How to: BMW E46 M3 Armrest Restoration - Fix Damaged BMW Plastics

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In this video I will guide you through the steps to remove the door panel, armrest, and to restore your damaged armrests. I recommend using a good quality paint like SEM if you are taking on this project. If you are tired like I was of looking at peeling and sticky armrests and don't want to spend hundreds of dollars then follow along.
Also, sorry for he video quality isn’t great. I’m experimenting with some editing and have more to learn. I’ll get it though!!
Check out my last how to video - • How to: CarPro DLUX Ce...
List of products:
SEM Satin Black Color Coat - bit.ly/3N061dl
SEM Color Coat - bit.ly/3zw4J4j
CitriStrip 17oz Paint Stripper - low.es/3f26GhO
Make sure you have:
T20 Torx
Trim Tools
Lots of Paper Towels and Gloves
Paint Prep Spray

Опубликовано:

30 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 27

@davecolquhoun9315 6 месяцев назад

I needed the part where you seperated the top from the bottom, you start to show how, then it skips forward apart, crap!!!

@thedriversapex 6 месяцев назад

Oh no! My best advice is to work your trim tool around the perimeter of the armrest and use pick tools or anything else you can think of to release the tabs on the inside. You can do this. Patience is the key!!! Let me know how it goes. - Tom

@vigilance6806 12 дней назад

Looks great! What SEM color was used on the top half? Or was the clear what gave it a slightly different shade than the bottom?

@rabmc Год назад

I love the Titan shadow trim, don’t think anyone has ever properly matched it to my knowledge, I bought some new trim in that colour as I want to preserve the oem look. Arm rest trim are expensive though.

@thedriversapex Год назад

Thanks for watching!! I definitely agree and I want to install oem trim sometime soon, but I need to dedicate that money towards part of the big 3. I think the titan trim looks great when it’s fresh. Mine was looking bad, especially on the driver’s side. I am liking the darker look though. Thanks again for watching!!

@marknoir Год назад

Thx to your instructions, my armrest is fine. I used dark metallic grey, and it looks fine. Certainly a million timber better than before))). Since my car is a driver, not a show car, this handle will do nicely. 3 cotes of plastic prep, 3 off metallic, 3 of matte clear. Thank you for your instructions!

@S54M3Yavuz Год назад

Thats a very helpfull video dude, thanks.👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 I have a Kiwi (yellow/greenish) interrior with titan shadow armrest. I will try a grey colour to match the oem look... Is it so diffucult like it looks to get the armrest in 2 pieces?? 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

@thedriversapex Год назад

Hey! Thanks for watching. It’s only difficult because it takes time and patience. I say, go slow, and you’ll be rewarded with two unbroken pieces. I would love to see your interior. Sounds awesome! I think I’m going to re-edit and re-post the video. I was trying something new with the editing that I now know how to edit. My best advice is to put a good coat of clear on the arm rests as the seat belt metal clip can scratch the finish if it’s not strong enough. I think two cans of clear would get both sides done well. I’m not sure the bottom part needs as much clear. LMK how your project goes. Thanks again for watching!!

@marknoir Год назад

Very nice. Except I would really like to see how to separate the two pieces in normal speed. None has s video on that. I tried to separate mine and of course broke a couple of tabs. I’m not planning to disassemble it anymore after I paint it, so I will just glue it back I guess.

@thedriversapex Год назад

Thanks for watching! I’m sorry to hear. Yes, glue it back and you’ll never know. I was always a split second from breaking a tab. Like you saw: I just kept using plastic trim tools to separate the halves while gently separating the two haves. It’s not easy, but I’m hopeful your armrests look awesome when you’re done!!

@steveng8580 Год назад

Tom, nice meeting you today. Your car is beautiful! We’ll have to get our two M3’s together. See you around the neighborhood.

@thedriversapex Год назад

Thanks for stopping by! Can’t wait to see your M3! Thanks for subscribing and watching!! -Tom

@marknoir Год назад

I see you used Citri stripper. Did you use it because it doesn’t damage plastic? I have a can of Klean Strip, but afraid to use it. Thank you.

@thedriversapex Год назад

Hey, thanks for watching. Yes, I read that it would not harm the plastic, and I can confirm that it did not hurt mine either. It will, however leave a white residue after you clean off the citristrip. LMK if you have any questions. -Tom

@marknoir Год назад

How many times did you have to spray the stripper? I sprayed one layer, it wasn’t enough.

@thedriversapex Год назад

@@marknoir I had to spray a couple times. I sprayed it thick and let it sit until it bubbled. From there I was able to wipe it off. Keep updated. Want to make sure this turns out really good for you.

@marknoir Год назад

Hi. Yes, after two sprays it all came off. Thx. Ready for paint.

@thedriversapex Год назад

@@marknoir awesome!!!! Great job

@ericwentzel8950 Год назад

Looks better. I would think about adding some red insert to the door card to match your seats. bye also cover the leather armrest pad in red.

@janewaidanz3117 Год назад

Impressive result!

@averyc7492 Год назад

Wow this is on my to-do list and I happened to see this! Nice

@thedriversapex Год назад

That makes me so happy!! Send me a photo when you’re done. I’d love to see your results. Thanks for watching.

@averyc7492 Год назад

@@thedriversapex would you say that the clearcoat is required? I have the exact black SEM spraypaint but not the clear. Also did you wetsand the clear or black coat or both? Thanks

@thedriversapex Год назад

@@averyc7492 I would definitely use the clear coat to give the arm rests some protection otherwise the paint will easily scuff. I lightly wet sanded the paint, not to smooth the finish, but to fix a paint splatter spot. See how your arm rests feels. If you like it then clear it with some quality coats of clear. I don’t want your seat belt metal clip to scuff your hard work so, if you can, clear the handle and you’ll be much happier. LMK how it goes.

@averyc7492 Год назад

@@thedriversapex thanks for the info!