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Molded dash/trim kits? anyone know a source?

3K views 19 replies 11 participants last post by  Parsec 
#1 · (Edited)
I want to replace the molded trim that's the fake looking wood trim above the glove box and the arm rests on the doors. My tan interior comes with it as a swirly black pattern and it doesn't please me. I thought there would be some 3rd party offering these trim pieces in a variety of colors/patterns but no, I can't find one.

There's no shortage of flat dash kits you stick on but I want the molded pieces. Currently the best I can do is get the mopar ones for the light frost interior to change it up. I'm not sure I can even do that as I can't find it in the mopar parts catalogue, I even pulled one off to get the part# X70005302BE :confused:
 
#3 ·
there are many options for refinishing what you have. It could be painted, covered with (vinyl, leather, etc), carbon fiber,
Many thanks, I was so stuck on replacements I didn't think of refinishing. Think I'll try the vinyl, never worked with it before so it will be a fun new challenge. Now I get to spend days researching the best vinyl and reseller.
 
#4 ·
Well that didn't take long. I went with Rvinyl. Many color choices but decided on burlwood, very traditional I know but I like it. I'll probably do the bezels too. Here's hoping I'm a fast learner but if it's anything like monokote on r/c planes I should be alright.

Vinyl Wrap Films | Carbon Fiber Vinyl | Wood Grain Vinyl
 

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#8 · (Edited)
Here's a little teaser. It's much more difficult than I thought. I cried a little bit 10 minutes into the job thinking I was in over my head but I kept at it. The first little piece came out great, the finish is satin which I prefer and actually has a little texture feel to it.
 

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#10 ·
Here's a little teaser. It's much more difficult than I thought. I cried a little bit about 10 minutes into the job thinking I was in over my head but I kept at it. The first little piece came out great, the finish is satin which I prefer and actually has a little texture feel to it.
Looks really good. Doubtless the frustration will be worth it. And I'm sure it gets easier with practice.

Looking forward to the rest of the results.
 
#17 · (Edited)
Both actually but wetting doesn't make it pliable, the heating does. Cut an over sized piece that will leave a couple inches overlap. Clean the trim piece, they sell spray bottles of cleaning and application fluid, basically alcohol and soap solutions. Then spray the application fluid, this helps to reduce air bubbles and wrinkles. Gently lay the vinyl on the piece and start applying pressure left to right, it will stick a little bit at this point. Use a hair dryer at medium setting and heat it up one section at a time for a few seconds. The vinyl will melt if you use high setting for more than a couple of seconds. Quickly smooth it out over the edges/curves with your fingers and squeegee, for tight corners and edges I heat it up and pull/stretch it. Do this over and over one section at a time until it's prefect. Once fitted, trim off all the excess and heat and smooth the whole surface again with hard pressure.

It's a difficult process for these compound curves but doable if you have patience and semi-skilled hands. I build and fly R/C planes so I thought it would be easy for me, it wasn't, at least for these curved pieces.
 
#18 ·
You've done a great job; looks great. Now when are you going to open up you're own shop to do this. This is how it all starts, and once you know all of the little secrets of applying it you'll be doing on the side for people for money.

Don' laugh, you never know. But great job anyway. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
#19 · (Edited)
You've done a great job; looks great. Now when are you going to open up you're own shop to do this. This is how it all starts, and once you know all of the little secrets of applying it you'll be doing on the side for people for money.
Don' laugh, you never know. But great job anyway. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
Ha, pretty sure it's just a one and done deal hobby. Then again, that's what I said about building web sites in the 90's which turned into my career until I built one for myself that got popular. Thus my screen name I've always used, short for VersionTracker, if any Mac heads remember that site.
 
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