Interior trim refinishing in OEM soft-finish paint..?

[Space Cadet]

Hi, there are lots of threads regarding having the center console cover sprayed in body-color or carbon-dipped etc, but I quite fancy just having it re-done as standard, along with the surround around the stereo/HVAC and the 2 trims by either sills (umbrella holder and seat controls on the other).

Does anyone know please if anywhere does this?

The replacement new part costs are eye-watering....!!

Thanks

 

[Kenno78]

I'd be concerned that the soft touch would wear off again. I went down this route and ended up getting the centre console wrapped in leather by Linus at designls

 

[Robertb]

I keep meaning to get round to doing my sill trims, but luckily my centre console is in excellent condition.

I bought some new trim for our old X5 which were soft touch finish originally, I noted the new ones were done in a normal matt finish; looks the same, but is significantly more durable.

I plan to use this same matt finish on my sill trims... I think it could be DIY'd and finished with some coats of satin or matt lacquer. A good job to do in the hot weather.

If I was going to renew the centre console I would get it retrimmed in leather as Kenno says, or painted body colour. Im not keen on that bit of trim as standard.

I also got the ashtray delete kit which in my view looks better.

 

[Space Cadet]

Thanks both. The car has lasted 20 years quite well so I'm happy to give the original type finish another try (I don't do many miles in it all all), I was hoping that there was somewhere that specialises in doing this rather than me making a hash of it spraying or wrapping it myself.

 

[Mac68]

Quite a few people on the 997 UK Owners page said they simply stripped the soft touch stuff off (using sand paper) prepared the surface
and then just sprayed satin spray paint and finished it off with satin lacquer.

I'm tempted to go this route but might try and colour match to my Metropole blue interior or just go black and then refinish my HVAC etc in black.

I imagine if you took it into any spray shop they could advise.

 

[Space Cadet]

Thanks, I'd talked myself into just taking all the bits off and sending them away to be done.

You are persuading me to at least try and give it a go beforehand. If it fails then nothing lost....

 

[TonyC911]

I can recommend Wicked Coatings, they can do pretty much any type of finish / colour and also offer a soft-touch finish if you really want it. They did my 997 centre console in body colour a few years ago, via mail order.

 

[Space Cadet]

Thanks, will give them a call!

 

[18mark11]

I have recently taken ownership of a 2003 996 Turbo and am also looking to get the rubber painted areas done. Centre console, key surround, seat switch surrounds etc. What route did you go after as I am also looking to try and keep it OEM

 

[gizlaroc]

I use Plastikote Super Matt black to respray trim.

It looks really oem, matt rather than rubberised, and 4 or 5 light coats gives you that very fine stippled finish.

It is far easier to get a perfect finish compared to regular paint or the rubberised stuff.

If you really want rubberised I would used Plastidip if doing it yourself.

This is my 996 I did the other day......

 

[markhaines]

I use Plastikote Super Matt black to respray trim.

It looks really oem, matt rather than rubberised, and 4 or 5 light coats gives you that very fine stippled finish.

It is far easier to get a perfect finish compared to regular paint or the rubberised stuff.

If you really want rubberised I would used Plastidip if doing it yourself.

This is my 996 I did the other day......

Hi, was looking to do the same and have bought some Plastikote - was wondering how it was holding up a year or so later?!

 

[gizlaroc]

Yeah still the same.

I have been using this stuff on various cars for years. Holds up well, I would say nearly as well, or as well, as the oem stuff most German brands use.


This was a trim piece that was silver that I sprayed with it a few years back, you can see how close a match it is to oem finish when you look at the finish on the iDrive controller.



Anyway, worst case is you get a deep scratch in it, simply mask off an area about 2" either side of the scratch and respray it.

 

[gizlaroc]

Lots of light coats, coats that dry in 1-2 minutes, and build it up till it is covered completely.

5, 6 or 7 coats whatever it takes, just light coats and build it up till it is covered.

Hold the can 12" away.


If it is cold or damp, put a hot hair dryer on it first to get some temp into the plastic.
Also, if it is cold, put the can in a bowl of hot water before spraying, just to make sure the spray comes out nice and fine.