Piano black full facia on 4.3L, is it possible ?

[Jedi4727]

Hi,

Has anyone been able to fit the full facia piano black in a 4.3L V8V ?
Not just the part arounf the satnav, but also the part regarding the infotainment section ?
Do not if Aston Martin allows for such an "upgrade" or if there is a trick around that, for instance to "to paint" the afferent parts in a piano black look.....

Thanks for your advice !

[Slarti]

try here for starters...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[yeti]

I have matched the upper and lower panels together but there's nothing you can do to that middle panel - its plastic and has the cut-outs for the backlighting of instruments.

Have given it a lot of thought, nothing would look great

[stevewushu]

How difficult/expensive is it to replace with the facelift stereo unit/controls? This way you can go all black...

[MichaelV8V]

yeti said:

I have matched the upper and lower panels together but there's nothing you can do to that middle panel - its plastic and has the cut-outs for the backlighting of instruments.

Have given it a lot of thought, nothing would look great

Remember the words of Peter Wheeler, someone intelligent enough to buy a TVR is intelligent enough to remember what all the controls do.

You had a TVR, so you're clearly intelligent, and with that in mind, how much of the central panel do you really need to backlight?

[KarlFranz]

MichaelV8V said:

Remember the words of Peter Wheeler, someone intelligent enough to buy a TVR is intelligent enough to remember what all the controls do.

You had a TVR, so you're clearly intelligent, and with that in mind, how much of the central panel do you really need to backlight?

I don't think it would look good at night if the whole panel was pitch black, regardless of whether you know where the controls are located or not.

[Jedi4727]

Thanks gentlemen
Looks like it is a dead end.
Really too bad, as I think this facia really brings additional class to the interior of the car.
Anyways, I'll keep looking for solution, and if I come across something worthwhile, will indeed share it on the forum

[yeti]

KarlFranz said:

I don't think it would look good at night if the whole panel was pitch black, regardless of whether you know where the controls are located or not.

Indeed. The bluish hue of the controls and fascia at night gives me a huge sense of pleasure. A special place to be. As the Aston is fated to become my high-miles tourer, driving at night will be something that happens a lot

Jedi - share anything you find, thanks!

[MichaelV8V]

KarlFranz said:

I don't think it would look good at night if the whole panel was pitch black, regardless of whether you know where the controls are located or not.

OK, I didn't know what the illumination does, mine is the later dash. It does sound like the options are limited

[yourtheguy]

I've thought about this, the control panal part is painted clear plastic with the cut outs for the lighting laser etched out.
There are firms out there that do special laser jobs for one off projects, maybe they could scan the panel, you paint it then they etch the cut outs for you.
Nice to know if someone is in this type of industry or knows about this stuff, i live in the arse end of wales and lasers have'nt been invented yet.