DB11 / DBS SL - repainting or removing roof strakes

[AndM]

Hi, I've had a DB11 for a year and am loving it. Having come from a 992 Carrera S I much prefer the Aston. Impressed indeed to the point where I am very tempted to move to its big brother the DBS Superleggera and have been looking at those for sale. My current steed has what about 80% of cars seem to have - black roof and black roof strakes.

Looks great with my red car. But if I change to a DBS I'd like to go to one of the greys or silvers. Those colours look vastly better to my eye with body coloured roof strakes. Roof itself too though that is less relevant as the strakes really establish the profile and shape of the car. Most of the cars for sale have black strakes. Wrapping would be a wonderful solution but I don't believe any wrap would match the paints. So it would likely have to be a spray.

Has anyone done this? If so, how did it work out? And did it involve removing the strakes to paint them? How hard is that?

[SergiyZ]

Good afternoon. I changed the color of the roof on my DB11 to black. I simply painted it with black gloss paint. Moreover, I painted not only the roof, but also the plastic parts on the pillars, air vents, and mirrors. They were black unpainted plastic, but I had to paint them because they had faded and turned a dirty purple color. The rear window moldings were also broken, and in addition to painting, they also had to be soldered. The difficulty in painting the large molding on the stock car is that a thin decorative rubber strip is attached to it with tape. The roof is plastic, but non-removable; the car will have to be driven into a tube. To make it really good, it is better to remove the windshield. It is a lot of work. I would try to cover it with colored film. It’s probably easier that way.

[SergiyZ]

[SergiyZ]

[SergiyZ]

[AndM]

Thanks Sergiy, car looks great. Car really suits the blue.

My DB11's gloss roof and strakes have not discoloured at all but I have noticed the plastic mirrors and between the strake and bodywork is going purple too but as I may be going to a DBS I'll leave them be.

Do you happen to know if the strakes can be removed for painting on their own? Im sure they can but I would think it is a bit an operation involving interior roof headlining etc.

[SergiyZ]

I called a mechanic. These large trim panels can be removed. There's a rubber seal underneath this panel that can be pulled back, and there are screws there. There are a few above the rear quarter window and a couple on the A-pillar. The screws are under the seal. If you unscrew them, this panel will come off along the guides. But this panel has a rubber seal running the entire length, which will need to be peeled off for painting.

[SergiyZ]

If you need i will make photo

[AndM]

Thanks! Do you know is that a big job?

If anyone has a workshop guide to removal that they could share it would be greatly appreciated.

[SergiyZ]

It's relatively easy, but you do need to have certain skills. I don't have a manual, but when you decide to do it, write to me and I'll take a photo of these screws.

[SergiyZ]

https://youtu.be/CgrYV26OjUk?si=pMxObjGfknA3tfNt

[AndM]

That's brilliant, does look simple enough though its a pity the video ends mid way through. From the one he has removed already it looks like they just pull off outwards sideways once the bolts are removed.

Edited by AndM on Friday 21st November 13:31

[SergiyZ]

AndM said:

That's brilliant, does look simple enough though its a pity the video ends mid way through. From the one he has removed already it looks like they just pull off outwards sideways once the bolts are removed.

Edited by AndM on Friday 21st November 13:31

Yes,i think is easy after bolts removed