[The Gonz]

So...

I still haven't found a safe way to remove the visor lenses so it's just not a priority for me.
I haven't attached the white LED strips to the undersides of the sideskirts yet either, due to the planning and execution of the wiring job, not to mention the proper cleaning of the surfaces for adhesion.

That leaves me perusing eBay once again.

What do you think of getting some silver vinyl wrap to cover the steering wheel panels showing some wear and discolouration?

Here's a representative image for reference:

[The Gonz]

Oops, I started googling this and it pointed me right back to the world's best car forum. 

Disregard. I'm still torn between using some of the Hyper Silver body spray I have or dishing out for some wrap, which offers a chance at a new carbon textured look.

[CraigB]

Wrapping might be your easiest option, or you could disassemble and paint it...or even get it dipped.

[The Gonz]

Yes, seeing how whatever I do would involve disassembly to do it well, I think I'll explore the wrap option. Is there some rule of thumb for how much margin to factor in over dimensions?

Since the trim is all one continuous surface, I'm going with enough to cover the whole wheel area. Some careful planning on where I cut should allow me to create enough wrap-over margin. The overthinking comes from never having worked with wrap before, although I guess it'll be like covering books and cupboard shelves.

[Dazzler]

Yes, seeing how whatever I do would involve disassembly to do it well, I think I'll explore the wrap option. Is there some rule of thumb for how much margin to factor in over dimensions?

Since the trim is all one continuous surface, I'm going with enough to cover the whole wheel area. Some careful planning on where I cut should allow me to create enough wrap-over margin. The overthinking comes from never having worked with wrap before, although I guess it'll be like covering books and cupboard shelves.

You are pretty capable Gonz. It's a confidence thing.  I have lost a lot of my confidence with DIY jobs since they all started turning into "Bailey" jobs.. 

[CraigB]

I've not wrapped anything either, we'll learn from you Gonz plasti dip spray might work alright as well, many colours with numerous effects.

[tw2005]

Yes, seeing how whatever I do would involve disassembly to do it well, I think I'll explore the wrap option. Is there some rule of thumb for how much margin to factor in over dimensions?

Since the trim is all one continuous surface, I'm going with enough to cover the whole wheel area. Some careful planning on where I cut should allow me to create enough wrap-over margin. The overthinking comes from never having worked with wrap before, although I guess it'll be like covering books and cupboard shelves.

Who dares , wins. I stripped mine back, primed, base coat then clear. colour match not perfect but looks fine and no signs of wear.

For about $30 you could get a new one and then give it some clear before install.

Best results would involve disassembly, if the paint is going off I wonder how well wrap will adhere

561512L000G2

Got bored enough to mess with the wheel.
Had a spare wheel which I got last year  to replace my worn leather,
Had the wheel fascia from the wagon I pulled out complete with buttons.\
Had a 41000K clock spring,

Some plastic primer, silver paint, clear coat

Looks refreshed, although paint colour ended being a little light, but happy to say the buttons are now working well again.

I'm calling the clock spring was the culprit.

hard to get an idea of colour with flash and without but the greyer colour is probably most accurate(no flash) New paint is a lighter silver.

[The Gonz]

OK, so in my quest for the lowest cost option, I went with wrap. The advantage of wrap over painting is also the introduction of texture and pattern, so for the meagre cost, I'll have some fun with this look:

127x30cm 3D Carbon Fiber Vinyl Car Wrap Sheet Roll Film Sticker Sheet Decal | eBay

[CraigB]

That should look good Gonz you'll have plenty leftover to maybe match with door trim or console highlights

[Dazzler]

The biggest worry is the cost. If it is genuine 3M then how can they do it for $3 

[The Gonz]

While I wait for the wrap to arrive, here's something on my watch list:

2x 1156 BA15S Car Turn Signal Light Bulb Indicator 20 LED DRL Dual Color Choose | eBay

I just need to be sure the Ba15 sockets for the blinkers can be pulled out and this kit plug straight in their place. Then I'll have the popular White / Amber-Off switchback behaviour  using the blinkers as white DRLs when not blinking.

