Vent Discoloration/Fading

[asegier]

I just bought a 128i and I didn't notice before that the vents were white-ish. Now it's driving me crazy after I noticed it (I was too focused on the engine, potential engine issues, and the feel of the car to notice).

I'll give it a try this weekend and see if it works for me!

[Sliver_Legend]

it's sort of working but am going to try a product by 3m called DMX210 black. it's a paint dye. do not get it on your hands lol. I'll post if it works.

[Sliver_Legend]

so I decide fed to take the thing apart, sand the louvers and spray with with trim black.

[Sliver_Legend]

the after

[Sliver_Legend]

they weren't that bad, but it wasn't hard[IMG]undefined[/IMG] to do.

[boyerstyle]

Originally Posted by Sliver_Legend

it's sort of working but am going to try a product by 3m called DMX210 black. it's a paint dye. do not get it on your hands lol. I'll post if it works.

Looks great! Nice job! Almost looks like it leaves a little texture behind? But could totally just be the image loading funky on my phone. Either way looks awesome

[Sliver_Legend]

Originally Posted by boyerstyle

Looks great! Nice job! Almost looks like it leaves a little texture behind? But could totally just be the image loading funky on my phone. Either way looks awesome

the DMX dye left a purple sort of hue so I went with just a trim black spray paint. the shear amount of gunk that sanded off of them blew my mind. I will have to hit them again as the paint dried a little light but it's the way to go for sure. beats $150 for new ones

[Jrman]

Was it difficult to remove the vents?

Also, what type, grit, sandpaper did you use? Finally what spray paint?

I was think a Fusion by Krylon because it works on plastics.

[ElMickey]

Going to try Mothers Back to Black!

[nebrilon]

Back to Black is a good product but won't last long.

[dtla1]

I started noticing this discoloration/fading kind of recently, and I wonder if it's related to my use of a DIY recharge kit of my AC system?

Anyways, cleaned (with 303) and wiped on some 303 aerospace protector and it looks much better.

[tracer bullet]

I kind of doubt it's that, it's just a thing for our cars. I have it and only have like 30k miles on the car, and it's rarely parked in the sun all day - and if it is there's a shade in the front windshield.

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

I kind of doubt it's that, it's just a thing for our cars. I have it and only have like 30k miles on the car, and it's rarely parked in the sun all day - and if it is there's a shade in the front windshield.

I was up to about 90K miles with no discoloration on mine. No other external factors changed other than that recharge that stands out.

[tracer bullet]

Interesting. I still think it's just a thing, but I do get the idea that you noticed it right after changing something else. Usually means a correlation.

[bignickmetro]

The dye used for vinyl cloth tops worked pretty well for me. "Forever black" applied with a qtip