SPIKE_]

Crickey that’s going back a bit LoL ....

Slots are just under the outer buttons shown by the red arrows here ....

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Thanks for that. I assume two flat pieces of metal would work just the same? Unfortunately I don’t have radio removal keys

 

[Rob2k68]

Thanks for that. I assume two flat pieces of metal would work just the same? Unfortunately I don’t have radio removal keys

Yes would probably work but the keys have a curved lead in have a look on eBay and just copy the profile.


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[SPIKE_]

Yes would probably work but the keys have a curved lead in have a look on eBay and just copy the profile.


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Thanks @Rob2k68

Replacement paino black trims fitted to the dash. Now for the doors

 

[Rob2k68]

Thanks @Rob2k68

Replacement paino black trims fitted to the dash. Now for the doors

View attachment 185717

Looks great

Doors are straight forward once you’ve removed the door cards.


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