Gear surround

[9153mark]

Hi guys, hope someone has an answer...
I have a 14 v8v
It has the black pack internally which replaces all the chrome around the fittings (air vents, tray lid etc).
However, the surround for the gear lever remains chrome, which really stands out!
Apart from the AM carbon replacement (at £649) is there another option to go dark (black oem on any other models or a rep part not at £650!)
???
Cheers
Mark

[divetheworld]

I can shave a couple of hundred off that!

[9153mark]

I havent spoken to my AM contact, who over the years has always looked after me...
Due in for service start of March so thought id hunt about a bit first

[V8Andrew]

You could remove the existing one and hydrodip or paint for less than that I'm guessing

[9153mark]

Yeah thought of that too
Bit of a pain tho if another way is simpler

[Big Ry]

I'd just remove it myself and get it anodised. I'm sure if you contact AM they will confirm what the RAL colour (or whatever it is) that the rest of the parts have been done in. It'll match and be hard-wearing too.

Just had a quick Google and there appears to be plenty of places in the UK that offer this.

Edited by Big Ry on Thursday 2nd February 10:45

[AdamV12V]

Don't forget the handbrake handle matches the gear surround, so if you really are bothered about coordinating trim then you should annodise / paint that too!

[C997]

You can also have the "black anodised machined rotaries" option from Q as well if you want your knobs done.

[Big Ry]

AdamV12V said:

Don't forget the handbrake handle matches the gear surround, so if you really are bothered about coordinating trim then you should annodise / paint that too!

Also the seatbelt guides by your shoulder.........

This is going to get messy

[9153mark]

Yeah the anodised knobs caught my eye... Haha

The other chromed parts dont catch my eye like the surround tbh

But Cheers guys
Mega informative as always

[DB9VolanteDriver]

Big Ry said:

I'd just remove it myself and get it anodised. I'm sure if you contact AM they will confirm what the RAL colour (or whatever it is) that the rest of the parts have been done in. It'll match and be hard-wearing too.

Just had a quick Google and there appears to be plenty of places in the UK that offer this.

Edited by Big Ry on Thursday 2nd February 10:45

I don't think you can anodize a part that is already chromed, you need to start with the base aluminum part.

[Big Ry]

DB9VolanteDriver said:

I don't think you can anodise a part that is already chromed, you need to start with the base aluminium part.

I didn't know that.

Are those parts chromed or just polished aluminium ?

[blade runner]

99% sure they are just polished aluminium, so anodising should be no problem.

[telum01]

It's milled and polished aluminum. I have a video on YouTube showing how to swap the pieces, and show the underside of the polished aluminum one so you can see what it looks like if you want to check that out. 650 GBP is a lot of money for the carbon one.... You sure that wasn't for two of them?

[9153mark]

Bit the bullet and spoke to AM
£420 inc vat fitted
Not as bad but still a lot for a slither of carbon

[divetheworld]

http://www.astonmartinparts.net/Details/Item/1372/...

£340 inc VAT and 20 mins to fit yourself.
I told you it should be cheaper.

[9153mark]

Top man
Cheers

[9153mark]

Price hiked to £380+ on there now
Bad timing!

[Big Ry]

9153mark said:

Price hiked to £380+ on there now
Bad timing!

Get on the phone and see if they'll honour the price from a few days ago.......nothing to loose in trying.

[DAVIDOXE]

Chrome plating Aluminium is possible but an expensive 15 stage process.
the likelyhood is that the parts are polished then clear anodised.
If you wish to change the colour the parts will have to be stripped and re anodised.