DIY Chrome Aircon Control Panel

[jpadua]

First remove the aircon panel, to do this, you will have to remove the bottom and sidepanels, then and stereo/aircon vent panel, then unclip the aircon control panel.  Once you have it open, pop out the aircon controls they are only held by clips. Use a screwdriver to pop them out.




Make sure you have your materials ready; Chrome Vinyl Film, a Hair Drier, better if you have a heat gun, a pair of scissors and a cutter


Cut the film, to size, make sure that there is some room on the side.


Remove the backing paper and apply the film on top of the panel, crease out the bubbles.  You might need to heat the film from time to time so you can stretch it over the curved areas.


Here come's the tricky part... you also need a lot of patience for this since it may take you while.  Heat the recessed areas of the panel, stretch it by pushing the film, into the recessed holes.  Do this several times until you have enough stretched film to cover the curved areas.  Just keep doing this until you can press the film on to the curves, the film will conform to the shape of the panel... be patient, you'll get there eventually, it took me a little bit over an hour to do since I was only using a hair dryer, a heat gun would make it much easier.


Cut a small cross patern on the recessed area, then pull the film down so you can stretch it on the edges of the openings.  Heat it a little bit so it would again conform to the shape of the opening.  Then cut out the excess with a cutter.  Now you will have a fully covered aircon panel.



Re install the panel, pop in the Aircon dials.  Screw back the radio panel, and attach the side and bottom panels, and there you have it!



Classy!

[ekiM_]

Jay! Nice.. I actually thought of doing this also, but with my stock HU.. haha hmmm 

[jpadua]

Jay! Nice.. I actually thought of doing this also, but with my stock HU.. haha hmmm 

Bro, it might be hard to do it on the stock panel, because of the the lines and creases, not to mention the CD slot.  You would also lose the text that is printed on the panel itself.  I think this would look good with the 2Din panel for use with other HUs.

[ekiM_]

Jay! Nice.. I actually thought of doing this also, but with my stock HU.. haha hmmm 

Bro, it might be hard to do it on the stock panel, because of the the lines and creases, not to mention the CD slot.  You would also lose the text that is printed on the panel itself.  I think this would look good with the 2Din panel for use with other HUs.

yah that's what I thought, you'll have to compromise the printed text on it.. Guess I'll just have to copy what you did.. thanks for sharing this DIY article bro.

[jonr0613]

very nice DIY...

[jpadua]

very nice DIY...

Thanks jonr0613, actually will try re do it.. this time with a heat gun... using the hairdrier, some of the vinyl lost shape, I wasnt able to stretch it as much... will post agian after I re-do it, including the upper panel for the stereo

[jpadua]

Just found these on the web on another forum, just wanted to share.  This guy used Carbon Fiber Film.





this guy is pretty good! Although personally I still prefer chrome

[SSYaris07]

ohhh I like that C/F layout I have red C/F on my dash

[jpadua]

yeah, it can be done! based on experience, it a bit tricky to do, but it gets easier to apply when you get the hang of it. you would really need a heat gun, to be able to stretch and contour the material over the recessed parts.

[vipstyler]

very nice hand work bro...
I tried before, but my carbon fiber sticker aready expired
the glue not sticking anymore...
where can get the chrome sticker?
is it scratchless?

[jpadua]

very nice hand work bro...
I tried before, but my carbon fiber sticker aready expired
the glue not sticking anymore...
where can get the chrome sticker?
is it scratchless?

Thanks bro!  It's a bit tricky and you really need a heat gun to stretch the film on the recessed areas.

We get our vinyl sticker supply from another member here, rpga44 you can send him  private message to ask if he can send a roll to you in Malaysia.

Well, its pretty tough, I wouldnt really say its scratchless, but you can use plastic polish on it to remove small scratches and swirls if needed.

[Schwing]

pretty cool DIY... i think mas ok sakin yun CF look. gotta try this one of these days.
Thanks for sharing!

vipstyler, where'd you get your CF sticker?

[vipstyler]

pretty cool DIY... i think mas ok sakin yun CF look. gotta try this one of these days.
Thanks for sharing!

vipstyler, where'd you get your CF sticker?

before this I buy the CF sticker online from
www.lelong.com.my

I still searching this chrome sticker.
but not yet found.

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