Dash trim dilemma

thanatu55 · Post by **thanatu55** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 4:17 pm

This was supposed to be a simple one in - one out - job done. But I've been stopped in my tracks by cursed indecision

I thought I'd freshen up my heavily marked brushed aluminium trim with a much less marked brushed aluminium interior trim. I've had both out and thoroughly cleaned them up with the jet wash so the following photos are as good as they're going to get.

My dilemma is that the new replacement trim isn't quite as bright and shiny as the original one, with more emphasis on the brushed effect than the flatter original. I assume this means the replacement is pre-facelift while mine is post-facelift, though I had believed that both were post-facelift being from 2006 and 2007 models. I'm a bit disappointed that by going ahead with the replacement I am sacrificing that shiny silver for a duller finish, neither are perfect but the original is considerably less than perfect.

So I need a second / third and fourth opinion to make my mind up. I'm 99% sure everyone will go with the tidier replacement but I need that kick up the a*$E to suck it up and make a decision. Keep in mind it's not so easy to pick up on camera. Also none of that damage was caused by me!

Original

Replacement

Colour and damage comparison

EssexZed · Post by **EssexZed** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 4:24 pm

Just put the replacements in - the difference is marginal and unless one piece is directly next to another nobody's ever going to know (IMO) it's not original. It's good to strive for perfection but on this one I think you can be satisfied

Russ59 · Post by **Russ59** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 4:37 pm

How the hell has it got damaged to that extent

thanatu55 · Post by **thanatu55** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 4:40 pm

Ha yeah I suppose I'm the only one who is going to notice, it's just me that is the problem! I think I'll suck it up and swap, putting those photos up has helped with the decision rather than stood outside keep swapping and changing. I didn't realise how bad mine was, I must have just gotten used to it.

thanatu55 · Post by **thanatu55** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 4:42 pm

I have no idea how it got like that! The centre console section in particular I cant think of anything that could cause it

thanatu55 · Post by **thanatu55** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 4:45 pm

The radio section has a sort of raised border that I haven't seen on any other Zed

mr.tourette · Post by **mr.tourette** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 4:53 pm

get it hydrodipped and jobs a good un

tomscott · Post by **tomscott** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 5:10 pm

mr.tourette wrote: ↑Wed Oct 18, 2017 4:53 pm get it hydrodipped and jobs a good un

+1

Mike6 · Post by **Mike6** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 5:28 pm

Out of interest how did you get that off. I wanted to get mine covered in red leather to match the seats and door card.

ph001 · Post by **ph001** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 5:46 pm

Mike6 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 18, 2017 5:28 pm Out of interest how did you get that off. I wanted to get mine covered in red leather to match the seats and door card.

Interested in that too, is it a simple procedure?

thanatu55 · Post by **thanatu55** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 6:19 pm

It's a bit of a nightmare to do to be honest. For the centre console first you need to completely remove the rear centre console, which consists of two hidden screws at the base, four screws in the rear cupboard area, remove the top section which covers three long screws and two bolts.

Once that's off you've got a screw behind each knee pad and two more concealed screws in the middle. Remove the handbrake gaiter, remove the gear gaiter and surround, remove the ashtray and unplug everything behind it. Completely pull out the centre console, turn it upside down and remove maybe 15 - 20 screws, then it lifts off.

The dash part is a little easier. Two clips at the top of the air vents then remove them. Two screws to remove the radio. Two more screws in that area. A screw in the passenger air vent and remove that. Reach behind the dash trim there's a sort of anchor clip which can be tough to remove. Then the trim is held on by clips all the way along so it needs a pretty decent tug to get the whole thing off.

Yeah.... it's not very straight forward.

JINGLE · Post by **JINGLE** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 6:25 pm

Best in mind once it’s beennleft for a while and dust etc builds up the shine will go anyway, go for the better condition replacement

or wrap it?

thanatu55 · Post by **thanatu55** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 6:30 pm

Wrapping is one thing I can't do, I'm useless at it! Attempted and failed many many times to wrap that ledge piece on my rear bumper until I got frustrated and gave up.

I just about managed to get the replacement trim in before it went dark!

blackabbot · Post by **blackabbot** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 7:03 pm

tomscott wrote: ↑Wed Oct 18, 2017 5:10 pm
mr.tourette wrote: ↑Wed Oct 18, 2017 4:53 pm get it hydrodipped and jobs a good un
+1

+1

JINGLE · Post by **JINGLE** » Wed Oct 18, 2017 8:09 pm

thanatu55 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 18, 2017 6:30 pm Wrapping is one thing I can't do, I'm useless at it! Attempted and failed many many times to wrap that ledge piece on my rear bumper until I got frustrated and gave up.

I just about managed to get the replacement trim in before it went dark!

Larger area is harder, surely the smaller pieces are easier? (I’ve not tried so don’t know lol)

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