[Dazzler]

  if it works! 

You can afford it, take a punt! 

[The Gonz]

Well, it looks like I will. The available BA15S (single filament) LED switchback dual colour LEDs are all built for established switchback connection and looming unless they are retrofit kits. The kit types feature the extra wiring, which accommodates the load resistors and adaptors.

So I'm thinking that:
- the existing turn signal globes are simple BA15S incandescent amber globes
- their holders are simple turn-lock plugs without additional wiring
- they complete their circuits when locking into position
- the new holders carry no contacts, using only the red and black wires for the amber blinking function
- the new white wire gets connected to the ACC feed for DRL function

Therefore, to use the selected kit, for each side I'll need to:
- ignore the cluster body's contacts around the holder
- remove the new BA15S adapters
- tap the bare red and black lines into the required points in the cluster's connector
- tap the white wire to ACC
- mount the load resistors to a nearby metal surface for heat dissipation

Have I missed anything?

[Crustycottage]

Well, it looks like I will. The available BA15S (single filament) LED switchback dual colour LEDs are all built for established switchback connection and looming unless they are retrofit kits. The kit types feature the extra wiring, which accommodates the load resistors and adaptors.

So I'm thinking that:
- the existing turn signal globes are simple BA15S incandescent amber globes
- their holders are simple turn-lock plugs without additional wiring
- they complete their circuits when locking into position
- the new holders carry no contacts, using only the red and black wires for the amber blinking function
- the new white wire gets connected to the ACC feed for DRL function

Therefore, to use the selected kit, for each side I'll need to:
- ignore the cluster body's contacts around the holder
- remove the new BA15S adapters
- tap the bare red and black lines into the required points in the cluster's connector
- tap the white wire to ACC
- mount the load resistors to a nearby metal surface for heat dissipation

Have I missed anything?

That's about it, the contactor bulb holder seems to make wiring a pain. Make sure indicator resistors are mounted securely and heat shrunk wires in & out are not damaged or strained otherwise you may have sporadic flashing as was problem in my previous Alfa. I would like to do same with my PD DRLs turning them into indicators. Good luck

[The Gonz]

Thanks, Crusty. I'll procrastinate for a while to be sure of physical compatibility before committing funds but it will be soonish.

Incidentally, I disconnected my LED bars this morning from the parker pin because, given their central location, I was liable to be stopped by the men in black eventually since they were always on at night.

I tried hooking it to the likely pin on the 4-pin fog lamp relay (next to the constant 12V pin) but the car's logic didn't like it (they flashed momentarily while the relay clicked twice), sending me on a fruitless goose chase checking every fuse. When I decided I could live without the foggies for a while, I drove out and the fresh ignition had brought it all back to health. I might either persist with a relay contact or hook it up deeper in the bay at the foggy's connector, which is a little more work.

[The Gonz]

Done.

New T25 Dual-Color Switchback LED Turn Signal Light With DRL Function Kit GD | eBay

Now to wait for it to arrive.

[CraigB]

Cool be great if the slot in the new bulb base/grommet sizes up perfectly with the hole in the housing

[Dazzler]

 

Look forward to your next update.

[Shambles]

Done.

Splendid. There's no turning back now...

[The Gonz]

Famous last words, @Shambles ?

Dear customer,
Thank you for your support for our company.
Our colleague decide to send your item out before.
But very Sorry to inform you, we tested it , and found this batch’s products has some quality problem.
We finally withdraw the shipping.
We have connected our supplier.
So we temporarily can’t send you this item.
And the arrival of the next batch’s products will be 15-35 days later.
How about we refund to you first ?
Really sorry for all the troubles for you.
I think you can choose a better product later.
Best wishes

  ... so now I'm waiting to see the refund come through before trying another version.

[CraigB]

I guess you'll wait for the updated version then buy again

[The Gonz]

I was hoping they'd just let it get sent anyway so I could do a sizing match.