Swapping out Aluminum Dashboard Trim

windcr8zy · Aug 9, 2017

I just purchased a used 2015 SE GSW with beige interior, and I can't stand the fake brushed aluminum trim. Has anyone swapped out the trim on the dashboard and center console with grey trim from the Alltrack or the Piano Black from a junkyard SEL? Ideally I'd find something matte black, but that doesn't seem to exist. Any help or tips would be appreciated. I pick up this car Friday to replace my 2010 JSW.

BobbyWires · Aug 9, 2017

Pop it out and paint it

windcr8zy · Aug 9, 2017

That's really not a bad idea. I slightly worry about durability with paint, but I'm sure I could find something that works. Do you know how hard the trim on the instrument panel is to remove? Everything else looks easy.

surfstar · Aug 9, 2017

Give it a few weeks to make sure it still annoys you.
I remember another poster (maybe on VWvortex) who swore he would do the same, then quickly grew to not-mind, then even like the silver trim.

Barring that, I wonder how plasti-dip would do? Could give a matte black finish, decent durability, and easy to peel off if needed.

giuseppe_b · Aug 9, 2017

I thought I would not like it on my SE, with the beige. In pictures it always looked too shiny or bright. However when I saw it in person, it looks much better. It grew on me pretty quickly and I like it now.

You might consider plasti-dip over paint, for better durability and no peeling/scratching.

1854sailor · Aug 9, 2017

When we picked out the '15 Golf Wagon last week one of the other choices at the dealership had the shiny black trim and I really didn't like it. Went with the brushed aluminum. De gustibus non disputatum est.

1854sailor · Aug 9, 2017

A local TDI Club member had all of the wood pattern trim in his Passat hydro coated in a dark carbon fiber look that was pretty cool.

Bob S. · Aug 9, 2017

1854sailor said:
A local TDI Club member had all of the wood pattern trim in his Passat hydro coated in a dark carbon fiber look that was pretty cool.

It would be interesting to see the photos (or in person) and to learn the cost of the process.

windcr8zy · Aug 9, 2017

I appreciate your advice. Bad news is, VW called today to tell me they don't have the title to the car I purchased, and won't have it for 7 to 14 days. So now I'm looking for a different car, as I have to drive back to the west coast.

Bob S. · Aug 9, 2017

Contact 1854 Sailor to see if the other (new) stop sale GSw he looked at is still available.

1854sailor · Aug 9, 2017

Bob S. said:
Contact 1854 Sailor to see if the other (new) stop sale GSw he looked at is still available.

They were not "new", Bob. High teen, low 20K mile turn-ins with the stage 1 fix. Ours has 23K miles on it.

Bob S. · Aug 9, 2017

Sorry for the error. Dave told me you acquired a stop sale car.

1854sailor · Aug 9, 2017

Bob S. said:
Sorry for the error. Dave told me you acquired a stop sale car.

No, it was a buy-back. Love it, though. I swapped the wheels today and I really like the look. Check out the pic in the Golf picture forum.

1854sailor · Aug 9, 2017

Bob S. said:
It would be interesting to see the photos (or in person) and to learn the cost of the process.

I don't remember the guy's TDI Club name, but he was at several local GTGs. I'll check with Lawson as I think that he was a VA person.

TwistedElvis · Aug 9, 2017

Wrap it in vinyl?
Its easy to work with

windcr8zy · Aug 9, 2017

Thanks guys. I've found two other potential cars. Hoping to get that locked down tomorrow after spending the afternoon calling dealerships around the country.

740GLE · Aug 10, 2017

I'm more impressed a dealer had a car on the lot that they didn't have the title for it. Smells fishy.

I'm almost thinking they didn't want to sell it to you or had already sold it to someone else for more coin.

1854sailor · Aug 10, 2017

Bob S. said:
It would be interesting to see the photos (or in person) and to learn the cost of the process.

I checked with Lawson it was Mike (Coffeemade) but from his posts, it looks like he turned the car in. I checked his username and it looks like he hasn't posted to the forums in over a year.

MIVWTDI · Aug 11, 2017

I also have the brushed aluminum dash and hated it when I purchased the car. I looked around and found several dash kits with many different finishes, that looked good.

After a couple of days I got use to it and forgot about it.

TDIBone · Sep 11, 2017

I found this thread because I have the exact opposite problem. I find the black interior in the SEL (highline) is too much. The entire interior is black and I was hoping to change the plastic panels. Was looking for anyone who might have changed the panels and how it looked. Might be open to a swap, but probably shipping cross-border would make it too expensive.

Since the HVAC controls are different between the different trim levels, does anyone know if there are different part #s, or do they use punch outs to accommodate the extra buttons on the models with automatic HVAC?

Swapping out Aluminum Dashboard Trim

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