|
|
SUPPORT ZPOST BY DOING YOUR TIRERACK SHOPPING FROM THIS BANNER, THANKS! |
Post Reply |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
08-30-2010, 02:08 PM | #1 |
Lieutenant Colonel
41
Rep 1,855
Posts |
DIY: Fix Peeling Plastic on Steering wheel
I got sick of looking at the flaking plastic coating next to the steering wheel controls. The previous owner lived in TX and apparently, the car has seen its fair share of sun. As a result, the plastic/rubber coating next to the steering wheel controls is all nicked up and peeling.
As an alternative to purchasing replacement plastic (160+ dollars---overpriced for plastic), I decided to remove the peeling rubber altogether and repaint the controls. I apologize for not taking pictures, but the steps are pretty straightforward. Tools needed: Allen key, 2000 grit sandpaper, Rougher sandpaper (500 grit?), Paint Step 1: remove the screws from the back. There are a total of 4, and can be removed with a small allen key. Step 2: Remove the back covers. The two on the side snap off pretty easily, but they're partially tucked behind the airbag cover, so you'll need to wiggle them out a little bit. Step 3: Take off the controls. Remove the wire connectors (1 on the left, 2 on the right one) from the controls and then pull them out. A little wiggling is necessary. Don't worry if you have to drive when the controls are off...No warning lights come on and the car functions fine without them. Step 4: Take off the remaining plastic pieces. Be careful as the left and right front pieces can be rather delicate and are tucked under the airbag cover. Step 5: Sand off the offending rubber pieces. I went to Autozone and bought some automotive sandpaper. I made sure there was some 2000 grit sandpaper in there as well. You'll want to remove the rubber coating with the heavier grit. In fact, remove most of the plastic down to its unpainted beige color if you can. Then, go in with the 2000 grit paper and smooth everything out. You'll need to make sure that EVERYTHING is smooth. Any imperfections will show up when you paint. Step 6: Cover the buttons with a piece of painters tape and use anx-acto knife around the buttons. Remove the tape around the buttons so that only the button surfaces are covered. Step 7: Paint. I used a black Matte paint. You can use whatever color you want. Make sure you paint evenly. Give it one coat and wait until it dries. Examine the pieces to see if there are any imperfections. I didn't sand enough with the 2000 grit paper and the paint really brought out the imperfections. I had to resand. Do it right the first time and you don't have to worry. If you're happy w/ the paint job, you're done painting. I gave my pieces an extra coating of paint when it dried. Step 7: Reattach the plastic in the reverse order and screw back together. Make sure the plastic pieces are snapped together perfectly before screwing them together. Pictures of the finished product are forthcoming.
__________________
///M Coupe: RPI Scoop, OE Strut, CDV, Volk RE30, SS Brake Lines, Stromung Exhaust |
08-30-2010, 07:31 PM | #2 |
Colonel
438
Rep 2,747
Posts |
Nice write-up.
It would be cool to see the finished product if you get a chance.
__________________
LINK TO 07 IR PHOTO JOURNAL:http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1303735
LINK TO 06 IB MOD JOURNAL:http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=403119 |
Appreciate
0
|
08-30-2010, 08:03 PM | #3 |
Second Lieutenant
54
Rep 255
Posts |
2000 grit sand paper wont get you anywhere lol.. you'll wanna start with some 120, then work your way up to some 400. Then, if your really anal some 600 would be OK (but not necessary) before paint.
If you are sanding with 2000 grit sand paper you are making a surface that is less likely for paint to adhere to and last through the treatment of your fingers. 2000 grit is actually used for removing fine scratches in clear coat, not surface prep. The rubber coating serves a purpose. Anyone that has heavily oily fingers, or uses lotion alot will notice the "rubber" coating peeling off faster, its not from the sun, trust me. Look at any Audi that a woman drives, you can tell exactly which buttons she presses all the time! |
Appreciate
0
|
08-30-2010, 09:52 PM | #4 |
Lieutenant Colonel
41
Rep 1,855
Posts |
^^ Like I said, I didn't do it, so I don't know what caused the rubber to peel, but the rubber was very degraded when I got it. You're probably right though---it seems that the area with the most hand contact were the most degraded (rubber peels / sands off easily)
The 2000 grit paper was used to smooth out the plastic surface. I noticed that areas that were not smoothed with the finer 2000 grit would reveal small scratches showing the rougher sanded areas. Your mileage may vary. I'm just an amateur! As with the paint coming off---we'll see. I figure repainting is cheaper than buying the pieces for $160+, even if the rubber does help prevent your hands from slipping.
__________________
///M Coupe: RPI Scoop, OE Strut, CDV, Volk RE30, SS Brake Lines, Stromung Exhaust |
Appreciate
0
|
08-31-2010, 01:27 PM | #5 |
Lieutenant General
2280
Rep 12,565
Posts
Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CT
iTrader: (99)
Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75]
E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.20] |
i think mine was a result from my finger nail (and they're not long, lol).
