DIY: Cube Trim Repair/ Color Change (Black, Silver and Red) doityourself

[illirep]

Well I've always wondered why this was only attempted on black cube. Furthermore, many people that have the black cube desire silver cube. Lastly, why limit your cube to just black or silver?

Since I have a spare set of black cube, mostly all in need of TLC, I experimented with the following:

1) Rustoleum Red Satin
2) Rustoleum Black Satin
3) Rustoleum Silver Metallic

Similar to other trim repair DIY, I started with a very lite sanding to scuff up the trim (3M 400). Then I applied very lite coats from about 2 feet above the pieces, allowing 20 minutes of drying in between coats. I did 3 main coats per color, and some very minor touch up on the edges and angles.

In my opinion, the untrained eye would not be able to tell these were painted or color changed once completed and installed.


Comments / observations:
1) Rustoleum Red Satin - ironically looks very similar to Imola Red. I didn't like the Red cube look against my natural brown interior, but perhaps it would look nicer as an offset to an all black interior...the picture below was after only two very lite coats. The color change worked very effectively. One more coat would have hidden the slight imperfections shown, but I didn't want to put too many coats as I ultimately converted the whole spare set to Silver. In summation: this proved to me that one can choose any color they like and effectively and cleanly change the color of their cube trim.

2) Rustoleum Black Satin - very hard to distinguish from OEM black finish in terms of color. However, the new finish is noticeably shinier. I feel that the OEM finish was a bit too Matte for my taste and prefer the refinished look.

3) Rustoleum Silver Metallic - more brilliant than OEM with a bit of a matte effect. Very effective process. All in all, the trim looks great. Has much more pop than the OEM finish, which some will like and some will not. I may look into a darker shade of this paint to more closely match the OEM color, especially the darker gray look of the more recent Silver Cube trim production runs. As of now, I prefer the OEM silver cube. We'll see if that changes as I play with the shades.

Will post more on this if I tweak it further.

I welcome any comments / feedback / suggestions (with the disclaimer that this was done purely for fun and experimentation). I'm not reverting back to my Honda days of painting my dashboard and console, etc).

[cakM3]

Very interesting Bill, thanks for posting this :thumbsup

Maybe a Titan Shadow color would be nice!

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[jgt_zhp]

That red is kind of interesting......might really pop in an all black interior. I occasionally toy with switching from black to silver to break up the black on black on black look of my car. But then I get in it, and damn, I like it that way. But this potential Imola match idea would be very distinctive, wouldn't it?

Thanks for sharing your research, Bill. It will be helpful to a lot of us considering repairing or changing trim

[illirep]

Thanks guys. While it can likely be inferred, I forgot to mention that all of the above pieces were OEM black to begin with.

Jeff - You can certainly try it out on one piece - perhaps just do a light coat, pop it in, visualize, make a decision, proceed. Very easy to return to black. If you have a scratched piece, I say go for it! And certainly share pictures if you do.

Bill

[danewilson77]

Great comparison and food for thought Bill.

[Tnhl1989]

I would probably say in addition to that you could probably plasti dip first then do the coats.

[Avetiso]

What a coincidence. I've been thinking about this a lot, recently. If I had Imola Red or Orient Blue, I'd match the color of the trim to that, for sure.

+1 on plastidipping it first. Makes it reversible.

[illirep]

Only problem with too many coats is that you effectively diminish the texture slightly with each layer of paint. Plasti-dip plus several layers of paint may smooth out the texture a bit too much. Unless you match the color and almost use it as a first coat / primer, in which case you may want to skip the sanding.

[johnrando]

Great info, thanks for posting.

[JupiterBMW]

Wow, great post Bill. Personally, not a fan of the red, but that could just be because its "different". Perhaps maybe a darker shade of red, like a burgundy or something. I dunno... As for the black, I really like the look, and I like the shine. I used an interior protectant on my interior and went over my black cube recently, giving it a bit of gloss, and I honestly really liked the look. If/when I have to touch up my black cube, I'll be going with this method.

Thanks for the write up Bill. :thumbsup

[E_Rak]

Thanks for the experimentation, it's good to know that the trim can retain it's texture after being painted... Have any more closeups of the sprayed silver?

[BavarianZHP]

Wow, that's awesome Bill. I need to repair my silver cube trim and also would much prefer the titanium silver look... Hmmm. I still have that spare piece left over in the Pay it Forward thread so may try to color match it. Thanks Bill!!

