Nav bezel scratches - Cheap, easy solution!
#1
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Nav bezel scratches - Cheap, easy solution!
Let's all join hands and go to our safe place, where no one is ignored.
Last edited by LexRex; 10-03-19 at 05:36 PM.
The following 4 users liked this post by LexRex:
#2
Fortunately, my car doesn't need this, but your solution appears to be a good one.
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LexRex (05-20-19)
#4
Are there any precut seams for the corners?
#5
Moderator
Nice solution. Mine is still in good condition, but It's only a matter of time......
#6
#7
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
You're asking if there is a way to hide the seam in an already-existing panel seam, right? I wish there were a way.
I played around with this for a while and I couldn't come up with any solution that did not involve the edge of the film showing. You can wrap the entire top portion of the trim (everything above the vents). That leaves a single horizontal line across the unit just above the vents, but this is 10x harder and it seems to accentuate the slight color difference. You can also run a horizontal strip of about 1" just at the level of the area that is scratched, but the horizontal lines on the far sides then draw the eye. You could also wrap everything, top to bottom, but that would cover the vent flow symbols.
Making the film follow the lines downward from the buttons and then in a curve that mimics the natural curves of the panel seems to be the least noticeable, at least to my eye.
Buy 5' of the film and go wild, experimenting with what works best for your tastes. It's cheap, kinda fun, and relatively easy to work with.
If, however, you're asking about a template or such for the curves at the bottom, let me see if I can scan my template into a PDF file... I'll follow up momentarily.
I played around with this for a while and I couldn't come up with any solution that did not involve the edge of the film showing. You can wrap the entire top portion of the trim (everything above the vents). That leaves a single horizontal line across the unit just above the vents, but this is 10x harder and it seems to accentuate the slight color difference. You can also run a horizontal strip of about 1" just at the level of the area that is scratched, but the horizontal lines on the far sides then draw the eye. You could also wrap everything, top to bottom, but that would cover the vent flow symbols.
Making the film follow the lines downward from the buttons and then in a curve that mimics the natural curves of the panel seems to be the least noticeable, at least to my eye.
Buy 5' of the film and go wild, experimenting with what works best for your tastes. It's cheap, kinda fun, and relatively easy to work with.
If, however, you're asking about a template or such for the curves at the bottom, let me see if I can scan my template into a PDF file... I'll follow up momentarily.
Last edited by LexRex; 05-17-19 at 08:13 AM.
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#8
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Here's the template I used. Be sure to print it at "ACTUAL SIZE".
The bottom edge sits just at the top of the vents and the sides line up with the edges of the button panels.
I made a quick video, but it will take me a little bit to get it uploaded.
The bottom edge sits just at the top of the vents and the sides line up with the edges of the button panels.
I made a quick video, but it will take me a little bit to get it uploaded.
Last edited by LexRex; 05-17-19 at 09:13 AM.
The following 4 users liked this post by LexRex:
#9
What an awesome idea LexRex...
My old one was very scratched and faded, so bought a newer one from yahoo auctions japan...
Old one:
new one:
Either way that color match is nearly perfect, and its nice of you to have made a template!
Thumbs up!
Yann.
My old one was very scratched and faded, so bought a newer one from yahoo auctions japan...
Old one:
new one:
Either way that color match is nearly perfect, and its nice of you to have made a template!
Thumbs up!
Yann.
The following users liked this post:
LexRex (05-20-19)
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LexRex (05-20-19)
#11
Lexus Champion
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LexRex (05-20-19)
#13
Thanks-My 2002 81,000 mile LS is perfect with no deferred maintenance-except for the bezel. Mine is not in bad shape at all, but the OCD in me wanted to find a solution and you have provided it! Just ordered the wrap and printed the PDF and hope my 69 year old eyes will allow me to do as good as you have done with the installation.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
#14
Lexus Champion
The trim around the navigation screen in our cars is prone to scratch easily and it just looks bad.
My car is fairly pristine inside and out, so the mangled trim around the Nav really stands out in a bad way.
There are four options for dealing with this:
1. Deal with it. It's an old car.
2. Buy a new trim piece for $200+.
3. Go nuts with spray paint, trying to make a combo that matches and looks good.
And now, option 4!
3M 1080 Matte Graphite Metallic (M211) Vinyl film
It's only a 99% match, but it's 100% worth the modest cost and effort.
To apply, you'll need:
- a heat gun/hairdryer
- a brand new, never-used razor blade or exacto blade.
- just a little bit of patience
- It should take less than 10 minutes to apply, even if you're slow
If there is significant interest, I can make a how-to video, and I could even throw together some modestly-priced (maybe 8 bucks?) kits with pre-cut vinyl and a new razor blade.
My car is fairly pristine inside and out, so the mangled trim around the Nav really stands out in a bad way.
There are four options for dealing with this:
1. Deal with it. It's an old car.
2. Buy a new trim piece for $200+.
3. Go nuts with spray paint, trying to make a combo that matches and looks good.
And now, option 4!
3M 1080 Matte Graphite Metallic (M211) Vinyl film
It's only a 99% match, but it's 100% worth the modest cost and effort.
To apply, you'll need:
- a heat gun/hairdryer
- a brand new, never-used razor blade or exacto blade.
- just a little bit of patience
- It should take less than 10 minutes to apply, even if you're slow
If there is significant interest, I can make a how-to video, and I could even throw together some modestly-priced (maybe 8 bucks?) kits with pre-cut vinyl and a new razor blade.
#15
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
You're right. I made a mistake. The link is correct. It should be charcoal. M211 is the specific model number you should look for.
I've been researching color codes to refinish a steering wheel, trying to find a decent match. So the words "charcoal", "graphite", and such have been swimming in my head lately. Sorry for the confusion.
I've been researching color codes to refinish a steering wheel, trying to find a decent match. So the words "charcoal", "graphite", and such have been swimming in my head lately. Sorry for the confusion.