Hey, does anyone have a safe method of removing pieces of an Aluminum Dash Kit from CustomMaxima.com? I installed that kit in my GreyLustre 2001 AE.

A couple of the pieces I messed up, (i.e. pulled too hard on corner of piece that goes over Bose radio trying to remove red adhesive plastic and now have a ripple at the bottom corner, and vent pieces are about 1 millimeter too long). I need to replace these pieces with new pieces, and want to try and eliminate having any adhesive stuck to the stereo face when I pull off the old ones, which the 3M adhesive backing will probably have to be scraped off the Bose face which I don't want to damage.

I was thinking about using a heat gun at first, but that might melt the surrounding plastic... so I might use a 1800W hair dryer I used once before to install some DynaMat.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

Can't answer your question but I am do want your opinion about the quality of the CostumMaxima.com aluminum dash kit. How are fit and finish of this product and did it fit well?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MaxOverdrive
Can't answer your question but I am do want your opinion about the quality of the CostumMaxima.com aluminum dash kit. How are fit and finish of this product and did it fit well? [/QUOTE

Hmmmmm, I'll say this. The dash kit is beautiful, and I get a LOT of compliments... but the fact the 2 pieces (driver side and pass side) that go on the large vents are about 1 mm or more to long, the basically form a ripple in the aluminum. I now need to replace these 2 pieces, plus the one that goes on the stereo cuz that little dent/ripple in the bottom corner looks very tacky (which is my OWN fault). I wish it was possible to just order the pieces I damaged. I'm leary about ordering a kit from another company as the aluminum might not be brushed the same, or me be a different color or thickness. But as far as the quality, it is a VERY nice brushed finish, and literally looks PHAT with the dark interior of a grey lustre maxima. Also, since I have the AE, it really compliments the aluminum add-ons that come with the Anniversary Edition.

 

Here is the real problem with these stick on dash kits. If you used the method where you apply the solution from a bottle and also remove the red tape off the back of the piece and then put on the piece, guess what you just did? Made it as solid as EPOXY!!! That solution is like a chemical activator to make the glue on the back side of the tape stick even better. After that I really dont know how you can safely remove it from pieces that might have been put on vinly or plastic. Cause it sort of chemically bonds to it.

If you did not use the solution and stuck it straight on with just the tape, then you might have a chance. But the fact that 3M stick tape is lately been absolutely awesome sticking power, I cant gaurantee anything. Heating it up will definetely help, what also might help if you could spray some GooGone from the side to sort of get it start eating at the glue while using the hairdryer, you might get it.

Dixit

 

Darn the truth hurts!

I can easily order the plastic vents from the dealership, and replace those pieces from a new kit (trim them down this time of course... sorry bastards).... but the face on the Bose is a whole nuther story!

 

 

You could try to find a cleaning product with silicone in it. I don't know if you have looked at the instructions on any of the web sites, but they all say not to use a silicone cleaner on them. This will cause the adhesive to loosen. Maybe you could try this and heating it to make it more flexible. It's worth giving it a shot.

 

Thanks, I appreciate any and all input!

 

if you just want to replace the pieces that had bad fitment go to miratrim.com

i recently replaced the trim around the stick because the kit that i originally purchased was for an auto and i have a stick.....unfortunatly that was the LAST piece that i put on so I didnt no it was wrong till everything else was already stuck to the car (and since i bought it on ebay oh well)

I finally located miratrim who was willing to cut only the piece that i needed!! and the quality of that piece is nicer than the older trim (dammit dammit dammit)

go to thier website and tell them that Annette sent ya (NO i don't work for them...but it's always nice to hear about a retailer who has good customer service ya dig?)

 

I installed the Aluminum Brush kit from custommaxima.com, but I didn't like it. Maybe I'm just not a dash kit kind of guy. I thought it looked cheap.

At any rate, after I installed it, I waited about an hour and removed it. I simply ripped off everything and no adhesive residue was present upon removal and no damage occured as a result. Of course, once the glue sets in the sun for a few days, it might be a different story.

-Left

 

I bought the aluminum dash kit about a year and a half ago. I took it out of the box and dry-fit the pieces to the door panels. It came with a lot of small pieces that went on the cruise control assembly on the steering wheel...just looked stupid IMO. I decided right then that cheap stuff wasn't going in my car. I boxed it back up and sent it back.

I would go for the form fitting kit but they are about $250.

 

i also think this looks cheap. id only go CF or genuine wood.

 

Thicknes: how much did you pay for your kit? Did you get the 15 or 21 piece kit? I checked them out online, and they seem to offer alot of different woodgrain styles. I really like that grey burl!

Personally, I think all the dash kits can look good, whether you go with alum, wood, or CF. Just make sure you get the real stuff, not the fake synthetic.

 

Finally! Someone who agrees with me. I had one in my old Max and I hated it with a passion. I think they look like stickers and whenever I get in someone's car who has one, I always notice the intallation imperfections.

The only one I would get are the solid ones, like the 2K GLE has on the base. And quite frankly, I don't think the wood really flows with the interior. I like it stock.....IMO

 

actually i didnt buy the whole kit from miratrim but have plans on replacing my current kit with thiers in the future

the complete kit is $160 (and once again if you do decide to purchase it tell them Annette sent you to get that price!!)


i only bought piece # 16 in the burlwood and it is lovely!!

the kit that I orginally bought on ebay was $125

 

Annette: Do you remember which type of kit you bought on EBay? I've seen some, I'm guessing it was the one from AlkaPlus? Their prices are comparable to Miratrim, but if you think the latter is better, then that's probably what I'll get! Either the grey burl or the bird's eye maple in a black leather interior...mmm....

 

Have you thought about letting the car sit in the direct sunlight with the windows up.or maybe blasting the heat.Better then using a heatgun.

 

the ebay seller was
morethanjustdashes and it was a 21 piece flat kit (front and rear doors, vents, dash elements, steering wheel, both cup holders)

its nice but miratrim makes a better fitting piece...even though the replacement piece that i got from miratrim is flat it covers up more of the dash...so once i make some other mods that are a priority then i will replace my dash kit with miratrims better fitting dash kit!!

 

Big Dog is RIGHT. I did that process, so I made sure I did the install RIGHT ! You can't make any mistakes, or you are screwed....If you cant do it, pay to have it done !

 

IMHO, the dash kit I purchased made a nice interior look..well...ghetto....for lack of a better word. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for improving the looks of the interior, but not at the expense of the original "feel" of the car. It just resembled aluminum stickers vice a nice ergonomic blend.

Maybe I'm getting old.

 

You are ! < after I was following you on the I 15 at 65 MPH !..... at 7 ish this morning ! Damn you drive slow !!!

 

Haha! I'm never in a hurry to get to work.