Radio Knobs, Custom Lights, and Carbon Fiber

[Larz]

Seems the "what have you done to your M" thread is no longer in the sticky section (I was sure it used to be there).

Regardless ... I have been asked to post close-ups and details about the radio knobs that I installed (after knicking the idea from another clever member, LOL). I can't remember his name but I knicked the carbon fiber idea AND the knob idea form him so HE should get the credit for this. I shall also post the recently complete custom VHT tail design I did as well as the other lighting stuff.

The radio knobs are available on Ebay. They are size 21 x 17 with a silver finish. Here is the link, pictures follow ...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3p-21x17-SILVER ... 2671wt_966

They are from China (I know!) but these really ARE quality pieces and they fit snug as the OEM black knobs and perform the same. I added a bit of paper inside the passenger knob as it went too far down on the spindle to allow pushing inwards. After using these knobs, I reckon the absolute pefect fit is 22 x 16 but mine fit perfectly snug and don't wiggle - they just allow a wee bit more of the yellow light surrounding them at night.


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The rest of the exterior and lighting mods:


1) Morimoto Xeonon 6k headlamps (done ages ago),
2) New design for the eyebrows using VHT NIghtshades and clearcoat
3) Phillips 'DayLight-8' LED DRLs (also ages ago)
4) Front side markers also covered with VHT Nightshades leaving a very lightly tinted square over the actual bulb
5) New design for the tail turning lenses VHT Nightshades and clearcoat with light / dark coats to make bars of light
6) Vled Triton turn signal bulbs, Vled brand LED bulbs everywhere else inside and out.
7) Trunk spoiler
8) Roof spoiler
9) Plasti-Dipped grill and peeled dip off of the emblem - taped over the rows of little nipples so they are still chrome
10) Plasti-Dip on the rear trunk trim pieces, upper and lower - scored the letters and peeled the dip from them
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Thanks to my mate, Marty for the use of his driveway whilst we waited to go to rugby practice!
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[Wangtang408]

This seller is currently away until Feb 05, 2014, and is not processing orders at this time. You can add this item to your watch list to purchase later.

[Larz]

This seller is currently away until Feb 05, 2014, and is not processing orders at this time. You can add this item to your watch list to purchase later.

It's NOT my fault !!! BTW it took about 2 weeks to get here.

[DoN_BLaZe34]

The Chinese New Year is the reason for the seller being away.

[06M4.5]

They are also sold here:

http://nt-c.biz/SHOP/271/558/list.html

really nice looking and heated seat knob too

[Wangtang408]

This seller is currently away until Feb 05, 2014, and is not processing orders at this time. You can add this item to your watch list to purchase later.

It's NOT my fault !!! BTW it took about 2 weeks to get here.

HAHA I know it's not.

@Don - Duh I should have known, I'm Vietnamese/Chinese

[DoN_BLaZe34]

Hahaha nice

[Larz]

I could be wrong but I believe China pretty much shuts down for the holidays unti February. Just hang on for 6 more days and BAM - Bob's your uncle!

[patmcd06]

Hey Larz, where did you get the carbon fiber? Your ride is looing good!!

[Wangtang408]

Nice looking tail lights!

[Larz]

Hey Larz, where did you get the carbon fiber? Your ride is looing good!!

Thanks mate ! It's '3M 1080 Gloss black' and I used a total of 3 pieces 12x12in each. One for the multi-switch on the dash, one for cup-holder door, and one for the rest of the upper console surface. Super easy to work with and I used a hair dryer to help warm it to fit corners, etc.

[Larz]

Nice looking tail lights!

Thank You, Mr Wang ! Ha that sounds like a good name for a James Bond film villain!

[Larz]

They are also sold here:

http://nt-c.biz/SHOP/271/558/list.html

really nice looking and heated seat knob too

Great find, Freddie !
Now if only I could read fluent Japanese to see if that seat knob might fit my non-AWD seat switches.

[TXT]

The VHT mods to your lights look better than I thought. I'm sure it helps that your car is black so it helps transition from the dark tail lights/eyebrows to the rest of the car.

[Wangtang408]

Nice looking tail lights!

Thank You, Mr Wang ! Ha that sounds like a good name for a James Bond film villain!

Are they casting for the coming up 007?

[06M4.5]

Larz I think you should translate the price 1st

Let me know what it is.

[TDot]

They are also sold here:

http://nt-c.biz/SHOP/271/558/list.html

really nice looking and heated seat knob too

I wish I knew how to buy from there. I prefer that one because it doesn't have that little notch on it indicating placement.

[Larz]

The VHT mods to your lights look better than I thought. I'm sure it helps that your car is black so it helps transition from the dark tail lights/eyebrows to the rest of the car.

