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Dash trim dilemma
- thanatu55
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1452
- Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2016 4:50 pm
Dash trim dilemma
This was supposed to be a simple one in - one out - job done. But I've been stopped in my tracks by cursed indecision
I thought I'd freshen up my heavily marked brushed aluminium trim with a much less marked brushed aluminium interior trim. I've had both out and thoroughly cleaned them up with the jet wash so the following photos are as good as they're going to get.
My dilemma is that the new replacement trim isn't quite as bright and shiny as the original one, with more emphasis on the brushed effect than the flatter original. I assume this means the replacement is pre-facelift while mine is post-facelift, though I had believed that both were post-facelift being from 2006 and 2007 models. I'm a bit disappointed that by going ahead with the replacement I am sacrificing that shiny silver for a duller finish, neither are perfect but the original is considerably less than perfect.
So I need a second / third and fourth opinion to make my mind up. I'm 99% sure everyone will go with the tidier replacement but I need that kick up the a*$E to suck it up and make a decision. Keep in mind it's not so easy to pick up on camera. Also none of that damage was caused by me!
Original
Replacement
Colour and damage comparison
I thought I'd freshen up my heavily marked brushed aluminium trim with a much less marked brushed aluminium interior trim. I've had both out and thoroughly cleaned them up with the jet wash so the following photos are as good as they're going to get.
My dilemma is that the new replacement trim isn't quite as bright and shiny as the original one, with more emphasis on the brushed effect than the flatter original. I assume this means the replacement is pre-facelift while mine is post-facelift, though I had believed that both were post-facelift being from 2006 and 2007 models. I'm a bit disappointed that by going ahead with the replacement I am sacrificing that shiny silver for a duller finish, neither are perfect but the original is considerably less than perfect.
So I need a second / third and fourth opinion to make my mind up. I'm 99% sure everyone will go with the tidier replacement but I need that kick up the a*$E to suck it up and make a decision. Keep in mind it's not so easy to pick up on camera. Also none of that damage was caused by me!
Original
Replacement
Colour and damage comparison
Dash trim dilemma
Just put the replacements in - the difference is marginal and unless one piece is directly next to another nobody's ever going to know (IMO) it's not original. It's good to strive for perfection but on this one I think you can be satisfied
- Russ59
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1670
- Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2009 4:49 pm
- Location: Mansfield Woodhouse
Dash trim dilemma
How the hell has it got damaged to that extent
2005, 3.0l Toledo Blue, sports seats, sports suspension, ZHP, MFSW,4 clear spot rear lights, clear side repeaters and third brake light , 19" AXE EX14 wheels, DIY carbon badges, interior parts gloss black wrapped, rear spoiler
- thanatu55
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1452
- Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2016 4:50 pm
Dash trim dilemma
Ha yeah I suppose I'm the only one who is going to notice, it's just me that is the problem! I think I'll suck it up and swap, putting those photos up has helped with the decision rather than stood outside keep swapping and changing. I didn't realise how bad mine was, I must have just gotten used to it.
- thanatu55
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1452
- Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2016 4:50 pm
Dash trim dilemma
I have no idea how it got like that! The centre console section in particular I cant think of anything that could cause it
- thanatu55
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1452
- Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2016 4:50 pm
Dash trim dilemma
The radio section has a sort of raised border that I haven't seen on any other Zed
- mr.tourette
- Lifer
- Posts: 4294
- Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 9:16 am
- Location: north wales
- tomscott
- Lifer
- Posts: 7474
- Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:26 pm
- Location: Manchester
- Contact:
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- Senior Member
- Posts: 1074
- Joined: Thu Aug 20, 2015 1:17 pm
Dash trim dilemma
Out of interest how did you get that off. I wanted to get mine covered in red leather to match the seats and door card.
- ph001
- Lifer
- Posts: 3870
- Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2016 5:53 pm
- Location: N. Yorkshire.
Dash trim dilemma
Interested in that too, is it a simple procedure?
- thanatu55
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1452
- Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2016 4:50 pm
Dash trim dilemma
It's a bit of a nightmare to do to be honest. For the centre console first you need to completely remove the rear centre console, which consists of two hidden screws at the base, four screws in the rear cupboard area, remove the top section which covers three long screws and two bolts.
Once that's off you've got a screw behind each knee pad and two more concealed screws in the middle. Remove the handbrake gaiter, remove the gear gaiter and surround, remove the ashtray and unplug everything behind it. Completely pull out the centre console, turn it upside down and remove maybe 15 - 20 screws, then it lifts off.
The dash part is a little easier. Two clips at the top of the air vents then remove them. Two screws to remove the radio. Two more screws in that area. A screw in the passenger air vent and remove that. Reach behind the dash trim there's a sort of anchor clip which can be tough to remove. Then the trim is held on by clips all the way along so it needs a pretty decent tug to get the whole thing off.
Yeah.... it's not very straight forward.
Once that's off you've got a screw behind each knee pad and two more concealed screws in the middle. Remove the handbrake gaiter, remove the gear gaiter and surround, remove the ashtray and unplug everything behind it. Completely pull out the centre console, turn it upside down and remove maybe 15 - 20 screws, then it lifts off.
The dash part is a little easier. Two clips at the top of the air vents then remove them. Two screws to remove the radio. Two more screws in that area. A screw in the passenger air vent and remove that. Reach behind the dash trim there's a sort of anchor clip which can be tough to remove. Then the trim is held on by clips all the way along so it needs a pretty decent tug to get the whole thing off.
Yeah.... it's not very straight forward.
Last edited by thanatu55 on Wed Oct 18, 2017 6:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- JINGLE
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2550
- Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2014 9:20 pm
- Location: Norwich, Norfolk
Dash trim dilemma
Best in mind once it’s beennleft for a while and dust etc builds up the shine will go anyway, go for the better condition replacement or wrap it?
- thanatu55
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1452
- Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2016 4:50 pm
Dash trim dilemma
Wrapping is one thing I can't do, I'm useless at it! Attempted and failed many many times to wrap that ledge piece on my rear bumper until I got frustrated and gave up.
I just about managed to get the replacement trim in before it went dark!
I just about managed to get the replacement trim in before it went dark!
- blackabbot
- Member
- Posts: 413
- Joined: Sat Feb 04, 2017 5:29 am
- Location: North Wales
Dash trim dilemma
2008, E85 2.0i sport, Titan Silver, Hardtop, ZHP Gear Knob, Chrome Exhaust Tip , Hydro Graphic Carbon Interior, DLV roof motor relocation and CDV delete and a Whippy
- JINGLE
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2550
- Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2014 9:20 pm
- Location: Norwich, Norfolk
Dash trim dilemma
Larger area is harder, surely the smaller pieces are easier? (I’ve not tried so don’t know lol)