I just picked up an AP1 (2001) and was looking to restore the silver metallic finish on the shifter surround bezel. Are there any paint products that closely match this color. If not, what have you done to refresh it?

I'm also open to some of the 3M DI-noc cf wrap, but I'm unsure of the difficulty in applying/cutting the product.

I'd appreciate any tips, or experience you have regarding this.

 

Come on!! Has nobody done this before?

 

Here's a good trick, remove the bezel and hit it with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol.

There is a shiny black/gunmetal chrome base coat underneath that looks better than a chipped and dull finish. I can't be any help as far as the color code to repaint it though.

 

Hummmmm, is the painted surface similar to the AP2 sliver trim around the roof/hazard button? If so the alcohol method to remove the clearcoat might be a way to refinish mine that's scratched up. I could probably strip the clear, and then re-clear the part with semi-gloss clear. Probably should do both that piece with the cover piece together so it looks the same.

 

I cleaned up the trim on a AP1 by using fine sandpaper to get the chipping clear film off (wet sand), then I used metal polish to buff it to a nice chrome shine.

 

Thanks for the responses guys! I think I will try using steel wool/sand paper. Maybe then I will spray it with some clear. I let you know how it works out. Thanks.

 

Steel wool sounds a little too abrasive for the finish. I think I went with a 1000 grit paper. It took a little while, but the finish was smooth. Take your time on it, or you may have to strip off the whole thing and repaint if you damage the metallic finish.

 

3m di-noc wrapping is really easy, i wrapped my laptop and phone with that stuff, even my gas door

 

The usually fix for this is the rubbing alcohol, being in medicine I just used prep swabs

 

if you want to see what the it will look like at the end (before doing it to your S), let me know. Calxtreme did it to my AP1 and it looks awesome!