348 Sticky bits sorted and interior spruce up

[CLIVE77]

I've been searching for ages for someone to to an OEM black soft touch rubber finish to replace the sticky bits on my dash. I've been to Le Carousel Industrial Paint Finishers at Silchester in Berkshire http://www.lecarouselipf.co.uk/cms/ who use a German rubber paint and lacquer than is identical to the factory finish. These guys got a totally factory finish - my I-phone camera doesn't do it justice!

I had to get the old sticky rubber off first. patience is a virtue and lots of the wife's nail varnish remover. That was much better than the oven cleaners and sticky remover spray that others seem to use.

My only problem is where to get the white decals for the fascia vent. Any ideas from anyone????????

The seats needed some attention. They were last had some connolising at 9000 miles so I got Dave Bowerman at Sportscar Protection to give them thew once over. They're now just like new. Whilst the interior was out, it seemed a good idea to respray the accelerator pedal as well.

It all should look good when I fit it all back together - but I've run out of time for now as I've got to take the wife on hols first DOH !

 

[Nosevi]

Looks great, Clive :thumbsup:

Regarding the decals, I seem to recall that Matt at D2Detail said he'd be able to get some for my car but we forgot to do it in the end. You can probably get in touch with him through Shiltech.

Regarding the pedals I'm going to make all sorts of assumptions here but I'd definitely leave them till you get back - if your other half opens a suitcase to find car parts and spray paint in it you're probably going to regret it for a bit. Experience - it was golf clubs in the boot when we got there and there just happened to be a range down the road but the same probably applies

 

[Arron]

Looking really good Clive !

For the air vents, did you break them down at all or did the company paint them all in one big bit ?

Also, did they offer you the facility to remove the old paint themselves ?

Any chance you can give us an idea of the cost involved in the process ?

Cheers

Arron

 

[Total Performance]

I've used white letraset stickers before, something like these:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Letraset-...rs-3mm-White-RDC0130-/221191645962#vi-content

 

[jjf355]

Hi Clive, I know you say the pictures don't do it justice, but it looks bloody awesome to me. I've not long gone through the same process so I can tell that the finish you have there looks spot on. I didn't worry about the white dots on the vents. Probably not in the spirit of traditional Ferrari ownership but I'm happy.

 

[CLIVE77]

Arron
Looking really good Clive !

For the air vents, did you break them down at all or did the company paint them all in one big bit ?

Also, did they offer you the facility to remove the old paint themselves ?

Any chance you can give us an idea of the cost involved in the process ?

Sorry about the delay in replying, Arron. Been away on hols. Here's answers to your questions

1 Vents - I stripped out and disassembled the swivel part of the vent but left the wheel in place. It was quite easy - just like an Airfix model!
2 The person who told me about them did his own stripping and indicated that that was what had to happen. I didn't ask the guys at Le Carousel if they would strip the parts - it will always be much cheaper if you can do the time consuming bit yourself. They did say that they had the right 'stuff' to sort out any sticky that I had left so I assume that they can if you ask. In fact it was quite easy and didn't take as long as I feared. Probably three evenings work is what it took me.
3 Costs - all my bits came to about £150 ex vat to be sprayed and lacquered. They also did some regular powder coating for me - the metal grilles in the front wheel arch and both sill plates. That pushed the price up to £180 - still great value.

I'm incredibly happy with the finish - it really is soft touch just like the factory finish - so much better than a hard finish. It seems tough as well - only time will tell - but no more sticky!!

I've just got the car interior back together - I'm really pleased with the result. Not too shabby for a car I've thrashed up to 34K miles.

Thanks guys for the ideals on the white decals for the vent. Now I'm back in circulation, I got to get this sorted.

 

[Arron]

Another something to do over winter methinks !

Car looks awesome Clive, well done and thanks for sharing.

 

[irarref]

Looks top dollar!

 

[CLIVE77]

I finally got the decals sorted for my non sticky dashboard vent. It was Robbie from Stickynomore in the US that came through for me. He very kindly sent me what I needed. Top man Robbie!!

Prep for the Concours is nearly complete. Its been very frustrating though. The paint shop that was going to respray a few panels got sent a bad match from Glasurit for the Rosso Corsa FER 300/12 paint. It was too late to change so I've been having a bit of work done on the paint from Ian at Sportscar Protection instead. Still one day to go which will see the polish, sealant and Carnuba wax added. The pic is of the car with no polish - should be stunning when its complete.

 

[Terry]

Looks magnificent Clive, your hard work shows. :thumbsup:

See you at Walton Hall.