Alcantara Trim...

[amancuso]

My car came with this "custom" made trim. I'm looking to trade it if anyone is interested.



This is not a sale thread, just wondering if anyone has seen anything like this before?

[ColtonBH]

I dig it, it looks pretty good

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[auaq]

Contact DKing09 (think I got his name right) since he's always selling a complete set of various trims.

[cnsorial]

I've seen those sets on eBay. Interesting for sure. Just not sure it belongs in an e39


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[Dking078]

Contact DKing09 (think I got his name right) since he's always selling a complete set of various trims.

Close enough XD

[ojomo]

[amancuso]

Close enough XD

What does this Maplewood trim for $150.00 look like? damage?

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

A few weeks ago, I missed a perfect set of technical graphite trims that sold for 120 bucks on the local Craigslist out here. The guy literally sold it 15 mins before he got my email.

[Mpowered02]

A few weeks ago, I missed a perfect set of technical graphite trims that sold for 120 bucks on the local Craigslist out here. The guy literally sold it 15 mins before he got my email.

Last Fall I was at the LKQ Pick Your Part in Jessup. Came across a silver 540i with a clean black interior that had a perfect set of technical graphite trim. Was a guy picking through the car already that got there 5 min before I did and had already started pulling the trim. Don't think he really knew what it was though...I talked to him and he didn't sound like an enthusiast. Was just grabbing that trim because it was in better shape than the wood in his car. If only I was 10 minutes earlier. I'm sure he got if all for a steal too... FML

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

You know, there is a junkyard that specializes in European cars out in Fredrick, MD. Fredrick is like 15 minutes away from me, just across the river. I have just never taken the time to check it out. I'm gonna keep that in mind, maybe for this weekend or the next. I'm always busy doing something, but if I put my mind on it, I could squeeze in a morning, I'm gonna try.

[amancuso]

You know, there is a junkyard that specializes in European cars out in Fredrick, MD. Fredrick is like 15 minutes away from me, just across the river. I have just never taken the time to check it out. I'm gonna keep that in mind, maybe for this weekend or the next. I'm always busy doing something, but if I put my mind on it, I could squeeze in a morning, I'm gonna try.

Sometimes you hit gold in those places, but sometimes things are gone over with a fine tooth comb.

[Kershaw]

You know, there is a junkyard that specializes in European cars out in Fredrick, MD. Fredrick is like 15 minutes away from me, just across the river. I have just never taken the time to check it out. I'm gonna keep that in mind, maybe for this weekend or the next. I'm always busy doing something, but if I put my mind on it, I could squeeze in a morning, I'm gonna try.

Really? What's the name of the place?

[geargrinder]

Sometimes you hit gold in those places, but sometimes things are gone over with a fine tooth comb.

Sometimes the guy who gets there before you breaks the trim not knowing out to take it off then leaves it there all ruined for you to get pizzed off about.

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

Really? What's the name of the place?

Potomac German Auto
4305 Lime Kiln Rd, Frederick, MD 21703

301) 428-8239

http://www.pgauto.com/



It doesn't show weekend schedules, give them a call.

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

Man, just called them, their schedule blows, closed on the weekends.

M-F 8am to 5pm

[euro2fast4u]

Man, just called them, their schedule blows, closed on the weekends.

M-F 8am to 5pm

how the hell does that work for anyone i need to get over there and see what they have.

[amancuso]

how the hell does that work for anyone i need to get over there and see what they have.

I can tell you what they don't have... Alcantara trim. :-P

[euro2fast4u]

That "alcantra" trim is fake suede some one snagged from joann fabrics and glued to the old trim. You can wrap all the trim in about an hour for 20 bucks.

The fake suede fades just like that. (my dash in the e30 was wrapped in it, and while it was garaged it stayed perfect, the uv destroys the fake crap)

Real alcantra is 108 a yard, 250 bucks to wrap an e30 dash for fabric only

[waters17]

That "alcantra" trim is fake suede some one snagged from joann fabrics and glued to the old trim. You can wrap all the trim in about an hour for 20 bucks.

The fake suede fades just like that. (my dash in the e30 was wrapped in it, and while it was garaged it stayed perfect, the uv destroys the fake crap)

Real alcantra is 108 a yard, 250 bucks to wrap an e30 dash for fabric only

I recently wrapped mine like that. How long did it take to fade? I tried finding pics of faded fake suede but came up empty handed. I could only find internet legends from guys who knew a guy. -You're the first direct source I've come across. Any pics? Apparently no one wants to take pics of faded fake suede interiors.

My rear parcel shelf was faded purple when I got my car, but some shoe polish corrected that. -It Looks great now. I imagine the same method would apply to the fake suede too, but the trim would be much easier to remove than the shelf.

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

how the hell does that work for anyone i need to get over there and see what they have.

Shoot, at least you live in Fredrick, maybe get out there and snag me some stuff before they close during the week...... I work til 5 out in Dulles.

- - - Updated - - -

By the way, we're neighbors!

[euro2fast4u]

I recently wrapped mine like that. How long did it take to fade? I tried finding pics of faded fake suede but came up empty handed. I could only find internet legends from guys who knew a guy. -You're the first direct source I've come across. Any pics? Apparently no one wants to take pics of faded fake suede interiors.

