Lateral of central console for AC version renew process

deQuincey · Mar 22, 2015

I have learnt something about these parts, the lateral console Wood panels are in fact of two types of Wood,

a poor agglomerated Wood for the non AC versión, and plywood for the AC versión

these parts usually suffer when in the car, but much more prone to damage when removed, the AC versión panels are particularly delicate as there is a huge opening that leaves a thin Wood arm in the bottom,

usually these áreas need to be recovered , so here is the process, it is a long and tedious process using Wood mastic and lots of patience:

this piece was gone (see up right corner)

the other piece, inner side:

replacing the foam:

the thin rail around the opening:

replacing the foam:

fixing points:

Ohmess · Mar 23, 2015

So here's a thought for you. Your work is so nice, I would be willing to bet that if you made two of everything like this, you could sell the second set for the cost of the parts for the two and get your repair costs covered.

deQuincey · Mar 23, 2015

Ohmess said:
So here's a thought for you. Your work is so nice, I would be willing to bet that if you made two of everything like this, you could sell the second set for the cost of the parts for the two and get your repair costs covered.

good one, dear Ohmess, but I would be willing to bet that if i make that, i will be getting a divorce too ;-)

Ohmess · Mar 23, 2015

deQuincey said:
good one, dear Ohmess, but I would be willing to bet that if i make that, i will be getting a divorce too ;-)

Yes. Thank God my wife doesn't know how much time I spend longing to be with Annabelle!

Stevehose · Mar 23, 2015

I can't hide it. She knows. Requires lots of dimplomacy to keep tensions low.

Ohmess said:
Yes. Thank God my wife doesn't know how much time I spend longing to be with Annabelle!

deQuincey · Mar 27, 2015

covered in vinyl

i copied the shapes using original plastic as templates, got them sewn at a shop and then i installed them

deQuincey · Mar 27, 2015

now i must install these:

cleaned and anodized

Tundra · Mar 28, 2015

Center console side panels

Has anyone recovered the side panels of the center console in a color other than black? Tan perhaps? to match tan interior. Any pictures? Curious to see what it would look like.

HB Chris · Mar 28, 2015

Iconoclast did this (Chuck M)

deQuincey · Mar 29, 2015

P A I N in the thumbs this time.

to avoid scratching the newly anodized aluminium trim parts i used the thumbs to press the pieces into their position,..ouch !

adawil2002 · Mar 29, 2015

Thumbs up, looks great.

rsporsche · Mar 29, 2015

deQ ... looks better than original, BMW didn't do as good of a job.

deQuincey · May 10, 2015

finally i was able to get a set of grilles:

used these screws

drill at 2mm

final aspect

i have never seen an original stock AC in a car, so help please, is this correct ?

nobrakese28 · May 14, 2015

Gorgeous work!

DWMBMW · May 14, 2015

DQ,

I still have my center console out from when I installed new carpet the other weekend. I will take some pics tomorrow morning and post them for reference. The original screws for the grille are smaller. Be careful not to tighten your screws which are larger too tight as the grilles get very brittle and crack easily. Your posts have been very helpful to everyone and I'd be more than happy to post any pics of the factory a/c you need.

Doug

deQuincey · May 15, 2015

DWMBMW said:
DQ,

I still have my center console out from when I installed new carpet the other weekend. I will take some pics tomorrow morning and post them for reference. The original screws for the grille are smaller. Be careful not to tighten your screws which are larger too tight as the grilles get very brittle and crack easily. Your posts have been very helpful to everyone and I'd be more than happy to post any pics of the factory a/c you need.

Doug

thank you very much Doug,

yes the grilles are brittle, and of course i applied only a bit of pressure with the screws
i have not detailed this, but i remade the holes from behind, i prepared an extended surface to reinforce, using an epoxi glue to create a layer of material which spreads the force exerted by the screws evenly

i will appreciate very much those pics of a factory AC setup

DWMBMW · May 15, 2015

A few pics. Let me know if you need more detailed pics of any specific areas or attachments. I'll be reinstalling the console this weekend.

bavbob · Dec 17, 2019

deQ, how are the aluminum strips held on since I have to remove mine to do some repairs?

BTW, small areas, well for now, I have used black seam sealer after gluing the edges of the tear with Gorilla crazy glue gel. The seam sealer can be smoothed by putting a dab or paint thinner on your finger tip and then rubbing. The thinner evaporates quickly so I usually have a little cup or small spray bottle filled with it. When I get the contour I want, I tap it with my finger to get some texture ( tried an old piece of vinyl to press down on it, never works). I use thinner to smooth seam sealer in general after I try to get that factory look ...which I never "seam" to get.

deQuincey · Dec 17, 2019

bavbob said:
deQ, how are the aluminum strips held on since I have to remove mine to do some repairs?

BTW, small areas, well for now, I have used black seam sealer after gluing the edges of the tear with Gorilla crazy glue gel. The seam sealer can be smoothed by putting a dab or paint thinner on your finger tip and then rubbing. The thinner evaporates quickly so I usually have a little cup or small spray bottle filled with it. When I get the contour I want, I tap it with my finger to get some texture ( tried an old piece of vinyl to press down on it, never works). I use thinner to smooth seam sealer in general after I try to get that factory look ...which I never "seam" to get.

there are small nails fixed to the alu strips
you should be careful avoid bending them

mark99 · Dec 18, 2019

I had these side parts recovered so I also had to reinstall the aluminum trim part
I found it rather difficult, you want to get the trim close to the raised part so it looks even, but too close and it won't sit down properly
Here is what I did to get the nails in:
You need to press very evenly or the trim will bend and if it kinks you might not be able to fix it
I marked on the trim with tape so I would know where the nails where, and the part next to the nails
Cover the trim with a thin cloth so it won't scratch
Put a smooth board over the trim, about the size of the trim
Then you can tap on the board to drive the nails in and have even pressure along the trim
Make sure all the nails are straight
But not easy, I spent several hours doing this

Lateral of central console for AC version renew process

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