Center console aluminum replacement or...?

2

20ducks

Lifer
My aluminum center console piece has small dents and non-removeable marks on it suitable for replacement. I've read that to remove and replace this part is major surgery. Ebay has a few of the replacement part for a reasonable price but wanted to ask is this a worthy project or should I consider getting one of the overlays that will hide the blemishes? I have seen some of the overlays, one was on Ovrkll's dash and center console, it looked really good. I wanted to get some comments on this project please.

Thank you,
Greg
 
Hey, Ducks, the overlay on mine did not cover the aluminum pieces, just the black plastic. I would look at a replacement or maybe that "dip print" process :)
 
ovrkll said:
Hey, Ducks, the overlay on mine did not cover the aluminum pieces, just the black plastic. I would look at a replacement or maybe that "dip print" process :)
Click to expand...

What/who/where do I look up shops that perform the "dip print" process. btw, if the large pieces were done to the same quality as your overlays, I would be happy, wouldn't you?
 
I have some scratches on mine as well but after reading and seeing what is involved I figured I would just have to live with it. I see a lot of talk about the dip print finish but why not just have it professionally painted at a body shop in either flat or glossy black? I might attempt to do mine this summer in all flat black with some areas exposing the brushed aluminum underneath. The problem I have is what design to do. I might try to photoshop some to see what looks good.
 
The center console pieces are available off eBay for around $100~150, the others are much more expensive. I figured that if I am going to replace the center piece, maybe I want to replace the other ones as well. And maybe I want to stick a fork in my eye too. I'm tending toward overlays...
 
can we see yours ovrkll please, i have a spare set and am wondering if a carbon wrap would suit ???
 
Taking the whole center console apart is a long process, and involves some very non-intuitive steps. You NEED the BMW TIS instructions. Really. You don't want to try to figure this out on your own, or you'll break something.

With instructions, it took me about 4 hours to remove the center console to get to the point where I could remove the 28 screws that hold down the trim piece. And about 1 hour (maybe less) to put it all back together.

Sorry, I didn't take pictures for most of the process.
 
Louv said:
Taking the whole center console apart is a long process, and involves some very non-intuitive steps. You NEED the BMW TIS instructions. Really. You don't want to try to figure this out on your own, or you'll break something.

With instructions, it took me about 4 hours to remove the center console to get to the point where I could remove the 28 screws that hold down the trim piece. And about 1 hour (maybe less) to put it all back together.

Sorry, I didn't take pictures for most of the process.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the encouragement....I'm leaning hard to getting the overlays. But before I do that...anyone know who does this "dip print" process???
 
All I know was that it was an Italian gentleman/company. May want to PM the person that started that thread and you may get some info :idunno:
 
20ducks said:
The center console pieces are available off eBay for around $100~150, the others are much more expensive. I figured that if I am going to replace the center piece, maybe I want to replace the other ones as well. And maybe I want to stick a fork in my eye too. I'm tending toward overlays...
Click to expand...

Like this?

MATS427040309.jpg


We bought this off ebay for our (sold) 2003 Z4. They offer several colors and design. They will also send you samples.
Applies on in minutes with double side 3M tape - instead of a whole day of pain replacing the OEM!. I didn't use all the pieces. Stayed nice over the 3.5 years I owned it.
:oldman:
Best!
Jack
 
20ducks said:
Louv said:
Taking the whole center console apart is a long process, and involves some very non-intuitive steps. You NEED the BMW TIS instructions. Really. You don't want to try to figure this out on your own, or you'll break something.

With instructions, it took me about 4 hours to remove the center console to get to the point where I could remove the 28 screws that hold down the trim piece. And about 1 hour (maybe less) to put it all back together.

Sorry, I didn't take pictures for most of the process.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the encouragement....I'm leaning hard to getting the overlays. But before I do that...anyone know who does this "dip print" process???
Click to expand...

I agree with "Louv" + + + ! I changed my OEM Aluminum for OEM Maderia Wood and it was a pain. I did take many pics and will be happy to share with someone serious about tackeling this. Best to send you a CD.

It's not fun!

:oldman:
Best!
Jack
 
JackB1 said:
20ducks said:
The center console pieces are available off eBay for around $100~150, the others are much more expensive. I figured that if I am going to replace the center piece, maybe I want to replace the other ones as well. And maybe I want to stick a fork in my eye too. I'm tending toward overlays...
Click to expand...

Like this?

MATS427040309.jpg


We bought this off ebay for our (sold) 2003 Z4. They offer several colors and design. They will also send you samples.
Applies on in minutes with double side 3M tape - instead of a whole day of pain replacing the OEM!. I didn't use all the pieces. Stayed nice over the 3.5 years I owned it.
:oldman:
Best!
Jack
Click to expand...

Wow, that's actually kinda nice being unique and all..I hate my old weathered looking aluminum..
 
Nah....I think that an accidental bump would cause a highly visible scratch or mar on the expansive dash piece, so dip printing may not be the option I'm looking for.
 
Cover it with black velvet with little Elvis portrait prints on it. You will never even notice the dents after that :D
 
AlanL said:
Cover it with black velvet with little Elvis portrait prints on it. You will never even notice the dents after that :D
Click to expand...

Elvis black velvet eh?? Hmmm.. :lol:
 
Ski said:
JackB1 said:
MATS427040309.jpg
Click to expand...
Wow, that's actually kinda nice being unique and all..I hate my old weathered looking aluminum..
Click to expand...
From what I see this is not dip-print stuff...
It's some adhesive stuff over the aluminum trim (like this one: http://www.wooddashexperts.com/customer/home.php).
Regarding the dip print technique what will you get is something really similar to this (4th pic)
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=37399#p37453

If it's needed I can translate to you in Italian your questions to the company that made my work (but again, be aware of the shipping costs).

Right now they're doing a few small trims more for me (A/C rings and windows lifter trim).
I will have them ready in a couple of weeks, I hope.
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3662
 
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