Going for a bit of a cosmetic refresh.

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ScooBeeFive
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Re: Going for a bit of a cosmetic refresh.

Post by ScooBeeFive » Wed Dec 23, 2020 4:13 pm

Simon B wrote:
Wed Dec 23, 2020 10:46 am
I used a company called MJ body works in Lincoln. He is a one man band who used to work for one of the long established body shops in Lincoln then set up on his own about 10 years ago. Just him on his own in a small unit but the workmanship is excellent. He was recommended to me by a friend who also works in that trade otherwise I wouldn’t have known he was there. Makes you wonder how many other great tradespeople are out there that we don’t know about.
It's great when you find people like this. Just need that good recommendation. Especially for paint work, there are so mainly terrible paint jobs out there, it seems rare to find someone you can trust to do a good job.
Paul

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Re: Going for a bit of a cosmetic refresh.

Post by DogWagen » Wed Dec 23, 2020 10:01 pm

Thanks Simon - sounds like you've found a proper craftsman there.

Mike

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Simon B
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Re: Going for a bit of a cosmetic refresh.

Post by Simon B » Thu Feb 25, 2021 4:32 pm

Afternoon Folks

Well the sun is out now and I have started to look at the next challenge for the refresh.

I have a couple of pieces on the centre console which are a bit scratched and I have wanted to replace for some time. this one in particular is a bit of a mess (See Pictures below)

As it has the telephone "dock" built in (for Nokia 6310) a replacement is over £100.00 for the whole unit but I only need the part in the picture because the other part comes off and is fine. Does anyone know where I might get that part on its own? The other alternative is to try and refurb the ones I have. I have seen someone do it on Youtube with some special paint but not convinced I am happy doing that myself. Is there someone out there who does that sort of refurb? At the end of the day all new parts are about £200 and I dont want used as they might not be any better than the ones I have. But just wanted to consider my options if there are any.

Now onto a potentially more controversial point. Now that I have had the paintwork done and all machine polished I am planning on ceramic coating the paint. I have bought the kit based on something I have seen recommended but wondered what people views are on that. Is it easy to do? Is it a good thing to do?

As always I welcome peoples thoughts and advice and will update with progress (albeit slow) as and when there is some
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Metrics
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Re: Going for a bit of a cosmetic refresh.

Post by Metrics » Thu Feb 25, 2021 8:07 pm

Refurbing plastic trim is very easy, as long as you prepare the old surface correctly and use the correct paint. Well within scope of a DIYer.

For ceramic coating - depends on the type of kit as the amount of products out there is massive. Some of the more pro kits do need special understanding on how to use and apply so you do not ruin your paint. The more simple and DIY are a lot easier to use but tend to not last as long or give as much shine.

Assuming you have a DIY kit, then application will be straightforward enough and I'm sure it has some instructions?
It's critical to get the surface prep right. Sounds like the paint has been corrected, so assuming the paint is contaminant free then use a a panel wipe like Gyeon prep or diluted IPA to remove anything on the paint for the best ceramic adhesion.

It's well worth doing as ceramic coatings do a great job of keeping the paint protected and makes cleaning a lot easier.
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Simon B
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Re: Going for a bit of a cosmetic refresh.

Post by Simon B » Thu Feb 25, 2021 8:51 pm

Thanks Metrics

I have seen some of the LPT paint on you tube and might give it a go on this part. If worst comes to the worst and I am not happy with it then I can replace the parts anyway which I was planning to do so only really lost the cost of the paint I suppose.

The ceramic is DIY (Armour Shield IX). It looks fairly straightforward just need to take my time as with lots of things I suppose.

Thanks for the advice.
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Re: Going for a bit of a cosmetic refresh.

Post by hap » Thu Feb 25, 2021 10:02 pm

Hi Simon funnily enough I was looking at my cradle and it’s just like yours with chips n marks. Was it easy to remove the trim?

As Asim said I was wax man until I tried geyon cancoat it’s £35 and a little goes a long way just need a dry day no wind and 2nd coat within a few hours. Did my glass trim plastics and wheels. It keep dirt off and wheel now just pressure wash off and only slight agitation with brush. It’s still going strong need to wipe off quick panel at time
If your has been machine polished it will be right to apply the coating I am converted so if you can get the cancoat
Applied 17th Sept 2020 so 5 months just wash only
Only washed it back end of last week see pic
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Re: Going for a bit of a cosmetic refresh.

