Once I figure out how to post pictures I'll start putting up pics of my interior redo. I'm doing a minimal upgrade, which consists of repainting various trim pieces, including the dash bezel, center console top pieces, and door handle surrounds, in a shiny black (interior is dark, flat gray). So far the only thing I've done is the power window switch plate, which actually looks pretty good. I used Krylon plastic paint bought at Autozone for less than 5 bucks. The can says it can be used without primer. The results verified that claim. I didn't sand, just normal cleaning and degreasing prep work. I kind of like the textured look. I put on thin coats, let them dry according to directions, and applied more thin coats (about 6 total). The piece looks shiny and seems to be durable. I plan on using this as my test piece, which will include wet sanding and clear coating.
I do have some questions. Can you remove the door handle surrounds without taking off the door panels? I may take them off, anyhow, to put a buch of Dynomat on the panels to quiet down the squeeks. I see several pics of various trim pieces painted, including the speaker grilles. Do they separate, as well?
I actually just painted a bunch of pieces (finished up my dash trim plate today actually), including that door handle bezel thing. Mine had plastic welds (as do most of them), so I ended up having to break a couple of those to get the piece out. Then to reinstall it, I took off the whole door panel and put a screw and washer on the back of the welds that I broke. It sits flush and looks great.
So I guess the answer to that questoion would be that you would eventually have to take your panels off, if you want it to sit flushly.
I need to get updatd pics of my paint project, my interior is a dark gray, and I did all those pieces in blue (my car is blue). Also using krylon fusion, and their clear coat as well. (and wax, sandpaper, rubbing compound, shine restorer, rubbing alcohol...)
I thought about taking my parts to a local custom paint shop to have them paint matched Arrival Blue. I like the "Piano Black" finish better, which is also much cheaper than a custom shop.
As for the door panels, I have bad luck customizing my vehicles. They always seem to come out worse, with more pieces broken or ill fitting, after I'm done. I'm taking my time with this one.
here's a pic of the job I did, I need to take a better one though, with better lighting, it looks a lot lighter than it really is...
thanx for lettin me know what blue on blk looks like n i now no not to do it i might just make it all blk with white accents
well if it doesn't suit your personal tastes then go for the white trim. I love the blue.
Anyone you know do a carbon interior?
in this forum check out the modded interior thread there's a blk n carbon interior looks really good
John D wrote:here's a pic of the job I did, I need to take a better one though, with better lighting, it looks a lot lighter than it really is...
looks real nice man.
i realy want to get mine to look like that, but in red
jeff heyman wrote:in this forum check out the modded interior thread there's a blk n carbon interior looks really good
Can you be more specific about the thread? I looked for 2 hours but didn't find it.
I have to agree with Jeff. I thought about doing this to mine but it's way too much blue, scattered throughout the car, for my tastes. It looks disjointed. So long as you like it, though, is all that matters.
*****UPDATE*****
I got the doors off and console out. The bottom half of the console is painted, as are the handle trim rings. I have some wet sanding and buffing left to do. The dash trim is next. BTW, does anyone know for sure how to take the dash trim off? Every post I've read hasn't been much help.
How do you post pics on here?
it looks a little disjointed because its not complete yet, its a work in progress.
(I actually just did the top portion of the center console the other day)
to get the dash trim off, you need to take the whole top dash off, there are a couple bolts on the side of the pieces (when you remove the plates that are inside the door area), then theres, I think, 2-3 bolts inside the glove box, as well as the two brass bolts deep within the glove box that are right by the air bag, then theres also a bolt underneath the top vent piece. forgetting any?
the haynes manual has a description of how to take this piece out.
John D wrote:here's a pic of the job I did, I need to take a better one though, with better lighting, it looks a lot lighter than it really is...
ya know what would make it look better if u tied in the top of the center console with blue im jsut not one for a lot of flashy color on my interior i did it once with my sunfire n realized how much i hated it im just for a stock look but i will paint my interior cuz the white z24 with tan interior isn't working BTW i have been told a white z with a tan interior is a rare find * ne one else hear that ???
**** CONTINUING UPDATE****
I just picked up a set of black RSX seats cheap (cheaper than Sparco's, anyway, which look almost the same) from a very recent wreck. Problem is they don't just drop right in (imagine that). I've figured a couple of solutions that I'll be trying. Once I can get some pics , and figure out how to post (which free web hosting site to use) I'll put up a how-to. Oh, BTW, for anyone else who is considering this swap here's what else to watch out for:
1. These seats are ELEPHANTS in comparrison to the stockers. I swear they weigh at least 30 pounds more each. That's partially due to the inclusion of side impact airbags in these seats. They are built like tanks, very solid. As a positive, though, they have great bolstering and are height adjustable.
2. Honda, in their infinate wisdom, decided against a standard bolt and go setup. Everything is rivited together. You have to drill (or grind, as I'm going to try) the stock mounting tabs off the rails. It's easier to do it that way than try to separate the rails from the frame ( once I can post you'll see what I mean.) Because of this the rails butt right up against the floor pan under the console, pushing the seat outboard. This prevents you from easily using the recline mechanism.
3. You will make a lot of Honda owners upset, which is a very good thing. From what I found in my local searches, these seats are very rare (at least where I live). I couldn't even locate old, crappy ones. Found lots of leather seats that had been left to the elements, though (some nice ones ruined by lack of storage space. Too bad.)
I also plan on upholstering the back seat to match, as well as covering interior bits and making shift and parking brake boots with matching suede. The bottom half of the console and that little cover piece under the dash will be covered with matching stock carpet, as well.
Also planned: a complete system, including a nav system with Bluetooth and XM traffic, components in the doors, remounting the lock switches to another location and mounting the amps and subs in the middle of the back seat.
As for color changes, I'll definetly do something with the dash surround (thanks for the tips, John) and console top. I'm going for an integrated, European feel. I wan't a 328 but can only afford what I've got.
IMO, painting the interior of your car a contrasting color is one of the worst things you can do visually. If you want it to look clean, respectable, and professional you would've gone with a slightly less drastic change in color. The exterior of a car is the part that is meant to be colorful and flashy to get your attention. The interior is left to be more relaxing and easy on the eyes. You've made it as to have your occupants go into an epileptic seizure upon entering your car.
But hey, to each his own and if you like rice, then you have done a fine job.
Bob
2004 Saturn Ion Redline
Mods:
3" SFPH pulley, Jason Smith rear stabilizer bar, progress springs, Mustang Cobra heat exchanger w/ BWoody brackets
The opinions being expressed in this thread are exactly why I haven't done anything permanent inside yet. I've painted various parts gloss black, then tried gloss blue, and covered others with C/F like sticker material. Nothing I've done so far really impresses me. At least I can change it back. Why did GM feel is necessary to cover every non-cloth surface with cheap, shiny, low grade plastic?
My seats are fighting me every step. So far I've fabbed up a brackets on the passenger side, but had to butcher up the stock Acura rails to get it this far. Next step is to take the rails off completely, fab up a whole new bracket and put the stock Chevy sliders on. Pictures soon.
Opinions: I have some ideas I want to share. I'll be taking a count of who likes what. I like them all but can't decide which I like better.
The stock Acura seats are covered with black suede on the bolsters and some funky patterened cloth in the centers. Here's the ideas:
1. Upholster the back seat to match and cover the armrests and console door in suede.
2. Leave the suede alone and recover the centers in perforated leather, again upholstering the back to match.
3. Recover the Acura seats to match the stock interior.
4. Recover everything in black leather.
I also plan on finding a non-sunroof headliner and covering it in suede, along with the sun visors.
