[Schm]

[EDIT: Here are some pics after touching-up and some de-doing. Even after that I still made changes so it looks better ]
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=419881

Ok, well I just finished installing the last trim piece on the car, and I'd like to share a couple quick reflections about the bitch of a project this was. .

My original interior was poplar wood/Savannah beige. 6 speed without I-drive. Below is a before picture.



Before you even start thinking about doing this project yourself, let's be clear on a couple things. First, it's time consuming. Second, it's a bitch, you have to be a BMW zen master, and keep your cool, be patient and not hit/kick or throw things when things get hard (Which they will).

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=253665

Also, before you do it READ these DIY tips. I didn't see this until I was almost done. It would have saved me sooo much time, all the issues he faced were basically the exact same ones that I had problems with, plus he gives you links to the BEST DIYs and articles. Also, the DIY I originally was following by PYSpeed, who I bought the vinyl from, was not very good at all! I would expect something better from the people that sold me the stuff! But, carrying on. Here are a few of the pictures from my install process.



Managed to wedge the interior trim off. Was a bit difficult, but just be patient, and follow this (http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...89#post2564189) very good DIY, which honestly just pissed me off because you see how easy it would be if you just had to install CF trim. Ah, the life of a poor student .



Trim is all off.


Missouri summers are SO hot, I was steaming in my garage doing this, and it was at like 1130 at night.


Man vs. Car

[Schm]

Keep in mind that I have never worked with vinyl before, and received a B- in 9th grade Home Econ


You can see the rippling on the left corner, needs to be re-done






Some more bubbling around central air-vents.


Central top section needs to be adjusted and more glue applied.






You can see the small ripples in the vinyl because of the flash, in person it looks really good



Well, I'm done for now, but like I said, I've got even more touching-up to do tomorrow. Oh, the things I do for my car.

[lpphreakx06]

Nice first try, needs some polishing but you've got the basic idea. ..Hope it works out.

[Schm]

Originally Posted by lpphreakx06

Nice first try, needs some polishing but you've got the basic idea. ..Hope it works out.

Yeah, all in all, I feel way more capable working with vinyl. I'd say that if I were to do this all over again, I'd have it done in 5 hours! I would rate the vinyl from PYSpeed as good, they shipped fast and it seems to be very durable high-quality material. Also, I only ordered 1 yard and that was more than enough.

Good luck everybody, and can the mods sticky that DIY tips thread in the DIY section?

[lito]

Looks great with Beige

[ibeclueless]

looks good

[inandout]

kudos for doing it yourself, but the finish looks terrible/amateur.

[Prodipper]

OP I think a heat blower would help specially when stretching out the fabric around the corners.

[ska///235i]

get someone to help you out
If you,re in boston area, i can help you

[alexc93]

looks kinda shitty lol...id redo

[chrisE92]

why does everything look so wet afterwards? lol

[wj4]

Originally Posted by chrisE92

why does everything look so wet afterwards? lol

Maybe he wet the surface before applying the vinyl and used something like a credit card to squeeze out the water from underneath to avoid bubbles? At least this is what I've seen done on big stickers/vinyls on cars (to avoid bubbles under).

I went the opposite route as the OP. I also have poplar/beige. I went with a carbon fiber replacement fit about 2 years ago and got bored of it. Switched it back to poplar last week.

[chrisE92]

Originally Posted by wj4

Maybe he wet the surface before applying the vinyl and used something like a credit card to squeeze out the water from underneath to avoid bubbles? At least this is what I've seen done on big stickers/vinyls on cars (to avoid bubbles under).

I went the opposite route as the OP. I also have poplar/beige. I went with a carbon fiber replacement fit about 2 years ago and got bored of it. Switched it back to poplar last week.

Come to think of it, you're right.. I have seen that. But this material isn't really vinyl, it's an elastic fabric, so I wasn't aware that the same technique was of any use.

OP I'm not sure why you went ahead and reinstalled your trim.. you said yourself that you're just gonna have to redo it anyway good luck

[Schm]

Originally Posted by alexc93

looks kinda shitty lol...id redo

Ill show more pics when I'm completely finished, it's still a work in progress.

Originally Posted by ska325xi

get someone to help you out
If you,re in boston area, i can help you

Thanks, but I'm in Kansas City

Originally Posted by pcarela

OP I think a heat blower would help specially when stretching out the fabric around the corners.

Ill try that out when I touch it up.

Originally Posted by chrisE92

Come to think of it, you're right.. I have seen that. But this material isn't really vinyl, it's an elastic fabric, so I wasn't aware that the same technique was of any use.

OP I'm not sure why you went ahead and reinstalled your trim.. you said yourself that you're just gonna have to redo it anyway good luck

The only part that needs re-installed is the dash. Everything else turned out alright. It takes literally a minute or two to uninstall the dash, and I wanted to at least see the finished product.

The reason that it is wet is because I had some over spray on the outer side of the fabric; I applied some goo-gone to a paper towel and it came right off.

[jgerv]

Good work man. Definitely a good attempt and great move in the right direction interior wise.

[Krozi]

Your car is really clean.

[bavarian19]

Originally Posted by lpphreakx06

Nice first try, needs some polishing but you've got the basic idea. ..Hope it works out.

+1

[inandout]

Wsto and 808 carry fabric that does not require any spraying. It's got sticky stuff on the fabric already so it's a lot less hassle to stretch/apply.

[phattbam]

I thought CF looked great on beige as well when I did it... take your time when you do it.. it's definitely a weekend project as you want to allow enough time for it to dry.

[ylincooper]

Geez.. Thats the worst work ive seen all week

[C62335i]

big improvement over the wood

[Kriston]

Send it in to get it wrapped man. Good try but not sufficient for a bmw