A Question for Stef_Uk

Teflon · 6th April 2007, 13:49

Hope you don't mind me asking, but I saw the excellent job you made of applying the wood effect film to your Alpine head unit (http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...yimg&imgid=894)

I've just attempted to do the same to mine, but hit a snag straight away - how did you get the "face plate" off the Alpine in order to do the work? I took my unit out of the dash, and removed 4 small screws (2 at the top, to at the sides) which looked like they were holding the front in place, but even with these removed, nothing would budge, and I must admit I am stumped.

Any advice would be most welcome.

Regards,

Cliff

stef_uk · 6th April 2007, 14:26

yes cliff i was stumped at first...but like everything once you know how its easy.

ok it has moulded clips all the way round but the bottom ones are the big ones hense no screws...so you need to pull up and forward at the top of the unit and then the sides...you will hear a nice crack sound(i thought mine was broke when that happened), and then it should come free...

another tip is the area around the volume/bass/treb dial is raised quite alot so when you have applied the film work these areas first with a hot hairdryer as a warm one won't create enough strech as its at the limit of its streching capacity and then let it cool for 5 mins before continuing

hth and good luck

don't forget the pics after

stef
thx for the thumbs up too

Teflon · 6th April 2007, 15:43

Many thanks for the quick response. Now I know what I will be doing tomorrow!

I'll let you know how I get on - if it looks anywhere near as good as yours I'll be well pleased.

Cliff

Teflon · 7th April 2007, 09:49

Just a quick update:

I got the Symphony face plate off (thanks Stef_UK), and duly spent two and a half hours last night carefully applying the film. Looked pretty good to me, so put everything back and left it until today to take some photos.

Went to the car this morning, and sadly, the result wasn't as good as I'd hoped. The film had lifted and creased in a number of areas (possible overuse of the hair dryer?) and the cut outs for the switches were far rougher than they seemed last night (must have been tired!). The bottom line is that it is all going to have to be removed, as it "cheapens" the interior (can't have that) and I will have to think again. I'll probably try the Walnut Dash co next. Hopefully they will supply the colour as specified by Panrock (see post 40 here: http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...?t=2305&page=4).

Anyway, tops marks to Stefi_UK - clearly more patient / careful than me!

Cliff

stef_uk · 7th April 2007, 20:00

sorry to here your results were not as good as you hoped cliff...i did use a surgeons scapel to cut my holes...very precise and clean cuts...send me your film and your front and i will do it for you

Rich · 9th April 2007, 13:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by stef_uk

i did use a surgeons scapel to cut my holes...very precise and clean cuts

Ditto, a Stanley just isn't up to the job.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stef_uk

send me your film and your front and i will do it for you

How's that for an offer!!!

Teflon · 9th April 2007, 15:44

Sadly, the "lions share" of my film is now used, but thanks anyway. Ill ring the Walnut Dash Co tomorrow and see what their samples are like.

On a similar note, is anyone else here tempted by the window switches on the Chinese MG7? I would think that once a dealer network is setup it should be worth pursuing.

Cliff

6th April 2007, 13:49	#1
Teflon This is my second home Lagoon 2.0 V6 75 Conn SE Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chertsey Posts: 5,203 Thanks: 2,825 Thanked 2,920 Times in 1,570 Posts	A Question for Stef_Uk Hope you don't mind me asking, but I saw the excellent job you made of applying the wood effect film to your Alpine head unit (http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...yimg&imgid=894) I've just attempted to do the same to mine, but hit a snag straight away - how did you get the "face plate" off the Alpine in order to do the work? I took my unit out of the dash, and removed 4 small screws (2 at the top, to at the sides) which looked like they were holding the front in place, but even with these removed, nothing would budge, and I must admit I am stumped. Any advice would be most welcome. Regards, Cliff

6th April 2007, 14:26	#2
stef_uk Gets stuck in ZT75 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: leicestershire Posts: 904 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	yes cliff i was stumped at first...but like everything once you know how its easy. ok it has moulded clips all the way round but the bottom ones are the big ones hense no screws...so you need to pull up and forward at the top of the unit and then the sides...you will hear a nice crack sound(i thought mine was broke when that happened), and then it should come free... another tip is the area around the volume/bass/treb dial is raised quite alot so when you have applied the film work these areas first with a hot hairdryer as a warm one won't create enough strech as its at the limit of its streching capacity and then let it cool for 5 mins before continuing hth and good luck don't forget the pics after stef thx for the thumbs up too __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

7th April 2007, 20:00	#5
stef_uk Gets stuck in ZT75 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: leicestershire Posts: 904 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	sorry to here your results were not as good as you hoped cliff...i did use a surgeons scapel to cut my holes...very precise and clean cuts...send me your film and your front and i will do it for you __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

6th April 2007, 15:43	#3
Teflon This is my second home Lagoon 2.0 V6 75 Conn SE Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chertsey Posts: 5,203 Thanks: 2,825 Thanked 2,920 Times in 1,570 Posts	Many thanks for the quick response. Now I know what I will be doing tomorrow! I'll let you know how I get on - if it looks anywhere near as good as yours I'll be well pleased. Cliff

7th April 2007, 09:49	#4
Teflon This is my second home Lagoon 2.0 V6 75 Conn SE Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chertsey Posts: 5,203 Thanks: 2,825 Thanked 2,920 Times in 1,570 Posts	Just a quick update: I got the Symphony face plate off (thanks Stef_UK), and duly spent two and a half hours last night carefully applying the film. Looked pretty good to me, so put everything back and left it until today to take some photos. Went to the car this morning, and sadly, the result wasn't as good as I'd hoped. The film had lifted and creased in a number of areas (possible overuse of the hair dryer?) and the cut outs for the switches were far rougher than they seemed last night (must have been tired!). The bottom line is that it is all going to have to be removed, as it "cheapens" the interior (can't have that) and I will have to think again. I'll probably try the Walnut Dash co next. Hopefully they will supply the colour as specified by Panrock (see post 40 here: http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...?t=2305&page=4). Anyway, tops marks to Stefi_UK - clearly more patient / careful than me! Cliff

9th April 2007, 15:44	#7
Teflon This is my second home Lagoon 2.0 V6 75 Conn SE Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chertsey Posts: 5,203 Thanks: 2,825 Thanked 2,920 Times in 1,570 Posts	Sadly, the "lions share" of my film is now used, but thanks anyway. Ill ring the Walnut Dash Co tomorrow and see what their samples are like. On a similar note, is anyone else here tempted by the window switches on the Chinese MG7? I would think that once a dealer network is setup it should be worth pursuing. Cliff