It's official - Piano black has to go...

7841 Views 24 Replies 7 Participants Last post by GaganKeshav, Aug 28, 2021

zarbs

Discussion Starter · Aug 1, 2019

3

I've read some comments here about the piano black cabin styling and I was ambivalent at the time but I now agree whole-heartedly with the sentiment. I am over the way it show up the smallest of finger marks and fine scratches. My first change was to replace the lack lustre transmission select lever cover with a carbon fibre style one. I liked the gloss finish on the knob and have decided to rid myself of the areas of piano black. These are the areas to be replaced:

Air Con surround
Upper centre console surround
Centre console
Interior door handle bowls
Power window covers on 4 doors

I have just received the Air Con surround today from eBay and it took a little fiddling to get it fitted. The supplied part is not true to the shape of the area in the car. One side was wider than the other and required some massaging with a grinder bit on my Dremel tool. After the massage it fitted very snugly and looks much better than the plain gloss black. The part is also available onAliExpress but was more expensive and this item came in quick time from a seller I have purchased from previously.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Black-A...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

More updates in this thread as the other bits arrive. They are currently on their way from China and purchased on both eBay and AliExpress. I find that the RHD versions of stuff are best found on eBay with Hong Kong sellers as they are a RHD country...

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1 - 20 of 25 Posts

oldsalt

· #2 · Aug 1, 2019

I did all that and I also had huge problems with the air con surround, in fact I binned it as too difficult to fit (I also did the dremel bit along with having to heat and bend it).

All the other stuff is good and does the job.

betha_b1

· #3 · Jan 16, 2020

I have had my vehicle for less than a month and my skin scratches the black! Did this just go over there piano black piece with a stick on or did you remove the black console piece? I'm planning to 3m my console black piece but wondering how it is removed? I want to make a pattern to help cut out the 3m layer so I need to remove it. I saw on the parts diagram it's a separate piece. Anyone know how to remove it? Where are the snaps? Where is best to pry?

zarbs

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 16, 2020 (Edited)

Check out the online Mitsubishi manuals at the Russian site. It has all the information you require. You can start with this page which has the disassembly process:

Mitsubishi Motors Service Manual

The blue arrows in the list link to the process of removal for that section. See the section diagrams (marked A-A or B-B etc. on the main diagram) for the placement of scrivets (plastic push button securing rivets), clips and screws etc.

zarbs

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 16, 2020

Addition too my last post - See the section diagrams (marked A-A or B-B etc. on the main diagram) for the placement of scrivets (plastic push button securing rivets), clips and screws etc. You can click on the diagram to bring it up in a larger size in a new window or tab for easier viewing.

betha_b1

· #6 · Jan 16, 2020

zarbs said:
Check out the online Mitsubishi manuals at the Russian site. It has all the information you require. You can start with this page which has the disassembly process:

Mitsubishi Motors Service Manual

The blue arrows in the list link to the process of removal for that section. See the section diagrams (marked A-A or B-B etc. on the main diagram) for the placement of scrivets (plastic push button securing rivets), clips and screws etc.

Wow! Thank you for this! I never would have found this on my own!

zarbs

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 16, 2020

There are a lot of how to videos on YouTube. Most are in Chinese but you can follow the process just by watching. Have a look at this one in which he disassembles the centre console:

There are a bunch of others listed in the sidebar on the right as well...

betha_b1

· #8 · Jan 17, 2020

I appreciate all of your help zarbs! This will help a ton!

betha_b1

· #9 · Jan 22, 2020

Tried 3m clear plastic on the track pad cover last night. It did not turn out well. I will attempt it again later this week. Hoping for better results, otherwise may look to black vinyl 3m vivid wrap. The clear shows too much uneven adhesive so far, so it doesn't look uniform. But I'm new to application and will try again

betha_b1

· #10 · Jan 23, 2020

2

Second try on just the track pad black piece with the clear film. It turned out okayish. I don't love it, but it's tolerable. Waiting on black avery film to see if that looks any better.

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zarbs

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jan 23, 2020

betha_b1 said:
Second try on just the track pad black piece with the clear film. It turned out okayish. I don't love it, but it's tolerable. Waiting on black avery film to see if that looks any better.

I see your point about the grainy look from the adhesive. It detracts from the smooth look of the piano black even though I dislike it. The carbon fibre look still has the gloss plus it is much more resilient to scratches. Interested to see the finish of the pure black film.

betha_b1

· #12 · Jan 24, 2020

I just thought of something, what about clear PlastiDip? Anyone tried that on the Piano black by chance?

AKmonkie

· #13 · Jan 24, 2020

Has anyone found a good way to prevent the scuffing of the piano black areas? I'm scared to wipe the dust off even with a clean soft cloth and I swear there are not rocks on my finger tips...

wasabi

· #14 · Jan 27, 2020

I suggest checking out automotive detailer youtube channels for recommendations

betha_b1

· #15 · Feb 2, 2020

3

betha_b1 said:
Second try on just the track pad black piece with the clear film. It turned out okayish. I don't love it, but it's tolerable. Waiting on black avery film to see if that looks any better.

I got the black Avery film in and I think it looks fantastic! There is a slight orange peel but honestly I think it's worth it for the protection. Picture below is just the tack pad surround done in the black vinyl. Working on the rest. I have a photo of a satin vinyl as well because I thought of trying that too. See the test square under the brake hold.

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betha_b1

· #16 · Feb 3, 2020

3

Finished the large console piece. It was easier than I thought it would be, but still time consuming. I'm pretty happy with it. It does of course scratch too because it is shiny but it appears to only keep the micro scratches and the others kind of self heal. I rubbed it pretty hard with a cloth. I definitely feel less worried about the console piece looking terrible and getting gouged by a gust of wind.

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vixfromthe6

· #17 · Jul 27, 2020

Hi everyone,

Newbie here.

I wanted to get your opinion on this product: B&I® - 2D Dash Kit (in read carbon fibre)

Is it awesome? meh? too pricy? too cheap to be good? there are better alternatives?

I got my EC back in November of 2019 and the "piano black" has so many scratches making it look like I had this car for 5yrs.

I'm glad i found this forum, so I can gather some of your knowledge.

Thanks!

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zarbs

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jul 28, 2020 (Edited)

IMHO the effect looks quite nice. I think the price is OK given it contains all the bits included if you take the full kit for the dash, console and doors. It's a pity they only make the left hand drive version. Window controls and the aircon controls in the dash are different for the left and right hand drive versions. Everything else is the same in both.

GaganKeshav

· #19 · Aug 28, 2021

probably too late to ask, @zarbs, I noticed the 90 degree USB cables in one of your photos. Can I get a link from where you got those please?

zarbs

Discussion Starter · #20 · Aug 28, 2021

GaganKeshav said:
probably too late to ask, @zarbs, I noticed the 90 degree USB cables in one of your photos. Can I get a link from where you got those please?

AliExpress:

www.aliexpress.com

1.28US $ 38% OFF|Mcdodo 3m Usb Cable Fast Charging Phone Charger Data Cable For Iphone 13 12 Mini 11 Pro Max Xs Xr X 8 7 6s 6 Plus 5s Se Ipad Air - Mobile Phone Cables - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

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