AeroBFA's Autumn Copper FX45 :: 2007 Infiniti FX45

Overview Discussion
So since my wrap didn't go over very well, are you saying I can just "rebrush" the scratched aluminum trim? What process did you use?
 
Very nice job guys. Glad you were finally able to get it all figured out. There's a lot to be said for symmetry. :)
 
Viperi said:
huh your center console is so different then mine! looks amazing!. i dont got those wooden pieces. mines one piece.
Click to expand...

The wood pieces are 45 specific. I really like the contrast from the wood :smile (2):

la_fx35 said:
Agree, the hazard switch should be in the center and the driver seat warmer switch should have been on the outside edge near the driver seat. I know Andrew have been wanting to get it done the very first day he got his ride :smile (2):

Look much better now!
Click to expand...

haha ya, that was like of the first things I wanted to do and talked to you about.

sir21 said:
So since my wrap didn't go over very well, are you saying I can just "rebrush" the scratched aluminum trim? What process did you use?
Click to expand...

Yes, just use steel wool and brush it in the same direction. Just keep rubbing it until most of the scratches are blended in with the brushing. I used more pressure in the areas that had more nicks and small dents. I did not have any major dents, fortunately. I was scared at first to try it, but then after doing it, it was really easy and a great way to refinish the console. You should definitely try it. I will be doing the door grab handles later too.
 
AeroBFA said:
The wood pieces are 45 specific. I really like the contrast from the wood :smile (2):



haha ya, that was like of the first things I wanted to do and talked to you about.



Yes, just use steel wool and brush it in the same direction. Just keep rubbing it until most of the scratches are blended in with the brushing. I used more pressure in the areas that had more nicks and small dents. I did not have any major dents, fortunately. I was scared at first to try it, but then after doing it, it was really easy and a great way to refinish the console. You should definitely try it. I will be doing the door grab handles later too.
Click to expand...

does it hold the same pattern or does it look alot different? does it look alot lighter now compared to the door handles and other trim?
 
mbarb15 said:
does it hold the same pattern or does it look alot different? does it look alot lighter now compared to the door handles and other trim?
Click to expand...

It is much brighter than before as you can see in the pics. There was some lacquered protectant or something on the console before I touched it. I am going to do my door handles next so it matches better. Then trim on the steering wheel involves removing the steering to gain access. Something I'm going to pass for now. The brushing pattern is more noticeable after brushing. You will see more of the pattern or "grain" from brushing in the direction you go, so try to keep the brushing in the same direction as much as possible. The after effect looks really good, gives it a more natural and organic look instead of the OEM finish. I just used fine steel wool pads only, nothing else to brush it.
 
You can try clear coating it, but I don't think it will look similar to stock. Andrew suggested clear coating too, to protect it from fingerprints, oil, etc. But I don't really want to. I think it will change the finish, at least on my console. The best way for me to describe it is if you have a really nice stainless steel appliance in your kitchen its bound to get a lot of fingerprints, oil, etc. on it. Would you want to clear coat that? I think the clear coat will really cover up the texture and grains from the brushing. So it's going to be metal polish for me.
 
If you leave it uncoated, the finish will probably change over time anyway, as the aluminum will actually oxidize over time and lose that brilliance that you see when you sanded it down in the first place. Most stainless appliance actually do have a protectant or clear coat of some kind applied just for ease of cleaning and to keep the surface looking new. You could always go with a non-gloss clear coat so that it keeps much of its same look.
 
Good information Justin, thanks for sharing. I can probably prevent some of the oxidation on the raw aluminum by using metal polish/cleaner I'm sure. The main reason I'm avoiding clear coating it is, it will cover up the texture. Maybe I'll ask an appliance expert what to do about coating metal, lol.
 
...and then at the end of your conversation point out that the info you needed was actually for a car console not your fridge lol
 
Another Handy Andy exclusive again tonight. Tonight we rewired the shift pattern and reversed the indicators for the manu-mode. I have been using manu-mode much more recently and reversing the shift logic really makes a more natural, logical shift. This definitely makes driving even more fun now. Thanks again to Andrew for another minor detail that was improved upon!

Here is the thread that started it all. I can do a DIY about it later: https://www.infinitiscene.com/search/1/?q=15405-Mine-s-Racing-Harness-(Reverse-swap-shifter-pattern)


Console before the modification:
View attachment 241680

Disassembling the shifter console:
View attachment 241684

Here is the shift indicator removed from the console:
View attachment 241686

Just use an X-Acto knife to cut through the plastic indicator to cut the (+) and (-) out:
View attachment 241688

After cutting them out, we glued each piece down with some glue, reinserted the indicator and reassembled the console:
View attachment 241689

Here is a shot in the dark:
View attachment 241691
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top