Em needs help/advice

[Guest]

Hey guys, right question time.


There is a panel of plastic in my car:


It's the bit that looks white, sorry for the poor quality picture, that plastic is actually a horrid shade of grey and it's the only bit I really can't stand on my car.

Sandy suggested I spray it with plasti-kote or paint it with gloss but a friend of mine who's done a lot of interior work to his gp has said that this will damage the plastic and make it crack. He suggested I trim it with material, such as suede or leather. However, he told me that I'd have to remove most of the centre console and then snap, as in break, the clips off the plastic panel to remove it. I'm not keen on this at all and so I went searching for car interior people. I found one group not far from home called Krych Trimming. I emailed them asking how best I go about this and they said that they've never done any work on the new GP and I should go show them in person.

My friend did say it would cost about £150 to get it professionally done if they can do it at all and I was just wondering if anyone has any other ideas that I can do my self with out breaking anything (something which is so inevitable as it is)

Ta dudes x

[PuntoEm]

Hey guys, right question time.


There is a panel of plastic in my car:


It's the bit that looks white, sorry for the poor quality picture, that plastic is actually a horrid shade of grey and it's the only bit I really can't stand on my car.

Sandy suggested I spray it with plasti-kote or paint it with gloss but a friend of mine who's done a lot of interior work to his gp has said that this will damage the plastic and make it crack. He suggested I trim it with material, such as suede or leather. However, he told me that I'd have to remove most of the centre console and then snap, as in break, the clips off the plastic panel to remove it. I'm not keen on this at all and so I went searching for car interior people. I found one group not far from home called Krych Trimming. I emailed them asking how best I go about this and they said that they've never done any work on the new GP and I should go show them in person.

My friend did say it would cost about £150 to get it professionally done if they can do it at all and I was just wondering if anyone has any other ideas that I can do my self with out breaking anything (something which is so inevitable as it is)

Ta dudes x

[halfpint]

you can use flocking. you can get that from a craft shop it is similar to suede but no where near as expensive.

[PuntoEm]

Thanks Sandy, I'm not too worried about trimming it myself, it's just removing it, I was told I'd have to take out each part of the centre console and then break the clips on the plastic panel and then stick it back on with silicone sealant, sounds like a huge job and one which I no doubt will bodge knowing me 

[halfpint]

if you take it off carefully the clips shud be fine. there is a y-shaped tool you can get for them to help taking it off. not sure offhand where to get it but i'm sure someone on here does.

[PuntoEm]

alrighty thanks, I'm gona be going to a trimming place later to see what they say as their email said they've never had this kind of request but they said they'd take a lookie 

[PuntoEm]

Right, update time. I went to Krytch Trimming and they said that they could do it but they aren't prepared to take the panel off. They agreed I should ask my local mechanic for his advice. Krytch said that as long as it doesn't break when it comes out it should be fine but seeing as it's part of the dash it may well be a bigger job than I thought! (might just get some flowery wallpaper on it haha)

[halfpint]

that's an idea hehe

[charlie Fett]

thats that sorted 

[olgit]

Em are you any good wiv Blue Peter style sticky back plastic and a craft knife (being serious now) cos you can get stuff like that in sheets of different colors and carbon look in dare I say it HALTURDS Ripspeed department, or you could try and find a good company that dose that stuff Ive had mates who have used it and if you do it right it looks really good

[PuntoEm]

Em are you any good wiv Blue Peter style sticky back plastic and a craft knife (being serious now) cos you can get stuff like that in sheets of different colors and carbon look in dare I say it HALTURDS Ripspeed department, or you could try and find a good company that dose that stuff Ive had mates who have used it and if you do it right it looks really good

That's a good idea and probably doable but I doubt the outcome will be of a good standard cos the panel is rough effect so it will go bobbly

[charlie Fett]

I don't think on Blue Peter they would have used the term Halturds  

[olgit]

Na they would say make sure a adult say es  HALTURDS for you,  like make sure a adult uses sharp knifes and scissors for you when making fings  like a Blue Peter nuclear missile made from sticky back plastic

[Username taken]

What you want is one of thse -> http://www.fine-tools.co.uk/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Session_ID=5edcaab90c4d508b67c222f05f5d3d68&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=PP-WST05&Category_Code=031 If you're careful there'll be no need to break the clips. I should imagine there's a few bolts holding that fascia on as well.

[halfpint]

cool ben that's what i was trying to find for emily. cheers mate. and you can choose between  red or blue too.

[PuntoEm]

ah ta Ben, I know what you mean now Sandy. It's something I'll deffo consider.

Sandy mentioned painting it, but i've been told it will damage the plastic, can anyone clarify this?