Post by Simon B » Thu Feb 25, 2021 11:21 pm

Hi Hap

The ceramic looks great, i hadn’t thought about doing the wheels. That’s a good shout. I am convinced it’s the way to go but as you say need the right day and weather.

The trim just clipped out really easy. A couple of cables to disconnect and then the whole thing comes out. Then the phone piece comes out with 4 screws.
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Re: Going for a bit of a cosmetic refresh.

Post by Aggie » Fri Feb 26, 2021 8:10 pm

Need to get some work done on mine this year, inside and out. Outside is just stone chipping and rectifying some poor touch-up pen work by previous owners. I'm planning to take her to Leather Restorations near Newbury for an internal spruce up, especially the leather.
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Re: Going for a bit of a cosmetic refresh.

Post by Aggie » Fri Feb 26, 2021 8:12 pm

P.s. My steering wheel needs some serious love and attention. :( :( :(
Regards
Lee Agutter
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Re: Going for a bit of a cosmetic refresh.

Post by Simon B » Fri Feb 26, 2021 10:43 pm

I did my steering wheel with a really good refurb kit. I will dig it out and let you know where I got it from
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Re: Going for a bit of a cosmetic refresh.

Post by Simon B » Sat Feb 27, 2021 10:23 am

So I have decided to give it a go with the restoration of the interior console parts. I have seen the colorbond LVP paint and the BMW black colour code is 258. I am assuming this is the same for the Alpina as it seems to be a standard E46 part.

Problem now is that I can’t seem to find any of the paint anywhere in the right BMW black colour. I have read somewhere the manufacturer only sell it directly and on their website it shows only delivery in the US and Canada. Does anyone have any experience of doing this and know of an alternative product that does the same thing from another manufacturer.

If not I might contact the company in the US and ask them about international shipping but though I would check here first.
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Re: Going for a bit of a cosmetic refresh.

Post by Simon B » Wed Mar 03, 2021 2:31 pm

So here is the latest update on my centre console

I have tried to get some of the Colorfast paint in the UK but no one has it. I have even contacted Colorfast in the US to see if they will ship it to the UK but they wont.

So I went back to the drawing board and revisited replacing the parts with OEM parts which was always my preferred option but I didnt need the full phone parts. Then in a moment of genius I discovered that the part I want is actually in 2 parts (see pics)

So now I can order the part I need (The one pictured on its own)and it is £38 including VAT. I can then fit this together with all of the original phone parts which are ok and all should be good to go back in the car.

If anyone is interested (I know HAP mentioned having a similar issue with your console) the part number is 51 16 711 0646. for mine which is black.

Parts come on Friday from Sopers in Lincoln along with the other parts I need for the centre console.

Next step will be to get the seats out and clean those up but that will have to wait until the weather has improved and the hard top is off.
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console 2.jpg
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console 1.jpg
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Re: Going for a bit of a cosmetic refresh.

Post by Simon B » Wed Mar 03, 2021 2:39 pm

Aggie wrote:
Fri Feb 26, 2021 8:12 pm
P.s. My steering wheel needs some serious love and attention. :( :( :(
Hi Aggie

I have fished out the Kit I bought for my steering wheel back in 2016. It was from a company called Colourlock. The actual kit was specifically a "Leather Steering Wheel Refresher Kit". It was about £25 but comes with all the things you need for the job including sanding pads etc.
I dont know if they still do those but expect they do. It did a great job for me and as I am refreshing my interior a bit I might do it again. I still have enough of the kit left I think.

Hope that helps
Simon B

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Re: Going for a bit of a cosmetic refresh.

Post by hap » Wed Mar 03, 2021 10:10 pm

Thanks for thAt simon 40 quid worth spending to freshen up
I look fwd to install and finished pics

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Re: Going for a bit of a cosmetic refresh.

Post by JohnW » Sat Mar 06, 2021 8:59 pm

For the plastics I’ve just used an acrylic primer and some Simoniz acrylic Matt Black on the gear shift plastic surround, centre trim of the steering wheel and a few of the dash parts, I’ll also be spraying up the mirror switch surround on the drivers door. Looks better than that peeling rubbery stuff.
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