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-04-2010, 07:44 PM | #6 |
Member BMW CCA Los Angeles
32
Rep 470
Posts
Drives: 2022 M8 GC Comp
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Trabuco Canyon, CA
|
Warranty won't cover this? BMW was replacing the alcanterra steering wheels of the m3 zcp when they started to get matted.
__________________
Current Rides:
2022 ///M8 GC Comp Much enjoyed: 2018 ///M4 ZCP || 2014 ///M5 ZCP || 2011.5 ///M3 Sedan || 2007 ///M Coupe || 2008 550i Sport || 2006 ///M3 ZCP || 2008 X3 3.0si || 2006 325i || 2003 Z4 3.0 Roadster || 2003 330ci || 2002 325i |
Appreciate
0
|
01-25-2011, 10:39 PM | #8 |
Long Live the 1911
46
Rep 643
Posts
Drives: Hooptie
Join Date: May 2007
Location: USA
|
How is the painted steering wheel trim holding up? I was thinking of wrapping mine in CF fabric when I do the rest of the interior trim, but don't know if that would hold up well to sweat and moisture.
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-26-2011, 10:35 AM | #9 |
Lieutenant Colonel
41
Rep 1,855
Posts |
The painted steering wheel trim is holding up fine. Still looks as smooth and piano black as the day I did it. I think as long as the edges of your CF wrap arn't at a place where you touch often, it should hold up.
The trim area isn't a place of constant contact; I just think that the original rubber coating is very susceptible to degradation. CF wrap should be fine.
__________________
///M Coupe: RPI Scoop, OE Strut, CDV, Volk RE30, SS Brake Lines, Stromung Exhaust |
Appreciate
0
|
01-26-2011, 01:56 PM | #11 |
Long Live the 1911
46
Rep 643
Posts
Drives: Hooptie
Join Date: May 2007
Location: USA
|
Not covered under cpo warranty unfortunately.
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-26-2011, 02:21 PM | #12 |
Lieutenant
265
Rep 527
Posts |
I guess it's up to your SA really. I have read that some have gotten it covered under factory and cpo warranty and others haven't. I guess some of us get luckier than others. An odd fact... the controls section on both sides of the wheel is actually less expensive to replace than the trim pieces.
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-27-2011, 03:22 PM | #13 |
Colonel
190
Rep 2,431
Posts |
great idea thanks...and I agree that the wear is often caused by lotions and such.
on a side note, kind of embarrassed to share, but I hate it when my steering wheel gets sticky and there's build up(to the point where I rub my steering wheel down daily w/cleaner/conditioner) So I swtiched hand lotions from vaseline to cetaphil and lo and behold no more buildup or sticky wheel. Told you it was embarrassing
__________________
F80 m3, 997 gt3, 14 ram ctd, f15 x5, drz400sm Gone:z4m, boss 302, c6 z06, m6,z3m |
Appreciate
0
|
03-14-2011, 08:57 PM | #14 |
Major
88
Rep 1,090
Posts |
Thanks for the write up, I will probably take it apart and see what I can do.
Might wrap the pieces. That rubber coating is crap.
__________________
135i N54 manual
MR-S with a 2zz swap and mods Sold EVO X MR - Phantom Black - Ti Exhaust - Ti UICP - AQM Intake - Sold Z4 M Coupe - H&R - RE Diablo - RPi - Tekarbon - Sold |
Appreciate
0
|
03-15-2011, 01:19 AM | #15 |
Custom User Title
141
Rep 661
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-15-2011, 10:50 AM | #16 |
Major
23
Rep 1,034
Posts |
Mine are wrapped in silver CF, looks good on the silver spokes of my 3.0i
__________________
Straightaways are for fast cars, Corners are for fast drivers.
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-31-2011, 02:04 PM | #17 | |
New Member
0
Rep 6
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-31-2011, 03:10 PM | #18 |
Captain
73
Rep 820
Posts
Drives: 2007 Z4MR silver grey
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
|
If you want to replace it with the painted parts, you can do what I did. They will fit, although the bottom spoke is different than the M rubberized one. The parts I chose are called "graphite", a little more grey than the "chromeline" ones, but match the brushed aluminum very well.
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-31-2011, 04:37 PM | #20 |
Captain
30
Rep 740
Posts |
Antennahead, that looks real good! I'll have to add that to the list of mods in the future, as the previous owner scratched the heck out of the trim pieces and I think that color contrast looks good!
On a side note, I wonder if plastidip would yield a good and cheap alternative to a fix as well... |
Appreciate
0
|
07-31-2011, 06:14 PM | #22 | |
Captain
73
Rep 820
Posts
Drives: 2007 Z4MR silver grey
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
|
Quote:
John |
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|