Steering wheel trim replacement real metal?

[JCF]

I've noticed that the trim on the steering wheel is starting to show signs of wear and was wondering if any enterprising vendors have considered making actual aluminum replacements that would match the rest of the aluminum trim?

I've seen posts on the forum where people have used plasti-dip, the massively overpriced carbon fiber trim replacements, and vinyl wrap. Anything else out there?

Can't find anything that is a middle ground. Replacing it with stock is about $200 for the same problem to crop up again, plasti-dip just seems like a temp fix to me.

[ZMCoupe]

Have you looked into Hydro Dipping? A member on here did a few bits from his interior and they looked very nice. Also when done professionally the pieces are given a few coats of clear which should help the longevity...

Check out Liquid Carbon Shop to see some examples. There are also many different patterns and colours to choose from. I messaged them and I think it was $20 for small pieces so you can probably do it all for relatively cheap... At least less than half what the replacements would cost

[Steeler]

Carbon dip
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthre...ight=dbarton62

[DanFromTucson]

Do they have to be carbon-look? I would be happy with black. Mine are suffering from normal wear as well, so I'm definitely interested in any rehabilitation ideas.

[StickMon]

Maybe just strip off the rubber?
When I replaced my trim I carefully stripped the rubber coating off the button pods with Goof Off.
Nice and shiny black now. Doesn't quite match the trim, but no more scratches.

[JCF]

Yeah that may be what I end up doing, but I was hoping an enterprising individual had come up with an alternate solution that was reasonable. 600 for real carbon fiber is too much and I'm not sold on hydro dipping being able to handle the abuse long term.

ECS sells OEM replacements for 170. Would love to have seen someone machine an aluminum solution for below 300. I'd buy it immediately.

[chickdr]

You could buy the OEM spokes for the non M cars which are aluminum look like the door handles. I have considered doing this for the same reason you stated(contrast to match the aluminum dash). They seem to be clear coated rather the rubber coated stuff the M's have so would be more durable. The only issue is the bottom spoke as it must be trimmed to fit(it can be done though).

[MC 357]

Any DIY on how to remove the trim?

[RADRACR]

That OEM rubber coating stuff is such a fail. Unbelievable actually.

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by StickMon

Maybe just strip off the rubber?
When I replaced my trim I carefully stripped the rubber coating off the button pods with Goof Off.
Nice and shiny black now. Doesn't quite match the trim, but no more scratches.

This. I did the same and looks 100x better than the peeling rubber.

[JCF]

I think I have some CF di-noc laying around. Might try that as a challenge with all the weird angles.

[Steeler]

Originally Posted by JCF

I think I have some CF di-noc laying around. Might try that as a challenge with all the weird angles.

I tried this before dipping

Looked good for a month put inevitably lifted in the corners

[JCF]

Originally Posted by dbarton62

I tried this before dipping

Looked good for a month put inevitably lifted in the corners

well crap. Thanks for saving me the time.

[antennahead]

Replaced the crappy peeling rubber with a set of these, color is called graphite. Not sure if you can still find that color at the vendors, but the regular silver also looks good.

[JCF]

yeah it may seem silly, but I like the little M-badge on the steering wheel. That's the only thing that is preventing me from ordering the silver trim pieces.

I'm also hunting around for a metal fabrication company here in Charlotte to see if they can make real aluminum trim pieces. I'm not optimistic on that but who knows.

[chickdr]

I kind of agree, but one thought is to get the silver spokes for the horizontal spokes and leave the bottom one black.

[yousefnjr]

aluminum foil wrap?

If you have the time, it probably wouldn't be too hard to make a mold out of them, and then make some out of whatever you wanted. It only takes a couple minutes to take them off the steering wheel, 1 screw in the back of each piece and the two halves unsnap

now the challenging part would be the buttons, those have the same rubber coating and are a PITA to wrap. Heat staked in place so you can't take it apart either, at least not easily


another thing to note is that if you choose to wrap, surface imperfections will show through a bit, so it's a good idea to remove the rubber coating in any case

[JCF]

Not looking to alter the buttons they're in perfect shape and yes they would be a giant PITA It's just the trim itself that has some scratches.

First step, regardless of the end solution, is to strip the rubber coating.

I'm wondering if some adhesive primer/activator would help prevent lifting of the corners with the dinoc

[AmmarYasirA]

I'm actually working on mine right now. Decided to diy but I'm having issues with paint and such..

I have mine completely taken apart and sanded down, painted once... But it was my first paint job and I didn't like it. Sanding it again and hopefully getting the paint right.

I'll kelp you guys updated and post a separate DIY soon.

[AmmarYasirA]

just finished!

sorry for the crap quality. will take better pics soon

[Vanne]

I did mine when I first got the car... 2 years or so ago, I used matt black, turned out a treat..





both pics after refurb..

def one of the best DIY's if you ask me.