[illirep]

I found a better silver that looks much closer to oem. I'll try to post some pictures this week.

[BavarianZHP]

Sweet!

[PKR]

Hope to revive this thread, at least to learn more about your new silver and maybe see some pics ...

[illirep]

Sorry just seeing this now. I no longer have that trim. The pics I've already shared show the detail fairly well.

[az3579]

Hope to revive this thread, at least to learn more about your new silver and maybe see some pics ...

I have some pics from when I refinished mine who-knows-how-long-ago. The paint used was Precision Grey (a Nissan Altima color) available at Advance Auto. Turned out to be a near perfect match to brand new OEM silver cube (comparable to Charlie's brand new trim in his ZHP):

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa192/az3579/Automotive/BMW%20E46%20330i%20ZHP/Interior/IMG_20130718_175153_509_zpsc612c982.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa192/az3579/Automotive/BMW%20E46%20330i%20ZHP/Interior/IMG_20130718_175147_336_zps9bd6efbe.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa192/az3579/Automotive/BMW%20E46%20330i%20ZHP/Interior/IMG_20130718_175116_413_zps749330a5.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa192/az3579/Automotive/BMW%20E46%20330i%20ZHP/Interior/IMG_20130718_175110_417_zps5925e7e9.jpg

The pics don't do it justice, really.

[Avetiso]

I really want to paint my trim, but I'm not sure if I want to do a custom color. I'll probably end up doing silver because I have silver stitching, but still... I contemplate doing something out of the ordinary.

BP, that color looks fantastic.

[PirateZHP]

I plan to do my black cube... once I get the balls to do it. Makes me nervous.

[danewilson77]

I really want to paint my trim, but I'm not sure if I want to do a custom color. I'll probably end up doing silver because I have silver stitching, but still... I contemplate doing something out of the ordinary.

BP, that color looks fantastic.

Dhu Dat

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6716621169_6e68329b4e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dw77zhpmafia/6716621169/)
Imola interior 6 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dw77zhpmafia/6716621169/) by Dane Wilson77 (http://www.flickr.com/people/dw77zhpmafia/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6716620927_9cfb0a3585_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dw77zhpmafia/6716620927/)
Imola interior 5 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dw77zhpmafia/6716620927/) by Dane Wilson77 (http://www.flickr.com/people/dw77zhpmafia/), on Flickr

[Avetiso]

Dhu Dat

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6716621169_6e68329b4e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dw77zhpmafia/6716621169/)
Imola interior 6 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dw77zhpmafia/6716621169/) by Dane Wilson77 (http://www.flickr.com/people/dw77zhpmafia/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6716620927_9cfb0a3585_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dw77zhpmafia/6716620927/)
Imola interior 5 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dw77zhpmafia/6716620927/) by Dane Wilson77 (http://www.flickr.com/people/dw77zhpmafia/), on Flickr

How would I do it with cube? :(

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[danewilson77]

You wouldn't.

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[az3579]

I really want to paint my trim, but I'm not sure if I want to do a custom color. I'll probably end up doing silver because I have silver stitching, but still... I contemplate doing something out of the ordinary.

BP, that color looks fantastic.

I was actually going for Titan Shadow-ish. The color on the top of the can was a LOT darker, more of a gunmetal type of color. It ended up being this much lighter shade. That probably happened because the trim was already silver. :dunno
It ended up being pretty much the color of brand new, unfaded silver cube. Who knew? :biggrin


How would I do it with cube? :(

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That's what beater trims are for. You buy a crappy basic plastic set and paint that. :)

[Hermes]

Maybe if I try it on my black cube and it will turn out Titan shadow?

[az3579]

Maybe if I try it on my black cube and it will turn out Titan shadow?

Actually, I realize that this is not what will happen. The passenger trim that goes above the glovebox in my pic above... you'd never guess it, but that was black cube before the spray. My silver one was broken so I had to pull from my black set and paint it. It looks exactly the same as the other pieces.

[Hermes]

Ok, so we need a slightly darker shade of paint then

[PirateZHP]

Bumping this. Very easy, and makes your interior look great! Nothing like new (refreshed) cube!12858

[WOLFN8TR]

Nice!

[damonchoy]

Kind of tempted to try out the red... would look interesting with Imola! Just not sure if I'd get tired of it.

I'd also love to pick up some beater trim to try out some sort of an M tri-colour thing!

