[EuroKip]

Spent countless hours weighing the pros and cons of the seemingly endless options decisions when doing the build order. After nearly a year I still feel I nearly got it right.

The idea of not selecting the Brushed Aluminum Trim may have been overlooked.
So the question is this : I’m thinking of taking some fine grit wet/dry sandpaper to my trim in hopes of getting the look.
Does anyone think this will work ?

 

[garethmat]

Spent countless hours weighing the pros and cons of the seemingly endless options decisions when doing the build order. After nearly a year I still feel I nearly got it right.

The idea of not selecting the Brushed Aluminum Trim may have been overlooked.
So the question is this : I’m thinking of taking some fine grit wet/dry sandpaper to my trim in hopes of getting the look.
Does anyone think this will work ?

Sorry, I think this is a terrible idea... the standard trim is really just plastic, I'm fairly certain you will ruin it if you take sandpaper to it. If you really don't like the standard trim I understand you can buy the aluminimum trim pieces from 3rd party suppliers to replace. I wouldn't recommend doing anything else, but in my opinion the standard trim is fine.

 

[718Niko]

Agreed - the base trim is plastic - you'll ruin it, and doesnt sound to be too difficult to retro fit -

I have the Aliminum trim - love it, worth doing right !

 

[EuroKip]

Well , that did take long to sort out. Thanks to both for the quick reply. It’s this sort of thing that makes these forums great. Agree not to tamper. The search for the real thing then.

 

[winter.zed]

Try this for brushed aluminum look: Aluminum Brushed Steel
If you want to go "carbon fibre" look - this Epoxy Gloss Black Carbon ( Interior Use Only ) is very good. Looks almost real.
Not hard to do. All you need is youtube and patience.

 

[InTgr8r]

Try this for brushed aluminum look: Aluminum Brushed Steel
If you want to go "carbon fibre" look - this Epoxy Gloss Black Carbon ( Interior Use Only ) is very good. Looks almost real.
Not hard to do. All you need is youtube and patience.

JMO, but wraps still have a long way to go to look like the real thing.
I tried the Vvivid Carbon wrap and it looked OK but still not real enough.
I removed it after a week.

 

[winter.zed]

Yes, but the hundreds of $$ that are being charged for real carbon fiber may not be worth it. I did say "almost real" though
I sampled many of vivid's wraps in the past 3 years, including 3 other "carbon" wraps they sell. Most of them look really bad, but the one I linked above is actually pretty good.
Personally, I just painted my trim (dash trim, rollbar cover and center console) white, to match the car, and the steering wheel trim satin black.
That fake aluminum-like plastic that comes from the factory looks horrible. Just as bad as an average wrap would. And I really hated the reflections off it when driving top down.

 

[xhyphenx]

Spent countless hours weighing the pros and cons of the seemingly endless options decisions when doing the build order. After nearly a year I still feel I nearly got it right.

The idea of not selecting the Brushed Aluminum Trim may have been overlooked.
So the question is this : I’m thinking of taking some fine grit wet/dry sandpaper to my trim in hopes of getting the look.
Does anyone think this will work ?

Suncoast has a brushed kit on sale.

Brushed Aluminum Dash Kit - 991/981/718

Buy that kit, and then put yours up for sale on ebay, on here, or on Rennlist. Someone is bound to pick it up.

 

[InTgr8r]

Yes, but the hundreds of $$ that are being charged for real carbon fiber may not be worth it. I did say "almost real" though
I sampled many of vivid's wraps in the past 3 years, including 3 other "carbon" wraps they sell. Most of them look really bad, but the one I linked above is actually pretty good.
Personally, I just painted my trim (dash trim, rollbar cover and center console) white, to match the car, and the steering wheel trim satin black.
That fake aluminum-like plastic that comes from the factory looks horrible. Just as bad as an average wrap would. And I really hated the reflections off it when driving top down.

I had high hopes for that Vvivid wrap.
It is quite good for a wrap but I just kept looking at it and thinking it didn't quite cut it.

