Refinished door switch panels - 3M DI-NOC

Joined
17 September 2006
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770
Location
Spicewood, TX (Lake Travis)
Just thought that you might want to see some refinished door switch panels. My 1997 drivers' side panel has a spot where the original film coating is scraped and exposed the color underneath. Instead of painting it I decided to wrap it with 3M DI-NOC "carbon fiber" vinyl. The color I used was "graphite."

Before - you can see the bare spot on the original vinyl by the mirror switch:

P1030303-1.jpg


Pic of the panel "stripped"

P1030311-1.jpg


The panel after the 3M vinyl was applied:

P1030312-1.jpg


Panel back in the door:

P1030315-1.jpg


Different view showing the new panel; sorry for the blur but the pic was taken w/o flash because the flash washed out the texture of the film.

P1030319-1.jpg


I did the passenger side first because it is simpler - just the power window switch. Then I did the driver's side.

1. remove door panel
2. remove the switch panel (four gold screws on two retention brackets underneath)
3. strip the original vinyl film using a regular paint stripper (Strypeze)
4. apply the vinyl film, working it using a heat gun. Used 3M 94 primer on the edges and crevices to improve adhesion.
 
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Bought it from http://www.carbonfiberfilm.com/

I'd say it isn't as easy as the many Youtube videos show, but the film is very malleable with heat. And the micro-grooving underneath eliminates air bubbles.

Eventually I will do the center console, but that will be an entire afternoon for me. Getting it to conform to the dip for the hand brake handle will be the tricky part.
 
Bought it from http://www.carbonfiberfilm.com/

I'd say it isn't as easy as the many Youtube videos show, but the film is very malleable with heat. And the micro-grooving underneath eliminates air bubbles.

Eventually I will do the center console, but that will be an entire afternoon for me. Getting it to conform to the dip for the hand brake handle will be the tricky part.

You will have to do it in 2 pieces. Match up the weaves. If you try in 1 piece it will come up. Trust me
 
You will have to do it in 2 pieces. Match up the weaves. If you try in 1 piece it will come up. Trust me

Have you done this? Any pics of the results?

So it sounds like you would do the handbrake area first. Trim it cleanly, then do the rest? Matching the weave sounds difficult to me considering the vinyl will have been stretched at least a bit.
 
Have you done this? Any pics of the results?

So it sounds like you would do the handbrake area first. Trim it cleanly, then do the rest? Matching the weave sounds difficult to me considering the vinyl will have been stretched at least a bit.

+1, any pics of this technique?

To the OP, how do you like the feel of Di-Noc to the touch vs the OEM finish?
 
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Nice Job.

One (dumb) question, what's the trick in removing the ac vents from the door switch panel?

I assume your question concerns detaching the vent assembly from the switch panel. There are several small spots where glue was used. Maybe the glue was used just for assembly - because Honda didn't use enough to seriously bond the parts. I used a thin screwdriver and gently pried the vent assembly off. The glue spots aren't strong, and it will release. Keep working the screwdriver and you shouldn't have trouble working it through the retention clips. Start on a corner where the plastic is thicker.
 
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