[UKF30]

Right this is what i want to do is to paint door ambient light strip to match dash same as newer LCI models .

i seen someone done this in US but when i checked his pictures of door card he has trim screwed on but when i checked mine it was hot glued on similar to dash trim to bottom coloured strip .

pic 1 back of my door card
pic 2 back of US door card
pic 3/4 what i am trying to do , but i will be painting mine in Gloss black

Anyone attempted to do this before ?

if so , please share how to and if anyone knows how to removes those hot glued strip and glue it back on

[Darth Helmut]

The American door card screws look a bit 'after market'; I.e non OEM?

As for yours, I would suggest a heat gun or hair drier on the glued parts to make the glue soft and mailable. This should allow you to pop the trims out. You may need to use a sharp scalpel to initially score or cut the glue blobs.

To paint. Clean with white spirit, use very fine wet and dry paper to rough the surface, clean again. Use a primer. Really fine wet and dry to ensure an even surface with no impurities. Use a modellers spray can (finer paint molecules than Halfords type rattle can) or if you have one available; an airbrush to apply numerous thin layers of paint. If you want a gloss black finish, use satin black paint and allow the lacquer layers to 'gloss' it out. Satin is easier to work with. When completely dry, rub over with a polishing compound then apply several coats of lacquer. Ensure that if you use an oil based paint, use an oil based lacquerer. If you use a water based paint, use a water based lacquerer. When thats completely dry (a day to be safe), finish with a final polishing compound and buffing sponge. Refit trims and use a glue gun to re-affix. Make sure they are firmly attached to prevent squeaks and rattles.

I have a bit of experience of all of the above due to doing a lot of work replacing and modifying my door cards in my former Porsche and Range Rover and am also considered a 'master modeller' so know my way around painting and finishing to a good level

[UKF30]

Symbol-formerly Mr Helmut

That's great write up and help my friend

I knew about painting but you had some extra good point but I just didn't know how to remove that damn thing , I spoke to that American dude and found out that he screwed it back on rather than glue

Can I do that ?

I will take one door card off today let's see how it goes or I will be buying another one next week

[betty02]

I had a similar car like this and I can't remember which. The forum had an amazing write up!!

Basically as said, heat them up then use a knife or something to fold the ends up giving it enough room slide out when your ready, with the plastic pop rivets heat them and just simply make a flat cut across taking the end off, you can then remove it.

Once your done painting etc etc, slide it back it, heat the tabs back up and and fold the "flaps" back around the doorcard to hold them in, either plastic rivet the ends back in or a self tapping screw with a washer!

It's easily doable, I will try dig out that guide today! Going to view an F30 and have a meal so maybe this evening!

But I'm sure you get the jist!

Some people used to just grind/sand then flat and let it pop out then plastic weld it back in, that is much quicker, but the above method is a little neater although a lot more time consuming and fiddly!

[UKF30]

Thanks mate and good luck with getting F30

[MickyD'bo]

I'm watching this with great interest. My issue is that I couldnt even manage to get the door card off. Very cack-handed. I would pay to have this done though. Not going first!

[UKF30]

Originally Posted by dobbo9

I'm watching this with great interest. My issue is that I couldnt even manage to get the door card off. Very cack-handed. I would pay to have this done though. Not going first!

I watched this video and did exactly as video and man it was very easy to remove , normally door cards are bastards to remove but this was very easy

Let's see how I get on and I will try to put as much as possible and then you can have a go

[MickyD'bo]

Originally Posted by UKF30

I watched this video and did exactly as video and man it was very easy to remove , normally door cards are bastards to remove but this was very easy

Let's see how I get on and I will try to put as much as possible and then you can have a go

Cheers man. Can't wait...You can do it. Come on!

[teaston]

Originally Posted by UKF30

Right this is what i want to do is to paint door ambient light strip to match dash same as newer LCI models .

i seen someone done this in US but when i checked his pictures of door card he has trim screwed on but when i checked mine it was hot glued on similar to dash trim to bottom coloured strip .

pic 1 back of my door card
pic 2 back of US door card
pic 3/4 what i am trying to do , but i will be painting mine in Gloss black

Anyone attempted to do this before ?

if so , please share how to and if anyone knows how to removes those hot glued strip and glue it back on

Both door card fixings look the same to me!?

