Flaking Chrome Air Vents

kimgoblin

New Member
Messages
15
I need to do the same to the heater controls and several buttons on the dash of my 3200 which have become horribly sticky.Would it work to apply the isopropyl directly to the dials as getting the heater out of the dash is going to be a nightmare I suspect. Also does any one know where I can get the isopropyl from? Thanks Kim
 

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
I get the stuff on ebay but be warned it will very likely strip the markings off the controls but not the base layer of paint

They use wet wipes in the US to reduce the sticky on controls you want to retain the marings on
 

wink

Junior Member
Messages
85
Maplin sell isopropyl alcohol - it's commonly available as electrical switch cleaner. Can anyone confirm that it doesn't affect the white paint on the buttons?
 

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,554
Maplin sell isopropyl alcohol - it's commonly available as electrical switch cleaner. Can anyone confirm that it doesn't affect the white paint on the buttons?

Wrong way round, chap. Part of the problem is the buttons are *white*.......

If you want it done properly, I'd really say send them to Lorenzo.


C
 

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
Sorry if I wasn't being clear enough...

Yes it will remove the white paint on the buttons... only use it on the vents
 

spyderbags

Junior Member
Messages
40
You won't get the middle ones out that easily.
That's how they look like from the inside:
http://www.kfzteile-gebraucht.de/media/image/57bda4dbee1ee.jpgView attachment 46224

I have finally removed the 8 attachment screws for the centre vents, it was rather tortuous and I have lost 3 phillips screwdriver bits down the centre console! Can't even fish them out with my telescopic magnet. Anyway, the point is the vents are so tightly wedged into the dash I can't push the b*ggers out. My concern is if I persevere and get them out, will I ever get them back in without pushing the foam and leather out of the cutouts. Has anybody successfully done this?
 

spyderbags

Junior Member
Messages
40
Right, I did persevere and they won't budge, even working my way around with a hammer! Any harder and the back inner flange is just going to break off, so I think I would have to destroy them to remove them. Not a good idea as I would never be able to push some new ones in from behind, if as tight. So, they're staying flakey unless anyone has any bright ideas.
 

spyderbags

Junior Member
Messages
40
hmm, looks like there's enough room to push out and drop out through the removed display screen aperture.
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,749
Just done the outer and rear vents. I was going to buy new, but pleased with the results and the £150 saving.

I used the same pen but found that the felt tip made clear (black) lines when applying.

I managed to find an eye-brow brush (thank you Charlie!) And after shaking the chrome pen to mix the pain properly, I cut open the top and dipped the brush into the paint like an eyebrow brush (all her idea btw).

This worked a treat and it went on smooth with just one application.