Agreed. Having a black car made my tails and eyebrows quite simple.
You could still use Nightshades on your tail lights. I went extra heavy (3-4 coats) along the outer-most edges of my lenses to make them 'fade' into the black car. You would just spray an even 2 coats across the entire surface - that creates a nice dark cherry colour on the entire lens without the dark edges where they meet the car. Then spray 3-4 coats of DupliColor clearcoat. Then wet sand by hand with 2000 gtit sand paper till they are evenly fogged and smooth and polish with Meguiars Ultimate polish.
For eyebrows, you'd still need to wet sand the area you're painting with 2000 grit sand paper (by hand till the surface is fogged but feels even and smooth to the touch). Then 2-3 coats of colour-matched spray paint from Infiniti. Then the rest of the job is the same - cover it with 3-4 coats of DupliColor clearcoat, and polish it with Meguiar's Ultimate polish so the finished surface has the same colour and texture as the rest of the car.
Sorry, I know you didn't even ask! I just got to blathering and couldn't stop, LOL.

[kingleonides]

Seems the "what have you done to your M" thread is no longer in the sticky section (I was sure it used to be there).

Regardless ... I have been asked to post close-ups and details about the radio knobs that I installed (after knicking the idea from another clever member, LOL). I can't remember his name but I knicked the carbon fiber idea AND the knob idea form him so HE should get the credit for this. I shall also post the recently complete custom VHT tail design I did as well as the other lighting stuff.

The radio knobs are available on Ebay. They are size 21 x 17 with a silver finish. Here is the link, pictures follow ...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3p-21x17-SILVER ... 2671wt_966

They are from China (I know!) but these really ARE quality pieces and they fit snug as the OEM black knobs and perform the same. I added a bit of paper inside the passenger knob as it went too far down on the spindle to allow pushing inwards. After using these knobs, I reckon the absolute pefect fit is 22 x 16 but mine fit perfectly snug and don't wiggle - they just allow a wee bit more of the yellow light surrounding them at night.


.

.

.

.

.

.
The rest of the exterior and lighting mods:


1) Morimoto Xeonon 6k headlamps (done ages ago),
2) New design for the eyebrows using VHT NIghtshades and clearcoat
3) Phillips 'DayLight-8' LED DRLs (also ages ago)
4) Front side markers also covered with VHT Nightshades leaving a very lightly tinted square over the actual bulb
5) New design for the tail turning lenses VHT Nightshades and clearcoat with light / dark coats to make bars of light
6) Vled Triton turn signal bulbs, Vled brand LED bulbs everywhere else inside and out.
7) Trunk spoiler
8) Roof spoiler
9) Plasti-Dipped grill and peeled dip off of the emblem - taped over the rows of little nipples so they are still chrome
10) Plasti-Dip on the rear trunk trim pieces, upper and lower - scored the letters and peeled the dip from them
.

..

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Thanks to my mate, Marty for the use of his driveway whilst we waited to go to rugby practice!
.

Hello Larz i like what you"ve done to your m35, i am also from ft lauderdale Tamarac i could i meet up so you can help fix up my 2007 M35 with a few things you have
looks, nice

[kingleonides]

Larz I like what you"ve done to your ride, I live in Ft. Lauderdale Tamarac. I just got a 2007 M35, could i meet up with you and you could let me know how to purchase or get some of the cool things you"ve done. If possible you could call me at 954-980-1115. Leo is my name Later!!!!!

[TDot]

You might want to take your phone number out and MSG him.

Also, how did you pop the buttons out Larz? You took the console off and just pushed it out from behind?

[Larz]

If you mean the radio buttons, they pull off from the front - no need to remove anything.
If you mean the multi-switch (A/S, NAV. etc) you have to remove the unit form the car, then unscrew the back from the unit (6 or so tiny screws) to remove the actual face. Then you have to push each of like 24 buttons out from the back. I used a small screwdriver and they are a tight fit and hard to push out. After almost pushing the screwdriver THRU on of the buttons AHHH!, I decided to find a small piece of plastic and cut it down so I could place the plastic against the inside of the button and pushed against the plastic instead of against the actual backside of the buttons.
It almost sounds like they are breaking when they pop out, but they don't. They seem to have little clip-like fasteners around the back edges where they click into the face, but I couldn't work out how to gently release those clips.
I reckon if you popped the same button out repeatedly by my method, it would evntually break but pushing each one out only once doesn't seem to do any harm.

[Larz]

Larz I like what you"ve done to your ride, I live in Ft. Lauderdale Tamarac. I just got a 2007 M35, could i meet up with you and you could let me know how to purchase or get some of the cool things you"ve done. If possible you could call me. Leo is my name Later!!!!!

Thanks mate. Sounds like a good idea. I'm pretty tight now for time with rugby tourneys, work , and my fiancee dutys, LOL. I'll message you when I'm more available.

[mr_luv]

Ordered my knobs tonight.

[TDot]

I tried pulling the radio knobs, they didn't seem to budge.

[06M4.5]

pull harder

[Larz]

Maybe try wrapping the knobs in a microfiber towel and using pliers? Mine came off with my naked digits and considerable pulling power.

No need to post anything about pulling or yanking, Antz .... just sayin' LOL

[Godfoot]

Maybe try wrapping the knobs in a microfiber towel and using pliers? Mine came off with my naked digits and considerable pulling power.

No need to post anything about pulling or yanking, Antz .... just sayin' LOL

Well...there goes my fun... JKJK

[calidoso]

Just installed mine, definitely makes a difference. I was able to pull them off with my hands.

[Vvsm45]

Nice!