[Avetiso]

Kind of tempted to try out the red... would look interesting with Imola! Just not sure if I'd get tired of it.

I'd also love to pick up some beater trim to try out some sort of an M tri-colour thing!
I think red would be a bit much... I've always wanted to see white cube, though.

[rguti153]

White cube that sounds awsome , white plasti dip might work n u can take it off after

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[OtterEffect]

Sorry to revive this guys, but I was just curious if anyone has started with silver cube and gone to black (or a different color). I like Dario's idea of matching the trim color to the external color.


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[johnrando]

Like black cube on a black car? :biggrin. J/K. I like that idea too.

[OtterEffect]

Or a dark blue cube on orient blue! :biggrin


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[Avetiso]

Sorry to revive this guys, but I was just curious if anyone has started with silver cube and gone to black (or a different color). I like Dario's idea of matching the trim color to the external color.


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Strip the trim before you paint it... I already painted it once.

[OtterEffect]

Strip the trim before you paint it... I already painted it once.

Yes of course! Was it originally black or did you repaint it silver?


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[Avetiso]

Yes of course! Was it originally black or did you repaint it silver?


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It was silver originally, but very faded. It was practically purple.

[OtterEffect]

It was silver originally, but very faded. It was practically purple.

Ah right I remember reading that. Do you remember the paint you used?


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[Avetiso]

Ah right I remember reading that. Do you remember the paint you used?


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Duplicolor Nissan precision gray. Still have some left over.

[OtterEffect]

Duplicolor Nissan precision gray. Still have some left over.

Sweet. Might get some in black. Not sure why but I'm really digging the black cube on black interior.


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[ryankokesh]

White cube that sounds awsome , white plasti dip might work n u can take it off after

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Has anyone tried plastidip to see if the cube texture is retained?


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[Fenrir]

I like the red look but it wouldn't really look good in my car. My driver's side trim needs some love though.. And I think plastidip may wipe out the texture once a few coats are put on.

[bshovers]

Sanding it with 400 doesn't ruin the texture?


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[gmurphy]

Has anyone tried plastidip to see if the cube texture is retained?


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I don't think that's the best method


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[ELCID86]

Has anyone tried plastidip to see if the cube texture is retained?


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BP did: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?8653-DIY-Refresh-Black-Cube-trim-to-look-brand-new-(easiest-method

[Dual]

Duplicolor Nissan precision gray. Still have some left over.

Avetiso- how has that paint been holding up? I'm considering replicating your project.

Also: I almost bought a used set of the silver trim recently (wrong model car tho: my mistake). I own a coupe. Seller described the door trim as very easy to remove: "...basically the same as the the dash ones. You simply pry them out, beginning from the outer edge." But then he sent me to a webpage where the entire door panels were described as removed. Did you have to remove those panels, or just the trim?

[CarbonZHP]

Think I'll go this route instead of my current 4D carbon fiber wrap. Honor my ZHP roots

[Avetiso]

Avetiso- how has that paint been holding up? I'm considering replicating your project.

Also: I almost bought a used set of the silver trim recently (wrong model car tho: my mistake). I own a coupe. Seller described the door trim as very easy to remove: "...basically the same as the the dash ones. You simply pry them out, beginning from the outer edge." But then he sent me to a webpage where the entire door panels were described as removed. Did you have to remove those panels, or just the trim?

Couldn't tell you. Don't have the car anymore.

You don't need to remove the entire panel. The trim can just come off. Actually, you need to remove the trim before you can even remove the panel.


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[Dual]

I thought I'd post here about a technique I've developed which pretty much eliminates small scratches on the black cube trim. My car was super-superclean when I bought it, but when I pulled out the glove box I learned a bit about the PO: she had one of those tiny yappy dogs. There was dog hair up in there! And upon examining the cube trim in the vicinity of both front windows I saw a handful of claw scratches here and there.

A fresh, sharp, standard-issue black Sharpie (not Shar Pei:eek (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shar_Pei)) is your friend here. Carefully fill 2-3 scratches at a time, working the Sharpie point right into the cut metal so the dye penetrates it as best possible. Then, after only a few seconds' dry time, rub the Sharpie off the cube trim with your fingertip. The ink will stay in the scratches, healing them. This doesn't make scratches disappear, but you need to be right on top of them to see anything was there.

Regards to all....

