Painting aluminium trim Piano Black?

[E86montego]

Hi all,

Wouldn't mind Piano Black trim, as apposed to my aluminium trim that I currently have.

How difficult is it good to get a decent result from paint? I'm pretty decent with spray, but I'm dubious about the textured finish on the trim prevent a smooth finish. Has anybody had good results from this?

If so, pictures please!

 

[pcube]

Have you considered doing a vinyl wrap instead? Probably end up with the same result visually, but at least this is reversible.

 

[E86montego]

I have, but I can imagine trying to shape it around the corners very difficult

 

[DMC63]

I have, but I can imagine trying to shape it around the corners very difficult

A member did a dash wrap. From what I can recall...It turned out ok. Think it was a carbon fibre print.

 

[csquire4]

I've recently had my wood trim painted piano black, took it to a local bodyshop rather than try it myself to make sure I got a quality finish but I am inexperienced with spray. Getting the stuff sprayed is the easy part, dismantling the interior to get the pieces out is the hard part and then you have to reassemble it all.

If your car is your daily driver I would suggest buying some second hand aluminium trim, get it sprayed black then you can install in one go and then sell the aluminium trim that you removed.

My Zed is a second car so it wasn't a problem that it was out of action for a couple of weeks.

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=97229

 

[srhutch]

I assume they would use height build primer and flat it back to fill in the grain.

 

[Sgr74]

I wrapped my dash. Looks far better than the aluminium. It brings the car a bit more up to date in my opinion. I will be doing it again soon because I used cheap material to see if I liked it.

 

[MrPT]

Had a body shop do mine as well (see here for pics). Looks better than the OEM finish, IMHO, and was under £150.

 

[pcube]

Had a body shop do mine as well (see here for pics). Looks better than the OEM finish, IMHO, and was under £150.

That looks great! Definitely plan to do this when the opportunity arises...

 

[bony_13]

Sprayed mine with high build primer and then sanded back. Went for matt black rather than gloss, but the theory is the same - the grain of the brushed aluminium really isn't that deep and will be easily covered with some paint. Your main issue will be getting a good gloss finish with anything other than pro kit and polishing...following that finger marks and scratches which I find a problem with ALL gloss interior trim..

Gratuitous photo of my diy efforts

 

[BradleyB]

Sprayed mine with high build primer and then sanded back. Went for matt black rather than gloss, but the theory is the same - the grain of the brushed aluminium really isn't that deep and will be easily covered with some paint. Your main issue will be getting a good gloss finish with anything other than pro kit and polishing...following that finger marks and scratches which I find a problem with ALL gloss interior trim..

Gratuitous photo of my diy efforts

That looks amazing!! :wub:

 

[alekos911]

I ve been watching this one for a while. It seems tempting but It won't fit in my lhd car

https://www.ebay.com/itm/182210919131

There was also the accompanying dash trim for another 150 euros