Is there an option or a kit that the dealership can install to replace the chrome rings around the A/C vents and instrument gauges? Too bright for my taste. I'd prefer carbon fiber or flat black.
Too much bling on dash
- Thread starter Scramblin_Jim
- Start date
Ken04
New Member
you probably have the upgraded interior. The rings should come off. The base car's interior was all black. The upgraded interior has aluminum dash panels and bright trim. I've seen carbon fiber-look dash kits for sale. Latemodelresto has them I think.
Ken04
New Member
ah, well now I know, thanks. We've had our car for almost a month, still learning what is and what aint. One thing it is; my favorite car ever, V6 included. 28 mpg, almost sufficient power (it's getting there slowly but surely) and probably the best body style ever after the Ford GT. Still turns heads, love it.
I look on those shiny rings as unnecessary and offensive, too; Gave a little tug on one of the A/C vents and it popped right out. If I can't figure out how the rings come off the tube, I'll just paint them still mounted. My experience with "flat black" is that it looks gray after application. Krylon has a nice "Semi Flat Black" that looks darker, and even though still semi-shiny, seems a good compromise.
Thanks for the suggestions. I had not come to that just yet, but may consider it. I'm just afraid that from my previous experiences with paint on chrome (my old rust Jeep CJ-8), it doesn't stick that well and with time will wear off. I don't mind doing it but I hate have to go back over something I did a short time prior. That is why I was looking for replacements.
Had mine a month now as well. Darn car payment details and the metal license plate came in the mail today! Guess its not new now
After having a 92 Volvo wagon as my daily driver for 2-years I can say this car is one of my all time favorites. Handling and response are great. I like the V6 & 5-speed and for my needs and pocket book is very adequately powered. In fact I'm resisting putting anything on it to boost the power for fear of my teen age daughter getting into trouble with it in a few years from now when we have to let her drive (boy, I think I am loosing control already
Ken04
New Member
that's the great thing about being a hot rodder, if you don't like something, change it. I have the upgraded trim on my dash, with the aluminum panels so the chrome looks good to me, but then I like chrome. Maybe some pinstriping tape around the outside/inside of the ring would take away at least some of the chrome glare ? It comes in lots of different widths. Window tint film ? Cut out an O and wrap it around and trim to fit ?
Darken that bling
While cleaning around the storage shed I found an MGB grill I had blacked out in 1967. I had bought a sheet of Scotchcal® vinyl, laid it over the grill bars, slit and folded it for full contact, heated to conform to the curved surfaces. Just like in a Car and Driver article showing how they did it to the external mirrors and other chrome trim on a (yellow?) Mercedes Benz. After 25 years on the MG and a few more in the shed, the grill still cleaned up nicely and the material remains stuck to the metal, like paint.
Looking around the commercial site where I bought some supplies a little earlier this year showed the same brand name is available for relatively less money than back then, in your choice of colors including matte black:
http://www.beacongraphics.com/3m-7125-15.html
http://www.3m.com/product/f_index.html
Now it's a question of "How much money and effort is it worth to blank the bling?" Or, if you are an entrepreneur, how much demand is there for an exchange program: "Send your chromies, we'll return a set already matte-blackened (or other-colored) with time-tested Scotchcal® vinyl"?
While cleaning around the storage shed I found an MGB grill I had blacked out in 1967. I had bought a sheet of Scotchcal® vinyl, laid it over the grill bars, slit and folded it for full contact, heated to conform to the curved surfaces. Just like in a Car and Driver article showing how they did it to the external mirrors and other chrome trim on a (yellow?) Mercedes Benz. After 25 years on the MG and a few more in the shed, the grill still cleaned up nicely and the material remains stuck to the metal, like paint.
Looking around the commercial site where I bought some supplies a little earlier this year showed the same brand name is available for relatively less money than back then, in your choice of colors including matte black:
http://www.beacongraphics.com/3m-7125-15.html
http://www.3m.com/product/f_index.html
Now it's a question of "How much money and effort is it worth to blank the bling?" Or, if you are an entrepreneur, how much demand is there for an exchange program: "Send your chromies, we'll return a set already matte-blackened (or other-colored) with time-tested Scotchcal® vinyl"?
Now that is an interesting solution. My concern is with the tight radius of the various pieces, how does the product keep from wrinkling during application? I am also assuming that once applied it can be simply peeled off if damaged or if a mistake is made during installation.
The product I had in 1967 acted like shrink-to-fit insulation familiar in electronics assembly: cut it a bit too big, get it in the right position, heat, and voilá, second-skin-like.
I'm not certain which of the current 3M products acts like that, but it's a reasonable bet one of them does.
I'm not certain which of the current 3M products acts like that, but it's a reasonable bet one of them does.
