Repainting the wood effect dash...

Dave'z3 · Post by **Dave'z3** » Tue 26 Apr, 2011 12:54

Hey all!

Ok, so at 24 years old I'm definitely on the younger end of the scale when it comes to z3 ownership. I love my car, but I can't help feeling that the classic wood effect style centre console is a bit (dare I say) old for me. Can I get some advice on how I could change it please? As I'm a bit begrudged to sand it down and just re-paint it.

Thanks in advance!

Dave

J1SUA · Post by **J1SUA** » Tue 26 Apr, 2011 15:07

I would take it out and take it to a body shop to have it professionally painted in Piano black. Friend did this in his E46 330 which came with the 'vood effekt'

I have seen some people wrap them in Carbon 3M but it is tough and time consuming to get the perfect finish. Also not sure what it would be like in the summer - i.e glue get soft and it starts to peel for example.

Dave'z3 · Post by **Dave'z3** » Tue 26 Apr, 2011 17:48

Thanks J1SUA, I was thinking about taking it to a bodyshop. But then I figured that if im going to do that then there cant be much harm in trying to do it myself. Ive seen other people painting it, but never from the wood effect.

Thanks for the reply

jontymo · Post by **jontymo** » Tue 26 Apr, 2011 17:57

Somebody paid over £600 for that dash when new

I have kept mine as it goes with the retro theme. LOL

-Chris- · Post by **-Chris-** » Tue 26 Apr, 2011 18:05

Dave

Have a look here for a rough guide:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showth ... p?p=631115

I've just painted the walnut console on mine matt black, it's a perfect match with the other black bits (handbrake area etc) - will try to find the paint i used and let you know the brand.

Once the centre console is out, you can remove the walnut part. Sand down with fine sandpaper (I used 1200), prime and paint with a few coats of matt black.

Chris

Dave'z3 · Post by **Dave'z3** » Tue 26 Apr, 2011 18:32

jontymo - I know its an extra and a few of my friends like it, but it doesn't feel right when I look at it. Really want it to be personal to me aswell.

Thanks loads Chris. Its what I was thinking I would need to do but didn't have the confidence to do it! I'm either thinking silver or black.

Titan · Post by **Titan** » Tue 26 Apr, 2011 18:44

Dave'z3 wrote:I'm either thinking silver or black.

What about "pale red" ? ...

It can be done, just take your time

Dave'z3 · Post by **Dave'z3** » Tue 26 Apr, 2011 19:42

Titan wrote: What about "pale red" ? ...

It can be done, just take your time

You keep trying to get me to go...."pale red" really cant see it happening though! I'll probably get on it this weekend will do a step by step and write up to help others!

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Tue 26 Apr, 2011 19:43

You could do worse than something like this if the wood effect really bothers you,

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-Z4-Z3-RHD-LHD ... 56408e94f2

Alternatively swallow and get the proper bits from BMW.

A bit unsure about painting interior dash panels

Tim.

Dave'z3 · Post by **Dave'z3** » Tue 26 Apr, 2011 19:48

Thanks for the link Tim, did you get your one from BMW?

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Tue 26 Apr, 2011 19:58

Dave'z3 wrote:Thanks for the link Tim, did you get your one from BMW?

No probs Dave, no mine is original factory install, which is the brushed aluminium, you could try a breakers as well

Tim.

Dave'z3 · Post by **Dave'z3** » Tue 26 Apr, 2011 20:02

Looks great! Yours was the car that made me want silver in the interior trim I checked a breakers last weekend but no luck.

Sheri3663 · Post by **Sheri3663** » Tue 26 Apr, 2011 20:24

Do u have any pics?
I get what you mean about some parts of the interior looking a little aged (please don't hurt me for saying that).
I'm 24 as well and bought my first Zed a few weeks ago. It has a beige interior which im getting used to but it is VERY BEIGE! I'm changing the centre console between the seats so that it is all black.
Have you thought about carbon fibre wrapping? If your going to have to remove the parts to get sprayed any way you may as well give some ideas a try. Then if you beggar it up it doesn't matter as the garage will sort it out any way.

Post by **Robert T** » Tue 26 Apr, 2011 20:37

The proper BMW wood dash is real wood, not "wood effect". It would seem a shame to do something as drastic as painting it to hide it. I think you would get a lot better finish if you replaced the whole panel with a secondhand one. As long as you get a facelift one to match your facelifted car, you can take your pick from what is on offer - aluminium finish etc.

Cheers R.

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Tue 26 Apr, 2011 20:45

Dave'z3 wrote:Looks great! Yours was the car that made me want silver in the interior trim I checked a breakers last weekend but no luck.

Cheers Dave, you can also try http://www.fabdirect.com/

They have the occasional Zed in

Tim.

Dave'z3 · Post by **Dave'z3** » Tue 26 Apr, 2011 21:43

Sheri3663 - My dash looks like this:

Its not that it looks worn or is in bad condition. Its that it doesn't look like a young persons car and I'm more into contemporary interiors going from a new shape mini. Also I was actually JUST looking at the carbon fiber wraps and they do look really good - but have kept in mind what J1SUA said about the glue going bad in the heat...which is a worry as my roof is pretty much constantly down. - PS Nice to see a fellow "young'un" in a z3!