My rear parcel shelf was faded purple when I got my car, but some shoe polish corrected that. -It Looks great now. I imagine the same method would apply to the fake suede too, but the trim would be much easier to remove than the shelf.

since i left the forums since tech died ive given up on taking pictures. I did it 7 years ago. the car was in the garage for 5 years. and faded roughly 6 months out side. once it fades it likes old and tired. I just removed the fake suede and have been cleaning the dash with acetone to remove the old glue. Even the glue has failed after that long (3m super 77 i think, ive heard there is a better one in the 90 range that works the best)

Been stashing crap on flickr now

20170305_161001 by euro2fast4u, on Flickr

ignore the shit show

20160313_144330 by euro2fast4u, on Flickr

20160313_144320 by euro2fast4u, on Flickr

20160313_144310 by euro2fast4u, on Flickr

20160214_152041 by euro2fast4u, on Flickr

This fabric was about 10 bucks a yard. and went from black, to purple ish to grey. it felt ok after this long, it just wasnt black anymore.

If i was to do it again i may try uv spray. However ive been in contact with the alcantra guys and plan on buying some fabric from them shortly.

[amancuso]

That "alcantra" trim is fake suede some one snagged from joann fabrics and glued to the old trim. You can wrap all the trim in about an hour for 20 bucks.

The fake suede fades just like that. (my dash in the e30 was wrapped in it, and while it was garaged it stayed perfect, the uv destroys the fake crap)

Real alcantra is 108 a yard, 250 bucks to wrap an e30 dash for fabric only

I know it's fake and I know someone did it. I just don't want it and I know some people don't want to do it themselves. The above quote was just a joke for fun.

[geargrinder]

Well. Alcantara is by definition "fake suede". Some of the cheaper 'synthetic suede leathers' are basically identical and pretty much just as good, just aren't branded with "Alcantara".
Others are indeed cheap, and shortcut on the recipe as well as probably (this would be harder to tell) things about the processing - the 'feel' of the cut rate ones isn't quite as nice either, I think they tend to have more 'direction' on the texture (aka if you touch it it shows more, which is annoying as it constantly looks messy unless you've 'brushed' it and it hasn't been touched) . The fading would be because they cheap-out on UV additives to the fiber resins. Its just like "Polartech" branded fleece material vs cheaper fleeces... some are high quality but aren't the "#1 brand", others are indeed cheap, but they're all based on variations of the same core fiber/resin recipes.

I've seen exactly what you describe before for the cheap stuff for sure - the black->purple->gray evolution sounds exactly right, I've seen really ugly gray-purple suedes in the junkyard that were supposed to be black. .

Even the real Alcant I think can fade somewhat over years but I'm talking more like 15yr old Audi or ZHP interiors that have been in the sun most of that time, and its not nearly as dramatic as the "black->purple->gray" evolution you describe, more like slightly faded black->gray. The expensive stuff for sure is pretty good. My shift boots have been in the sun a crapload (uh, like shift/brake boot in convertible?) and they are still exactly the orig dark gray color.

[BimmerBreaker]

Afaik I was the first to do Alcantara trim, did it in 09 ish, back when nobody even knew where to buy Alcantara. Have a few pics on M5board, I also had an Alcantara steering wheel, shift boot/knob and ebrake boot/knob. I started with a black seude then didnt like that it didnt match the headliner so I bought the real deal (big bucks) and re-wrapped it. Re-wrapped all but the center console. Sold the M5 to a guy on the East Coast NE area somewhere. I know he ripped it out of his car. Im wondering if thats my trim in your car, the center console being a different color looks like a bit of a giveaway.

If the center console and other trims dont match like the picture indicates Im interested in buying it outright. I really do think that could be mine, and with me now actually really getting into upholstery - partly after my interest in it started with that M5 - itd be cool to come full circle and buy the "first" trim I did. Plus if its mine its far from perfect...

Fwiw since people were talking about it, I also do sell genuine Alcantara and I am the cheapest US source for it. I also have auto-grade UV-resistant seudes and the OE seude bolster material from mid-90's BMWs...
Real Alcantara also does not sun fade, seudes that are not UV treated will usually bleach, causing a loss of pigment usually turning them a slightly purple/pink color

[amancuso]

Afaik I was the first to do Alcantara trim, did it in 09 ish, back when nobody even knew where to buy Alcantara. Have a few pics on M5board, I also had an Alcantara steering wheel, shift boot/knob and ebrake boot/knob. I started with a black seude then didnt like that it didnt match the headliner so I bought the real deal (big bucks) and re-wrapped it. Re-wrapped all but the center console. Sold the M5 to a guy on the East Coast NE area somewhere. I know he ripped it out of his car. Im wondering if thats my trim in your car, the center console being a different color looks like a bit of a giveaway.

If the center console and other trims dont match like the picture indicates Im interested in buying it outright. I really do think that could be mine, and with me now actually really getting into upholstery - partly after my interest in it started with that M5 - itd be cool to come full circle and buy the "first" trim I did. Plus if its mine its far from perfect...

Fwiw since people were talking about it, I also do sell genuine Alcantara and I am the cheapest US source for it. I also have auto-grade UV-resistant seudes and the OE seude bolster material from mid-90's BMWs...
Real Alcantara also does not sun fade, seudes that are not UV treated will usually bleach, causing a loss of pigment usually turning them a slightly purple/pink color

I have no idea if it's your trim or not. The original trim under the wrap looks like Vavona wood.
Here's some pics I took of it. It's def. faded as you can see the back parts are much darker than the front.