[UKF30]

Right door card is off and trim is off too

Trim is bastard to come off but with heat gun it came off and now fun begins of painting

Let's hope all good as planned

[M40CCA]

Originally Posted by UKF30

Right door card is off and trim is off too

Trim is bastard to come off but with heat gun it came off and now fun begins of painting

Let's hope all good as planned

Good work mate

[UKF30]

M40CCA Thanks bro and man it's a lot of work just to paint these damn strips

Here is progress so far in my attic which is my paint shop time to time or modding place , now just waiting for it to dry then polish back on door card .

I took ambient light strip out which makes it easier to paint rather than masking it all

I did

wet and sand with very fine paper
I coat of plastic primer
2 coats of Gloss black
2 coats of clear lacquer

I have also painted small switch button in Gloss black coz hate than being black plastic

[M40CCA]

Originally Posted by UKF30

M40CCA Thanks bro and man it's a lot of work just to paint these damn strips

Here is progress so far in my attic which is my paint shop time to time or modding place , now just waiting for it to dry then polish back on door card .

I took ambient light strip out which makes it easier to paint rather than masking it all

I did

wet and sand with very fine paper
I coat of plastic primer
2 coats of Gloss black
2 coats of clear lacquer

I have also painted small switch button in Gloss black coz hate than being black plastic

Looking good bro

[CazuaLLUK]

We love a good mod bro!

[roll_the_dice]

Did the LED light strip pull out easily? I am definitely doing this mod soon to EBII. If you have decent amount of plastic left on the ambient light trim, you can buy some ABS plastic rods and use a soldering iron and weld them back into place. This is what I am going to do. I have done it to other BMW trim and it works great!

[F15CCT]

Out of interest what is the ambient strip light? As in could you replace it for something either brighter (mines very dull in my eyes and on the max settings) or that could use different colours like the mercs do?

[M40CCA]

Originally Posted by F15CCT

Out of interest what is the ambient strip light? As in could you replace it for something either brighter (mines very dull in my eyes and on the max settings) or that could use different colours like the mercs do?

I'm disappointed with it in mine
The white you can't really see
The orange is just ok


The E class I had, had blue and white which both were very bright

Would be good if it could be changed

[UKF30]

Originally Posted by F15CCT

Out of interest what is the ambient strip light? As in could you replace it for something either brighter (mines very dull in my eyes and on the max settings) or that could use different colours like the mercs do?

They are very dull mate and there is nothing you can do about it

i have read an american thread that guy replaced LED module to new LCI ones and it was brighter but i think i will be changing who LED strip with new one , NEXT MOD

Originally Posted by M40CCA

I'm disappointed with it in mine
The white you can't really see
The orange is just ok

The E class I had, had blue and white which both were very bright

Would be good if it could be changed

You are right these ambient hard to see where as Merc ones are brighter and beautiful , i had E350 on 63 when facelift model came out and those interior lighter were beauty

[UKF30]

Right one door card done and 3 to go

Everything back in door card and will be fitting it tomorrow after work

[M40CCA]

Originally Posted by UKF30

They are very dull mate and there is nothing you can do about it

i have read an american thread that guy replaced LED module to new LCI ones and it was brighter but i think i will be changing who LED strip with new one , NEXT MOD

You are right these ambient hard to see where as Merc ones are brighter and beautiful , i had E350 on 63 when facelift model came out and those interior lighter were beauty

My lci isn't bright so the pre lci must be shocking

I had a E350 15plste before mine

[M40CCA]

Originally Posted by UKF30

Right one door card done and 3 to go

Everything back in door card and will be fitting it tomorrow after work

Good job

As I say looks the dogs mate

[UKF30]

Originally Posted by M40CCA

I'm disappointed with it in mine
The white you can't really see
The orange is just ok

The E class I had, had blue and white which both were very bright

Would be good if it could be changed

Here is that thread with upgraded ambient lights

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1173160

Also check picture we can change white LED to BLUe