I've been looking at dash kits, now that they are out. Biggest thing that bugs me about the interior is tooooo much black. So, I went and bought some interior Auto trim pain. I bought 5 colors, and trial and errored until I found one that is 95% right. I have the paint number if anyone is interested.

This is with 2 coats of color and 3 coats of clear satin.

To me., made 100% difference. And it looks factory. I'm all about any mod looking like it could have come from the factory like that. And it you'd never seen the interior of the G8 before, I guarentee you'd think it came this way.

I am considering the upper dash trim now, but I'll buy another console in case I want to keep it black.

Especially the 2nd picture, it gives the silver in the interior balance. And trust me, it makes a difference when you are sitting in it.

My number 1 mod so far, by FAR....

Feedback welcome as always.

http://rides.webshots.com/album/563812448pAFOyx


Dave

Took me a second to realize what you painted but I think it came out great. I personally would like some type of color coded guages to go along with my IOM.

You did some nice work, it does look factory in the pics.

-brian

Tiger...that looks really good! What upper dash trim are you talking about? The one at the bottom of the windshield? That would add glare. Keep us posted...great work! :)

Looks good. Did you remove it, or just paint very carefully?

Excellent job. I prefer the black, but you did a great job.

I removed it, took out the window switches and heated seats switches. Didn't take a hour.

The top part I'm talking about is the center that goes all the way up and includes the center dash speaker and the Atari gauges. It would only be the sides mainly, the radio/climate would still be black, but it would break it up. Not too worried about glare. I'll be buying a 2nd center piece so I can go back black if I want. Althought the more I look at it, it seems maybe to be just right now. Not sure, but I'm sure I'm gonna play some.

Deciding now between Mahogany and African Zebra wood kit. I'm a big fan of wood interior kits, althought I only use a VERY FEW pieces. Once again, trying to look factory.

Can you give us a web address for the wood interior kits? Do they have pictures etc.?

Thanks,

RRM

Deciding now between Mahogany and African Zebra wood kit. I'm a big fan of wood interior kits, althought I only use a VERY FEW pieces. Once again, trying to look factory.

NOOO Stop whilst your ahead! :wink2:


:)

I agree, it is way to much black. Can you put up the paint code and brand of paint and clear. Also, was it shot, or sprayed? Looks great by the way! :slap:

I agree, it is way to much black. Can you put up the paint code and brand of paint and clear. Also, was it shot, or sprayed? Looks great by the way! :slap:

I'll post info when I get home this evening.

Can you give us a web address for the wood interior kits? Do they have pictures etc.?

Thanks,

RRM

http://www.wooddashexperts.com/customer/home.php?cat=994

I have bought from several vendors in the past, they are all showing the same exact kit. I think it's a Sherwood. If you ever use wood, I highly recomend real wood, you pay about 25% more. I also am looking at the silver carbon fiber.

Dave

Looks like a nice paint job on the interior pieces.....I have never painted anything that came out that good.
CUrious about your modded floor mats ...there kinda wild lol...where they door mats or something?

:)Looks like a nice paint job on the interior pieces.....I have never painted anything that came out that good.
CUrious about your modded floor mats ...there kinda wild lol...where they door mats or something?

Nah, they are house rugs. :) They matcha a little (my wife's idea) and I just shake them out everyday when I get home.

I call it the "wife mod" . I've always used house rugs in the back to help with the kids' messes.

When I want it looking clean, I just throw them in the trunk.

Excellent job and it looks great.

Thanks Dave,

Are they hard to install? Realize they just stick on, but wondered about some of the curves on the G8 dash. Have you ever used a lighter wood color like the platinum burl? Was thinking that with a Black interior, the contrast would be nice, especially in our White car. Friends had a Toyota Avalon with the Birdseye Maple wood (or wood look) and it was quite attractive.

RRM

Very Nice! Gets me thinkin.... There's some stuff out there that you use on appliances to give them a stainless steel look. Or maybe chrome?? Or Hot White???

Very Nice! Gets me thinkin.... There's some stuff out there that you use on appliances to give them a stainless steel look. Or maybe chrome?? Or Hot White???

Here you go...http://alsacorp.com/products.htm.Chrome, aluminum, etc....And they make it in cans too....

I forsee many people purchasing this...

Thanks Dave,

Are they hard to install? Realize they just stick on, but wondered about some of the curves on the G8 dash. Have you ever used a lighter wood color like the platinum burl? Was thinking that with a Black interior, the contrast would be nice, especially in our White car. Friends had a Toyota Avalon with the Birdseye Maple wood (or wood look) and it was quite attractive.

RRM

I've installed around 20 kits, the key is:

1. Clean the car trim with alchohol. (The kits inclued alcohol pads, get you a bottle. And the alcohol will discolor black trim a hair.

2. Warm up the dash kit (hair dryer, hot sun) If you get it right, it's nice and flexible (rubbery) That's how you make the curves.
3.Practice fit
4. Install (sometimes I take the dash piece off, depends if there is another pice of dash kit meeting it. Sometimes you have to fudge 1/8" to make the next piece look right.
5. DO NOT USE TOO MANY PIECES....
(Some kits come with 30-50 pieces, and I've seen people put every one on, and it looks like crap. To me, less is more.

Just take your time, once that stuff touches the trim, you're pretty much done. You might get lucky and move a piece, if you are really quick and the piece is small, but get it right the first time.

I've found the G8 kits on 6 or 7 sites, and they are all the same kit.

I'm thinking dark wood with the black interior and the silver trim.

Have fun.

You did a great job. I put on the real brushed aluminum and bent the center console piece. I'm waiting for the replacement and then I'll post my pics

I've been looking at dash kits, now that they are out. Biggest thing that bugs me about the interior is tooooo much black. So, I went and bought some interior Auto trim pain. I bought 5 colors, and trial and errored until I found one that is 95% right. I have the paint number if anyone is interested.

This is with 2 coats of color and 3 coats of clear satin.

To me., made 100% difference. And it looks factory. I'm all about any mod looking like it could have come from the factory like that. And it you'd never seen the interior of the G8 before, I guarentee you'd think it came this way.

I am considering the upper dash trim now, but I'll buy another console in case I want to keep it black.

Especially the 2nd picture, it gives the silver in the interior balance. And trust me, it makes a difference when you are sitting in it.

My number 1 mod so far, by FAR....

Feedback welcome as always.

http://rides.webshots.com/album/563812448pAFOyx


Dave

Took me a second to realize what you painted but I think it came out great. I personally would like some type of color coded guages to go along with my IOM.

You did some nice work, it does look factory in the pics.

-brian

Like he said, I couldn't tell what you painted for a few seconds there. I think it should have been silver like that from the factory. It looks SOOOO much better, and like you said, it sorta breaks up the color and gives some contrast to the inside. Very nice job.
I think I am going to paint my dash trim flat black (the silver strip under guages and above the glovebox) because when the sun hits it at noon or so, it glares and reflects into the clear guage cover so much that I can hardly see any of the guages!

Nice Work!

So, I went and bought some interior Auto trim pain. I bought 5 colors, and trial and errored until I found one that is 95% right. I have the paint number if anyone is interested.



Was there a black paint color that matches the black on the dash? Where did you get those 'auto trim' paints that you mention. I am asking because I am thinking about painting the silver trim strips black because the one behind the steering wheel glares onto the guages during midday sunlight. I like the silver trim, but being able to see the guages and speedometer are more important to me, so if I can paint those with little expense, that would be nice. there is a kit from GM with these trim pieces, but it is 200$ plus shipping, which is really expensive for 3 plastic trim pieces.