firephoenix

Does anyone know how to remove these? I'm thinking of replacing mine - they are scratched up big time. Looks like I might have to remove the whole console.
Any ideas?

Palkalocka

I don't really know how to replace them but I had the dealer replace one under warranty on the rear passenger side and when I got the car back there was a huge gap between the trim piece and the console. Apparently it must be difficult or time consuming and they were trying to shortcut. I was so fed up with them at that point though I didnt want to take it back to them so I just kinda bent it in place and ended up cracking one of the little clips to get it on there. Fits right now though and hopefully ill never have to mess with it again.

swoope

iTrader: (5)

the silver trim is paint.... it cannot be replaced... the whole section is one piece..

beers

firephoenix

Are you sure? mazda offers a carbon fiber console kit, and they look like individual pieces that you would just swap out.

N rider89

oh those. i have the cf replacement in mine. you have to remove the console first than those just screw off of the console. wouldnt be a bad idea to take them off then go to a paint place and get them painted. maybe a piano black?

swoope

iTrader: (5)

i am sure it goes on top. or it is another console...

i have mine out, a lot. so yes i am sure...

beers

captain mercury

my silver strip is losing some paint where my arm apparently rests on it

seems ridiculous that the strips and console would be inseparable

mysql101

yeah, mazda sells a carbon fiber kit that replaces the silver trim around the center area. Not sure how much it replaces, but the kit is around $300.

N rider89

somebody take it off and try painting it piano black

nbthing

I have long been hoping someone would make an aftermarket strip for this out of actual brushed aluminum metal... wouldn't scratch nearly as easily as the metal look plastic. Supposedly Mazda wanted the part to be metal, but shied away because the temperature of a metal part could get too high.

musclecarconvrt

Swoops right.
Get some silver paint and fix your scratches by pressing the little button on top of the can. I've used silver paint to refurbish the gauges on my old Cougar Works wonders. Prep / clean well and very gently sand and deep scratches. Just keep the spray light to stay away from runs and let it dry between coats.
Way less money that paying Mazda for a whole new console.

firephoenix

so they are separate pieces then? That's what I was thinking, but one member seems to think is all part of one big console. Was it hard to do? Any tips you can give. I was actually thinking about getting it painted copper red from a body shop and then clear coated. I have a whitewater pearl... It'd be different!

firephoenix

So N Rider and Mysql101 are both wrong then? Ok , something gives.. .we need so definitive proof here

firephoenix

Hey, this is available from Mazda. Can you please explain. This photo I'm attaching is why I thought it was separate.


http://www.buymazdaparts.com/images/parts/574.jpg

Palkalocka

I think swoop might be refering to something else. What you are talking about with the carbon fiber replacement kit definitely comes off. Ive seen the piece detached from my console with my own two eyes.

Palkalocka

^ at least the trim by the rear seats, never had the front off.

musclecarconvrt

The trim around the shifter comes up easily. I took mine off to hard wire a line for my iPod just a few weeks ago. Pop the access panel (about 1 and a half inches square) in the front cup holder area near the top. Use the hole as a place to gently pull up on and the whole thing comes up from the cup holder to the ash tray. Oh, you need to take the shifter **** off too.

swoope

iTrader: (5)

all i can tell you is that i have had the all that and the back out... i does not seem to seperate...

i think the cf parts go over the silver...

why dont you pull yours apart??? it does not take long at all.. then you will know..

beers

N rider89

https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...7&postcount=15

dynamho

I've read somewhere on this forum that the silver console strips are two sets, front and rear. One of them is a pair of strips while the other is a horseshoe shaped piece. I believe the thread even has photos. Try a search.

TomAssBender

Yes, in the picture you posted, that crazy thing in the center is the front "half" of the center console strips. You can see where the two meet pretty blatantly right around where your seat back should be.

Like swoop says, you take off your center console, lay that thing down, and then pile the console on top of it. In the end, just the two side "strips" are showing. Not sure about the back strips though. Those look popable.

Let me know how this goes. I really want mine piano black (like the shinka) but dont want to f them up trying to paint them.

Anyone know how to get that piano black finish?

musclecarconvrt

Best of luck on the piano black. I think that's just plain plastic, not paint.

snizzle

Piano black? And you think silver scratches easily.

Mine are scraped up too and I can't figure out how they get that way.

N rider89

all three parts are screwed onto the console. i swaped mine out its easy once you remove the console

camaro194

What about putting some kind of product to protect them when new? Similar to a 3M clear bra for your bumper. Maybe a similar type of product to apply to the trim piece??