Interior piano black trim mini-correction

**CTSV** · 02-19-2012, 08:32 PM

I know it`s not perfect in the pics, but it should be noted that I did all of this inside an hour, first I started by hand and then I decided I needed some DA action with 4" pads. Went light with the product so it wouldn`t cake in the crevices and worked out pretty well. I could have gone for perfection with another one or two passes, but this stuff scratches so easily it`s not worth it imo.

just to reinforce this is SOFT paint; I managed to do full-blown correction with only 2-3 passes with basically jeweling product on the equivalent of LC blue pads on what are clearly TONS of RIDS and swirls. Finished up with some sealant wax I had from Adams. I also used their products here, their low-cut formulas are ideal here to say the least.

before;

after

before

after

oh yes, I removed the center trim, can`t get in those tight areas with the shiftier stalk right there. I may not do this again; the side wood trim pieces are in there pretty tight and I managed to scratch up the piano around it pretty good trying to get it off.

The area I had to pry at.. I`m sure If I go over it again I can remove all of them, but it`s never good having to fix stuff that you intentionally put in there..

Finished!

**C. Charles Hahn** · 02-19-2012, 11:08 PM

Looks good! What sort of pry tools were you using? I would say next time if you take that apart again, put some masking tape on the piano black piece and stick to plastic or nylon pry tools -- I picked up a cheap set at Harbor Freight that work great for stuff like that.

**lostdaytomorrow** · 02-19-2012, 11:10 PM

yup, you gotta get a set of interior panel removing tools. no more scratches like that.

And awesome job on that finish!

**Brad B** · 02-20-2012, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by C. Charles Hahn

I picked up a cheap set at Harbor Freight that work great for stuff like that.

I got mine from Harbor Freight, too. What a bargain for $5-6. I use them all the time.

**CTSV** · 02-20-2012, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by C. Charles Hahn

Looks good! What sort of pry tools were you using? I would say next time if you take that apart again, put some masking tape on the piano black piece and stick to plastic or nylon pry tools -- I picked up a cheap set at Harbor Freight that work great for stuff like that.

That`s what I was using, they`re a bit rough, so I could probably use another set. Theres not even 2mm of space to `wedge` something in there, and there in there TIGHT (reminds me of Audi interiors) but the tape is a good idea, thanks!

**CTSV** · 02-20-2012, 05:44 PM

so I went to HF today and did indeed find another $6 set of plastic trim pry bar tools, they might work a bit better, but what I really need is something like a metal

spatula or something..

excuse the mess, tapatalk forum posting in progress.

**Lowejackson** · 03-01-2012, 02:35 PM

Very impressive work.

Just on a side note, strips of duck tape make very good anti rattle tape if you have any strange vibrations with the replaced trim

**Captain McFunk** · 03-01-2012, 06:54 PM

This is the one thing I hate about my CTS-V. I cannot get those dang scratches out! Anyways, are you going to clear coat over it now?

**CTSV** · 03-01-2012, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by Captain McFunk

This is the one thing I hate about my CTS-V. I cannot get those dang scratches out! Anyways, are you going to clear coat over it now?

I think what I`m going to do with my next car is clear bra it.

**MSOsr** · 03-01-2012, 08:52 PM

The black drives me crazy on mine also. I wish there was some way to remove the radio knobs to really correct the area around them, but apparently they are somehow glued on.

I use 205 on a microfiber to remove what I can and then follow that with either Z-2 or a nicely scented carnauba (Zymol of some ilk).

Mike

**Captain McFunk** · 03-02-2012, 09:31 AM

see, i tried 205 on a microfiber and didn`t have much luck. I did get some of the scratches out, but there was still an ample amount left. i might take the piece off and use the focus pads on my pc to really get in there.

**MSOsr** · 03-02-2012, 01:29 PM

Are you talking about removing the whole piece with the knobs attached? Apparently, once the entire piece is off, you can unscrew the radio from the back and have the knobs out of the way. Seems like a lot of work though. I think that`s what Matt of OCarbon did to cover the piece with real carbon fiber.

You could try 105 or something stronger first.

Mike