[09mageec]

I thought I'd post here about a technique I've developed which pretty much eliminates small scratches on the black cube trim. My car was super-superclean when I bought it, but when I pulled out the glove box I learned a bit about the PO: she had one of those tiny yappy dogs. There was dog hair up in there! And upon examining the cube trim in the vicinity of both front windows I saw a handful of claw scratches here and there.

A fresh, sharp, standard-issue black Sharpie (not Shar Pei:eek (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shar_Pei)) is your friend here. Carefully fill 2-3 scratches at a time, working the Sharpie point right into the cut metal so the dye penetrates it as best possible. Then, after only a few seconds' dry time, rub the Sharpie off the cube trim with your fingertip. The ink will stay in the scratches, healing them. This doesn't make scratches disappear, but you need to be right on top of them to see anything was there

I wonder how a silver Sharpie would hold up? The Moron at my local (no longer visited) BMW dealership, :guns BMW of New London, nicked my silver cube when doing the air bag warranty...

This is far from the real reasons (multiple) that I will never give them my business..

[Dual]

A silver sharpie is a paint tool. A black one is almost a dye colorant. That may make a difference.

In defense of the Moron: the 'cube' trim is just stupid IMHO. Super-delicate, and looks like you're trying to imitate carbon fiber. In a few years, imitation CF would pretty much come to define automotive tacky.

[CarbonZHP]

Did my trim with the black paint and went slightly too heavy in one area. Covered up the pattern a bit. Any stripper suggestions to take the dried paint off the metal and out of the texture? Sanding wont bring the texture back

[BMWCurves]

I thought I'd post here about a technique I've developed which pretty much eliminates small scratches on the black cube trim. My car was super-superclean when I bought it, but when I pulled out the glove box I learned a bit about the PO: she had one of those tiny yappy dogs. There was dog hair up in there! And upon examining the cube trim in the vicinity of both front windows I saw a handful of claw scratches here and there.

A fresh, sharp, standard-issue black Sharpie (not Shar Pei:eek (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shar_Pei)) is your friend here. Carefully fill 2-3 scratches at a time, working the Sharpie point right into the cut metal so the dye penetrates it as best possible. Then, after only a few seconds' dry time, rub the Sharpie off the cube trim with your fingertip. The ink will stay in the scratches, healing them. This doesn't make scratches disappear, but you need to be right on top of them to see anything was there.

Regards to all....

Are you talking a sharpie that is designated "fine point" like this: http://www.sharpie.com/en-US/sharpie-products/sharpie-markers/fine-point-permanent-marker-sp-00013--1

Or some other standard sharpie I'm not aware of?

[Dual]

Are you talking a sharpie that is designated "fine point" like this: http://www.sharpie.com/en-US/sharpie-products/sharpie-markers/fine-point-permanent-marker-sp-00013--1

Or some other standard sharpie I'm not aware of?Nope, that's the one. Just don't use the fleshtone LOL!

[09mageec]

In defense of the Moron: the 'cube' trim is just stupid IMHO. Super-delicate, and looks like you're trying to imitate carbon fiber. In a few years, imitation CF would pretty much come to define automotive tacky.

Or just be more careful with the customers car that you're working on....

The cube trim is extremely sought after by many e46 owners, not because it imitates CF (which is much easier to obtain), but because of its individuality. People who see it in my car always have very positive things to say about it. They know its not CF, but can't pinpoint what it is, especially in silver. Not an imitation IMHO, more of an impression...

[chacend]

I wonder how a silver Sharpie would hold up? The Moron at my local (no longer visited) BMW dealership, :guns BMW of New London, nicked my silver cube when doing the air bag warranty...

This is far from the real reasons (multiple) that I will never give them my business..

This just happened to me as well at Grayson BMW here in Knoxville. The good news is they didn't question it and immediately ordered a replacement. Bad news is they ordered the wrong part so I'm still waiting. Good news is they may have earned some business by taking care of it, if all works out.

[BMWCurves]

That's really nice they'd replace it. That's what good customer service is about.

[Zaks]

Just did this and I love it. I only did 1 coat and it came out great.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160509/18267366c577089166464cb75d79ee09.jpg

25677

Ivan

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[Zaks]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160509/6232decb6699cec004a90790157cdc61.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160509/da719a12618df9a6fb7cc7377be8e580.jpg

It can scratch a bit easily, but I possibly didn't let it cure long enough.


Ivan

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[Sockethead]

Looks great! Yea it will take a while for the paint to fully cure/harden