More Z Projects

Christmas was good to the Z. Many projects were completed.
A. Materials- Roll of 5' x 20 feet of Semi Gloss Black, Flexible, Carbon Fiber Vinyl wrap.
I got a very good quality vinyl from Metro-Styling designed for both interior and exterior. On my Acura, with a lesser quality vinyl, I installed it in the engine compartment and was starting year #5 before selling it and it still looked great and was fully adhered.
This DIY takes cleaning, patience and practice, but is well worth it and the results can be excellent. Also as this is vinyl wrap, it leaves no residue after removal and everything wrapped is reversible.

Jobs:
1. Air Cleaner- CF wrapped around the BMW logo.

2. Air Intake- this was a multi step project but with a hair dryer used to heat the vinyl for shaping, allows compound curves to be installed. Not perfect but looks great.

3. New 68MM BMW Wheel Center caps- I custom cut the CF for covering the BMW Blue. DIY Removal- Si I did not chip the paint, to remove the Wheel Center Caps, I used a window suction cup. Wet the suction cut, press it fully on the center cap and give a quick firm pull and the caps pop right out.

4. BMW Roundels- front, both sides, rear and Steering wheel Roundels. I installed the Black CF over the BMW Blue.

5. CF Lamp Covers- Engine Compartment

5. Lower silver plastic Front Grills- this is my favorite.

B. Ash Grain Wood Dash Kit. I got this kit form CARID. The manufacturer was REMIN. They offered an exact OEM match to the Ash Grain in the Z. I purchased a sample for review before committing. I purchased the basic kit with 27 pieces. See attached schematic. I used 23 of the 27. This kit was designed around the base radio. I have the premium sound system with a different radio/CD player, so from my template, which I made, REMIN is making me a custom 2 price radio/cd kit. Pictures to follow.

This is my 3rd kit. For install DO NOT use the promoter pen suggested for small or curved pieces. It is not needed and it will stain the plastic where used, especially if you wanted to remove the kit or get it on any other surface in the car. This kit and all others that I have used from other companies, use 3M auto body tape to adhere the pieces to the dash and works perfect. This is my 3rd kit and I have never had a piece come loose.

Keys to the Install:
1. Clean, clean and clean again the surface of the plastic where the piece is to be installed with 70% Isopropyl alcohol. This is absolutely critical especially if Armor All or other silicone products have been used on the dash., like I used. I had to go over each section at least 8-10 times with clean alcohol to prep the surface.
Use the blue masking tape to test if the surface is ready. If the tape sticks, the surface is ready.

2. Pre fit the piece to verify fit.

3. KEY- use a hair dryer, heat gun, etc, to heat the piece and especially the 3M tape on the back, as well as warming the dash area for the installation. By heating the 3M tape before install, you have the ability to gently pull the piece off and re locate if needed.

4. For small pieces pull the protective tape off completely and install.

5. For larger pieces- I only pull off 1/4 of the tape so and leave a trailing edge of the red tape to continue after the piece is correctly located. Once the piece is partially installed you can lay the rest of it on the surface and jointly pull the backing tape off and install at the same time.

6. For installation, ,Ever so lightly lay the piece on the dash to verify location. DO NOT put any pressure on the piece, until you are happy with the location, fit and install.

7. After you are happy with the install, use, use a dot, lint free towel and the hair dryer and go over the piece lighting heating and applying pressure.
8. Removal- if you meed to remove the dash kit, again the use the hair dryer, heat the piece and pull from corner.

See attached before and after photos.

C. Real Carbon Fiber Door Sills- Install same as above.

I really like all the work you did and I can imagine it was very time consuming. Carbon fiber was a good choice, but not a fan of the wood grain look on the interior.

As I bought the Z used and it was fully loaded, I accepted the Ash Grain. I wanted to convert the interior to Carbon Fiber but there is not good kit to cover the wood without a hack job. I have learned to live with and like the Ash Grain. The new Dash Kit does make a world of differemce and gives the interior a rich feel