Robert T - I know what you're saying - I didn't realise it was actual wood...I will probably keep it till I find a replacement one and then I'll try to sell it to someone that will appreciate it as its in immaculate condition - just not my style.

Tim - You're like an oracle! I've bookmarked that site and will keep an eye on it.

Thanks everyone for your replies! Has really helped me.

Regards,

Dave

Sheri3663 · Post by **Sheri3663** » Wed 27 Apr, 2011 08:52

I do have those pieces spare in black that I'm taking out of my car.
The area with the dials is in great condition.

Mr Silver · Post by **Mr Silver** » Wed 27 Apr, 2011 09:21

Hi Dave, we met at Ragtops gig in Kent, april. Maybe look here for classy ideas: http://www.pogiparts.de/index.php?cPath=31.

Best regards

Z3cade · Post by **Z3cade** » Wed 27 Apr, 2011 10:02

i think your best option would be to buy some second hand pannels in the colour you want.
I colour coded mine in topaz as is was all black and abit boring.... took some graft but was well worth it

Z3C · Post by **Z3C** » Wed 27 Apr, 2011 12:28

I've been thinking of doing the exact same mod at some point. I too think that the tacky wood decoration, which looks nothing like wood, doesn't belong in a Z3.

My own plan is to wrap the console panels in a carbon fibre film. I think it should be pretty easy because of the shape of the panels. Here is a good thread on the issue (also see referenced links):

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh ... ?t=1389295

The result look pretty decent to me!

What are your plans concerning the gear knob and the hand brake handle?

Dave'z3 · Post by **Dave'z3** » Wed 27 Apr, 2011 12:56

Sheri3663 - Do you have any photos of your interior? as i would be interested in grabbing them off you.

Mr Silver - Of course I remember, you had the Grey zed and offered my girlfriend a scarf as i don't have a wind deflector! That site is great, although my zed is my every day car...so I wouldn't really want to be driving it around with no centre console. But I've bookmarked it for when I have a spare one.

z3cade - I remember your dash from your gallery post. Looks great! I hadn't thought of painting it before that and then got the silver look off Tim, although now I'm also thinking of maybe putting my name on it or some other personal touch...taking more thought over that and will test it out on photoshop before I actually do it.

Z3C - I read through that last night, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't very tempted by that as it looks really good! Still have to make a decision on it. As for the gear knob and handbrake, I was thinking of either chrome /brushed aluminium or leather - depending on what finish/colour I go for...Carbon fibre = Chrome/brushed aluminium, Black paint - Chrome/black leather, Silver - Black leather...SO many options, its one of the main reasons I was so excited about getting one as that means I can put my own personal touch on it.

Thanks (again) for the advice/interest!

Dave

Buz007 · Post by **Buz007** » Wed 27 Apr, 2011 15:57

Hellooo,

This may be a long shot but i Have a black dash (would be willing to swap for sheri's beige)

AND a black centre console which i'm wanting in wood effect (there are some pics up to see if its the same??

BUZ

Z3C · Post by **Z3C** » Wed 27 Apr, 2011 16:14

Dave'z3 wrote: Z3C - I read through that last night, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't very tempted by that as it looks really good! Still have to make a decision on it. As for the gear knob and handbrake, I was thinking of either chrome /brushed aluminium or leather - depending on what finish/colour I go for...Carbon fibre = Chrome/brushed aluminium, Black paint - Chrome/black leather, Silver - Black leather...SO many options, its one of the main reasons I was so excited about getting one as that means I can put my own personal touch on it.
Dave

Ok. If you decide to go for the carbon replica film and beat me in putting it in, I'd love to get some feedback regarding the installation. Offcource I'll let you know about my own experience if I'll be first. Just don't know when that will be. So many mods, so little time...

Dave'z3 · Post by **Dave'z3** » Wed 27 Apr, 2011 18:05

Buz007 wrote: AND a black centre console which i'm wanting in wood effect (there are some pics up to see if its the same??

BUZ

My console is different to your dash, otherwise i would have defiantly gone for that.

Z3C - I'll deffo send you a PM with my thread if/when I do it...Scouts honour!

Z3C · Post by **Z3C** » Thu 15 Dec, 2011 10:06

Progress update (as promised):

I finally got around to start my interior & audio project this autumn. For the interior the plan is to wrap the center console trim panels in carbon fibre vilyl film and replace the shift and handbrake knobs.

A couple of days ago I received a 3M 1080 series carbon fibre film so my project is now moving forward. Here is a couple of pics before and after wrapping.
http://s1098.photobucket.com/albums/g36 ... 20console/

I think the outcome is pretty decent eventhough I never worked with this kind of vinyl film before. The most difficult part was cutting the film to match all the edges and especially around the sigared lighter and the little panels around the controls.

The 3M vinyl film is really impressive material. I dont know about the possible problems on hot sunny day (mentioned earlier) but if I'll have any problems, I can always just remove the film and return the panel to its original appearance.

The cost of this mod (so far): ~20e

Badman gee · Post by **Badman gee** » Thu 15 Dec, 2011 10:47

looks very nice, a lot better than the wood finish.

I have the wood effect in my rover, and it suits that.

I don't think it suits the zeds imho.

mark