Painting the HVAC trim piece

[VibeHigher]

I've noticed that no one (that I've seen) has painted the HVAC part of the trim. I'm guessing because it would cover up the control icons. Unfortunetly, that piece of trim is scratched to hell on my Vibe and I'd like to paint it.I think I have a few options:1) Using clear tape, tape over the parts I don't want to paint then cut carefully around them with an xacto knife. This could also be done with pre-cut circle stickers to cover only the important icons.2) Paint over everything, then design stickers in Photoshop to replace the control icons, then send the designs to be printed on vinyl.3) Paint over everything, then have an artist paint some awesome graphics on there that replace the control icons.Personally...if it would look good...I'd do #3. Too bad I don't know of anyone who could do that...

[Whelan]

Why not pull off that part of the dash, and trace the markings on it. Then paint the whole thing, then find where the markings are, cut them out to match, then have a full sheet of hazy translucent vinyl put behind the paints part, reapply and adhere. That way you can still have the stock colors and control lighting.It's hard to explain for me but I know what I'm thinking. Just like they design gauges, get someone to make a template of the shape of the HVAC area in transparent vinyl. Then have them make a white or color of your choice vinyl of the HVAC area with the controls cut out. Then you put the color or to be painted one on top of the transparent vinyl one, and you still get all your stock night lighting to come through and you will still see the markings )It would look like this.back of dash-------------------translucent hazy vinyl++++++++++++Painted HVAC cover============

[millster]

http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=21668Actually, Psychobroker did paint his and redid the icons with his own design.

[WaveAction]

kinda look like cartoon stickers of what pyscho did..but i like the heating and cooling part..kinda cool..i was thinking of doing something different aswell..for the speakers...putting a tweater where the hazard button is..then moving the hazard button below the ac button

[VivaVibe]

I don't get it? No need to go to all that toruble. If all you want is a panel that isn't all marred up, why not get a decent one from a salvage yard?

[WaveAction]

already ahead of ya..lol..i plan on attempting carbon fibre aswell so im getting parts from the junkers if i can find a junker with a vibe..which is gonna be hard..

[VibeHigher]

Well, I figured I wouldn't want to replace the scratched pieces with other pieces having a similarly poor paint job. I'd rather sand off all this crappy paint and put on something nice and more durable. And in the process, why not make it something sexy like a metallic black or pearl grey?

[WaveAction]

that'll look cool, i dont know how im gonna do it all..either the waveblue..or just figure out how to do CF and go that route

[DavidPIL]

I would also suggest http://www.alloverlays.com/. You can do your HVAC controls up in a variety of colors. I painted my plastic parts Gold and purchased a black overlay. THe qualiy of the piece is good but the mounting needs some help. They only use 6 small tape pieces around the overlay instead of a full sticky backing. I was concerned about the lack of lilghting coming through the overlay so I carefully removed the piece from the HVAC plastic cover thing then placed the overlay. It looks fine, though I messed mine up a little trying to glue it differently.I'm working on getting a digital camera so I don't currently have pics but once I get one, I will do it up.Dave

[VibeHigher]

Fantastic find, Dave! I might work up something in photoshop and have them produce a custom part. Sweeeeeet...

[DavidPIL]

Thanks man, but that wasn't my find. I saw it on some thread here a while ago. This is definitely easier than painting that particular piece.Dave