[Billfitz]

When you do it there's a right way and a wrong way. The right way is to break the parts down to the individual components, which is a PITA as they're attached with plastic rivets, which you have to drill out. After wrapping you put it back together injecting hot melt glue where the rivets used to be. It's a lot more work, but worth it.

[j.f.leonard]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

When you do it there's a right way and a wrong way. The right way is to break the parts down to the individual components, which is a PITA as they're attached with plastic rivets, which you have to drill out. After wrapping you put it back together injecting hot melt glue where the rivets used to be. It's a lot more work, but worth it.

My plan was to pull the trim off the car and then pull the air vents and idrive unit out of the trim and proceed from there. Thats the only way I've seen it done on youtube and what not and the results seem to be good so I'll probably just do that. Which plastic rivets are you talking about? I know there are some holding the trim piece at the gear shifter on but I plan on leaving that silver.

[Billfitz]

When you get the trim pieces off you'll see. Those red parts are riveted to the rest. The only way to be sure that the wrap won't eventually peel is to wrap it around to the back of the piece being wrapped. You can't do that with the red parts in the way. There are other parts that need to be pulled too, like the vents from the vent trim, but those snap together. It can be difficult to see where the release tabs are though.

[Sigge]

Since you have a alpine white car I definitely think it would have been cool to so the trim in gloss white, or gloss white carbon fibre. Would really go well with the red accents as well.

The vinyl this set uses looks really nice:

https://www.mtecdynamics.com/product...erior-trim-set

[j.f.leonard]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

When you get the trim pieces off you'll see. Those red parts are riveted to the rest. The only way to be sure that the wrap won't eventually peel is to wrap it around to the back of the piece being wrapped. You can't do that with the red parts in the way. There are other parts that need to be pulled too, like the vents from the vent trim, but those snap together. It can be difficult to see where the release tabs are though.

Okay gotcha, I'll definitely look into that once I pull the trim. The vinyl should be here this evening so I should have the job done within a week or so and Ill update. I stay pretty busy with school and work:

[j.f.leonard]

Originally Posted by Sigge

Since you have a alpine white car I definitely think it would have been cool to so the trim in gloss white, or gloss white carbon fibre. Would really go well with the red accents as well.

The vinyl this set uses looks really nice:

https://www.mtecdynamics.com/product...erior-trim-set

Wow, that white carbon does look very nice but I feel like it would feel too christmasy with the red accents!

[Sigge]

The silver vinyl was pretty cool aswell!

https://www.mtecdynamics.com/collect...erior-trim-set

[j.f.leonard]

So, I got the vinyl (3M 2080 CFS12 Carbon Fiber) in yesterday and made time to get everything wrapped tonight. Heres how the pieces look and I think I did a pretty good job, but time will tell. I'll post pics of it all installed back in the car tomorrow. Also, I made a special effort to make the pattern go in the same direction for the dash pieces as well as the console piece. The 2 front door handles match, and then the 2 rears match differently from the fronts due to the shape of the vinyl I had left.

[j.f.leonard]

Here are some day time pics of it installed. Apparently this vinyl really pops in low lighting, so I may come back later this evening when its not so bright out and snap a few more pics.

[j.f.leonard]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I'd say it would be better than anything dark. I don't know what it is about the German mindset of making the interior so dark that getting into the car is like walking into a cave, but I don't care for it. I wrapped all of my wood trim to brighten it up from the original scheme that only Nietzsche or Wagner could love.

How did you wrap the steering wheel trim? Does it just pop off?? That would look super dope in carbon for my interior!

[Billfitz]

You have to pull the wheel, because the function buttons are attached to that trim, and they're screwed to the wheel. I did it at the same time that I wrapped the wheel, which is much easier with the wheel off and the buttons and trim removed.

[j.f.leonard]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

You have to pull the wheel, because the function buttons are attached to that trim, and they're screwed to the wheel. I did it at the same time that I wrapped the wheel, which is much easier with the wheel off and the buttons and trim removed.

Ah, gotcha. I probably wont be doing that any time soon then

[LW335]

Originally Posted by j.f.leonard

Here are some day time pics of it installed. Apparently this vinyl really pops in low lighting, so I may come back later this evening when its not so bright out and snap a few more pics.

Damn looks good man!

[j.f.leonard]

Here are some night shots I did. The wrap definitely looks nicer in low lighting, but it may have a deeper black color to it in brighter light once I coat it with some ceramic spray coating or something. Regardless, I think I'm happy with how it turned out!

[QuikSilver_]

Where did you all buy the samples and/or full size film from? I think I'm interested in trying this.

[QuikSilver_]

Originally Posted by j.f.leonard

Here are some day time pics of it installed. Apparently this vinyl really pops in low lighting, so I may come back later this evening when its not so bright out and snap a few more pics.

I just noticed the red trim does not extend to the door panels. That's odd, considering the gloss black trim does (aluminum hex w/ gloss black trim), and I believe the Estoril blue trim also extends to the door panels. Weird that BMW did not do that with the red trim.

[Th3Walrus]

@j.f.leonard

Did you need to use a heat gun to wrap? Or hair dryer? Any adhesion promoter? I'd like to tackle mine.

[Billfitz]

Adhesion promoter is a must. I use a low temperature heat gun, a standard heat gun will melt the vinyl. I have the heat gun secured to my work bench so I can hold the work with one hand, pass it through the heat stream, then stretch the vinyl in place with the other hand, working an inch or two at a time.

[j.f.leonard]

Originally Posted by BimmerRimmer

Where did you all buy the samples and/or full size film from? I think I'm interested in trying this.

Amazon and ebay had samples. Ordered the vinyl from amazon as well.

[j.f.leonard]

Originally Posted by BimmerRimmer

I just noticed the red trim does not extend to the door panels. That's odd, considering the gloss black trim does (aluminum hex w/ gloss black trim), and I believe the Estoril blue trim also extends to the door panels. Weird that BMW did not do that with the red trim.

Very true, I noticed that when looking into sportlines before I even had an f30. They make aftermarket red pieces for the doors but I dont know if it would be too much red or not.

[j.f.leonard]

Originally Posted by Th3Walrus

@j.f.leonard

Did you need to use a heat gun to wrap? Or hair dryer? Any adhesion promoter? I'd like to tackle mine.

No adhesion promoter but i used a heat gun and it turned out nearly flawless. Just stay patient with it!

[Billfitz]

If you don't use adhesion promoter edges that aren't tucked around the back of the part will eventually lift. You might get bubbling too.