Whelan

I like the DIY I saw on painting that center dash piece of trim around the HVAC controls and stereo. These are the pieces I want to paint.

-stereo trim
-plates around the door handles.
-trim around the side vents.
-two small separate flat pieces that run along the center console on the edge.

Now I know to get off the door handles you pop off that back piece take the two screws out and pop it from front to back. But how do you get the others off. I am assuming it is all pop clips so you just pry gently and they will come off. Am I correct or is there some other steps.

fine02civicgurl

when i replaced my cd player, that big piece had to come off, and the DIY said to use a butter knife wrapped in electric tape, or duct tape, something thick... and stick it underneath a piece and slowly pry it off. im sure there are other ways, but thats the one i know of

7thGenerasianCivic

iTrader: (13)

NEVER PRY!
FOr the center piece (radio) take off the cig lighter trim part and unscrew the two screws you see inside on top. Then push the metal piece upward and pull the trim for the outside.

Every trim is held together by clips.

Vents you just yank them out.

Whelan

so where my 12V outlet is? I dont have a cig lighter. But down low there pop that off, then take the screws and slide it up and out?

7thGenerasianCivic

iTrader: (13)

correct...itll take time tho but better than focking up your vyhnl.

jwalker87

iTrader: (3)

when you take the 12V outlet piece off, behined that should be a metal bracket with two 10mm bolts going up. Unscrew those. Then feel along that bracket towards the front of the car. That metal bracket ends, but theres about 1/4 inch of metal beyone it. Get your fingers behined that piece and PULL towards the back of the car. NOT UP, PULLING UP DOESNT WORK!

I would also recommend doing the trim around the auto window controls (if you have them). For these, there is a screw in the pocket behined them. Unscrew this and it just slides foward and out. The really hard thing is getting the door handles out of their trim pieces, with the spring and all. Be sure to use a clearcoat!

Whelan

On my 02 EX there is already a silver around the window controls as well as the trim edge around the shifter.

According the the DIY for painting your piece around the head unit, the paint method of white primering and the Honda silver spray is supposed to match perfectly. If it doesnt then I will just go over the silver already there.

jwalker87

iTrader: (3)

ok; didnt know you were painting it silver. I did all mine the color of my exterior. Red on black interior, looks very nice. Just be sure to let them dry fully before putting on a clearcoat, and then let them dry about a week before installing them again; takes a few months for the paint to actually fully cure.

Whelan

yeah i did this in my old Saturn and it came out good, but I didnt use clearcoat, just about 5-6 coats of dupli color and let it sit.