I agree about the alternatives; real gets expensive in a hurry.
I'm actually considering doing the same as you.

Did you paint your own trim?

 

[winter.zed]

Did you paint your own trim?

Yes, BUT - wouldn't do it again. I had two cracks at it, because I messed-up the first one at the very last coat of clearcoat spraying - of course....
Strongly advise against using spay cans - unless you are really good with cans and know what you are doing (works for smaller pieces but would be very difficult for larger pieces - like roll-bar cover)
Find somebody with a spray gun and suitable, well ventilated space.
The least fun "mod" I ever did to my 718, and I did quite a few over the past 2+years.

 

[InTgr8r]

I know exactly what you mean.
I did some trim on a previous car and it’s a lot of work to get it right with rattle cans.

 

[MLJJ]

There are many sub-threads on interior trim so I just picked one to ask. I've ordered 3M Matte vinyl to cover rear facing OEM plastic aluminum trim. Started prodding around today with trim tools and found much difficulty on either side of the steering wheel. I was hesitant to pull/yank too hard given they are plastic parts. Not much available online except stills and some vague guidance. Any help from those that have wrapped areas on either side of steering wheel and cup holder area would be appreciated.

 

[BB718]

The problem with the silver trim is not having it on the doors, makes it look incomplete

Just adding the gauge rings makes a big difference

Some have painted the trim and some have wrapped it but when you look at the door trim it's still not done (incomplete)

I went the real carbon fiber way, including the doors and window switches. The steering wheel was the cherry on the cake

 

[MLJJ]

There are many sub-threads on interior trim so I just picked one to ask. I've ordered 3M Matte vinyl to cover rear facing OEM plastic aluminum trim. Started prodding around today with trim tools and found much difficulty on either side of the steering wheel. I was hesitant to pull/yank too hard given they are plastic parts. Not much available online except stills and some vague guidance. Any help from those that have wrapped areas on either side of steering wheel and cup holder area would be appreciated.

Well, that was a failure, but only $25 bucks lost. Got the 1080 3m wrap and attempted one trim piece. Despite applying heat, I couldn't get it around the corners without creases. On to the next potential solution. FYI

 

[mlehrian]

The problem with the silver trim is not having it on the doors, makes it look incomplete

Just adding the gauge rings makes a big difference

Some have painted the trim and some have wrapped it but when you look at the door trim it's still not done (incomplete)

I went the real carbon fiber way, including the doors and window switches. The steering wheel was the cherry on the cake

View attachment 26886

View attachment 26888

View attachment 26889

Love the door panels. They look great! I don’t have the full leather so don’t have trim on my door panels either. My interior is full beige, though, and I don’t think carbon fiber would look good with it. I was actually thinking about swapping out the dash trim for wood, but I can’t do that with the door panels.

 

[BB718]

Let me give you an idea I had before going with the carbon fiber

Insert blue painter tape inside the indentation of the door trim, with a pencil make an outline. Transfer the tape to a pc of thin pvc board. Cut the board to the outline of the tape but keep in mind to leave and extra 1/16" or so for a nice tight fit. You may have to trim but it would be easier to sand the edges by hand. Once you're happy with fitment use a heat gun so it can take that form, be careful not to heat up the door and cause damage. Pvc just needs a little heat. Then you can find a wrap in wood and wrap all the trim you would like having your door trim match.

Many years ago we did this with custom stereo work when different pattern for inlays was needed.

It's not hard to do but it does take a little time, I would say 1 hour to create each door trim. A good upholstery shop can do this too.

Something else we use to do instead of vinyl wrap was wrap the trim in suede. I'm sure a nice brown suede would look great against your beige interior.

I hope this helps and if you decide to do it please send me pics

Excuse my mind it's just filled with custom crap 🤪

 

[Ksdaoski]

View attachment 26886

Old post....not related....but did you remove the Gauge Cover and wrap in red leather? Or did it come that way?