Gen 4 Wood Overlay Question

[jhbhatia]

Hello:
When we bought our 1997 XLE V6 - we had the dealership (port installed - not toyota installed) add similated wood overlays. For those who are unclear as to what these are, they are similated wood paper backing on a hard plastic cover that gives it the 'wood' look - hence simulated wood overlays. They look really sweet in person and feel well. However, the wood overlay by the a/c wents has bubbled and cracked.



Most overlays are stuff that goes over your trim. How do i remove the previous overlay (since i want to replace it with newer stuff). Do I need to first buy the trim and them buy the overlay...or is there a better way to remove the overlays. My attempt to remove the overlays - entailed them cracking up and coming out in pieces...I didn't venture too deep - as i wanted to ASK you all before i make something thats intended to look good - look shabbby.
HELP - COMMENTS - SUGGESTIONS - APPRECIATED!

[southpawz]

Mine were in poor shape on my Camry when I bought it...I just took my time and pulled it all off. It will break and come off in alot of pieces. A puddy knife helps too.

When you pull it off the clear overlay and the wood part under it both have to be pulled off.....a new kit comes ready to install with 3M tape on the back.

I bought an all new wood dash kit off Ebay and it looks good as new. A good tip for reinstalling it it to use a hairdryer to heat the trim up to make it more flexable to fit arounfd the curves of the dash...or you can just lay it in the sun to help soften it up too.

HTH

[jhbhatia]

^^ Thanks. Just the answer i was looking for.

Mods you may now close this thread!

[98CamryLE]

try using a hair dryer to heat up the plastic before pulling it off, usually that will help get dash trims off faster ane easier.

[jhbhatia]

Any reputed ebay sellers for pieces (as i do not need the complete set).

[eyeball96]

The OEM wood on my gen 3.5 coupe was cooked "well done" when I bought it. Yes, it does come off in pieces. I heated the stuff with a hair dryer and pulled it off, there was lots of adhesive left behind. I heated it too, and used a gloved hand and rubbed it off with my fingers. I haven't replaced it yet.

[southpawz]

Originally Posted by jhbhatia

Any reputed ebay sellers for pieces (as i do not need the complete set).

Not sure if all are the same or not... But I got lucky and bought mine off an individual that had it laying around that he got from an overstock sale or something so I picked it up for like $40 shipped .... Just look around and find the best deal with the most trim pieces. I have noticed not all sellers have the same amount of pieces in their kits.... Mine came with the pieces that cover the fold down cup holder doors in center console but if I remember right some kits didnt have these.

[jhbhatia]

What is the color of my wood interior? Any one know....picture was in post 1 (top).

[eyeball96]

Light Burl wood maybe?


http://www.bdtrims.com/images/materials/LBW_big.jpg