Rear Parcel Shelf Reupholster - Sunshade Removal

[Twistytee]

Has anyone removed their electric rear sunshade to reupholster the parcel shelf? I see it’s attached underneath with for bolts but it also appears to be revited with stamped brackets at the motor and on either side along its length. Are these brackets glued to the shelf or riveted through the fiber board?

[effduration]

Can't comment on sun shade issue, thought maybe RealOEM will show you how they are put together.

Are you really going to re-upholster the rear deck? I re-dyed my black one (which had turned purple). I tried the black dye and vinegar method found on you tube, but i could not get it dark enough. Next time I will use the 3m spray.

[computiNATEor]

I’ve never dealt with it, but I’m sure a quick trip to google for “BMW e39 rear sunshade removal” will get you the info you need.

[Twistytee]

Can't comment on sun shade issue, thought maybe RealOEM will show you how they are put together.

Are you really going to re-upholster the rear deck? I re-dyed my black one (which had turned purple). I tried the black dye and vinegar method found on you tube, but i could not get it dark enough. Next time I will use the 3m spray.

It’s not just the faded cover, the foam is disintegrating under the material and it’s starting to lift up in several spots. I tried to re-glue with high quality adhesive but I’m doubtful it will hold.

Realoem shows the shade but not specific detail as to how it’s attached. I have a feeling those that retrofit it don’t re-attach the 3 stamped metal support stays, just the 4 bolts/nuts.

I’ve never dealt with it, but I’m sure a quick trip to google for “BMW e39 rear sunshade removal” will get you the info you need.

Oddly enough there’s no specific details or DIY on the web that I can locate showing removal or install from the actual fiberboard shelf. I found a couple of DIYs showing retrofits, but none showing removal or attachment for the shade mechanism to the board.

Guess I will proceed with the removal and deconstruct how those stamped pieces are attached. Once it’s off the material recovering looks reasonably straight forward.

[computiNATEor]

I'm guessing the three 10mm nuts underneath/above the DSP subwoofer box have to come out. That's probably the only attachment point. Obviously, be careful when removing the shelf as there is a wiring connector somewhere.

[Dking078]

I did it.

I honestly can't remember HOW exactly, but it's easy to figure out through eyeballing it.

There a few bolts, plastic tabs (the two corner pieces can be a bit tricky) but otherwise straight forward as the shade assembly should exit through the back in one piece.

[juststeve]

correct, you get to it from both sides.
Seats, headrests, belt anchors, side panels, deck panel, insulation on top and speaker housing with coverpanel in the trunk. It all goes.
Working on this part of the car is so much fun; I suggest replacing the shocks while the car is in that many pieces.
Twisting and separating the deck panel from the sunshade is good for 20-30 mins.

I'm guessing the three 10mm nuts underneath/above the DSP subwoofer box have to come out. That's probably the only attachment point. Obviously, be careful when removing the shelf as there is a wiring connector somewhere.

[Twistytee]

correct, you get to it from both sides.
Seats, headrests, belt anchors, side panels, deck panel, insulation on top and speaker housing with coverpanel in the trunk. It all goes.
Working on this part of the car is so much fun; I suggest replacing the shocks while the car is in that many pieces.
Twisting and separating the deck panel from the sunshade is good for 20-30 mins.

Thanks for the tips but I already have the rear shelf removed and on my work table for restoration. Removing the shelf
from the car wasn’t the issue. My question relates to how one removes the actual sunshade/motor mechanism from the shelf so that I can recover the board. In addition to the four nuts/bolts (mounting mechanism of the shade to board and not to the car), it looks like I either have to cut away glued attachment points for the 3 stamped brackets or potentially drill out attachment rivets. Prior to going this route, I was hoping someone had experience and perhaps the process was more simple than it looks. Sounds like most don’t go this route or haven’t tried to reupholster the rear shelf.

[juststeve]

sounds interesting. I believe the sunshade cartridge is a non-serviceable part... Although an aftermarket kit is now available for the plastic ends that tend to snap off.
Most owners would simply purchase a replacement cartridge or source a salvage unit.

If you google: sunshade repair kit E39
A company called: AGA tools will pop-up. Their video is about as deep as I have seen anyone get into it.
A competent upholstery shop may be your next step if you plan to replace the shade material.

maybe something with a "my little pony" theme.

[Twistytee]

So for future reference and in case anyone decides to tackle the same project, the sunshade assembly is held in-place on the rear deck by 4 10mm nuts and 3 stamped metal stays. The stays are riveted to the body of the sunshade mechanism, and then secured to the bottom of the parcel shelf with adhesive/double sided tape. I was able to free the stays using a putty knife, and then remove the sunshade assembly and associated plastic trim. I plan to recover it in the same material I'm using for the headliner and then will re-install at the same time in order to minimize the potential for damaging the c pillars when removed.

Shot of one of the side metal stay supports and one of the 4 110mm nuts

Untitled by Twistytee, on Flickr

Center support stay that is glued/taped to the fiberboard shelf

Untitled by Twistytee, on Flickr

Removal with putty knife

Untitled by Twistytee, on Flickr

Speed nuts securing the plastic trim on either end of the sunshade slot

Untitled by Twistytee, on Flickr

Removed sunshade assembly, nuts, and plastic trim

Untitled by Twistytee, on Flickr

Fiberboard that now needs to be stripped and cleaned

Untitled by Twistytee, on Flickr

I went with black micro-suede when I re-did the headliner on my E36 hardtop. Thinking I might use the same material in charcoal for the headliner and rear shelf.

[Twistytee]

Got the shelf clean-up and free of old foam and adhesive. Should look pretty good once I recover it and re-install the sunshade.

Untitled by Twistytee, on Flickr

[zM3]

I read this thread and then parked my 540i at the Charlotte airport yesterday, walked halfway down the row and saw a black 530i with its rear parcel shelf removed...funny coincidence. Mine stayed nearly the original color until I moved the car to South Carolina early this year and then left it outside at the airport for 3 weeks in April (unplanned emergency). It's not purple yet but it's definitely turning blue/gray, luckily no sunshade to deal with when the time comes to deal with the shelf. Interested to see the results when your parcel shelf is recovered.

[Twistytee]

Funny. Was it on the second level of the Daily East garage? Might have been mine...

Material came in in yesterday so I’ll recover this weekend. Still need to take out the headliner board so I can do it at the same time.

[zM3]

Funny. Was it on the second level of the Daily East garage? Might have been mine...

Yes, 2nd level Daily East.

[Twistytee]

Recovered it in black UV treated microsuede. I think it came out pretty well considering all the contours and cut outs. The center sunshade channel was the hardest area. I used a low temp heat gun and roller to get it to conform to the shape. I’ll let it cure for a few days and then work on installing it back in the car.

Untitled by Twistytee, on Flickr

[computiNATEor]

What glue are you using?

[Twistytee]

Weldwood Landau Top & Trim

good stuff. Very heat resistant. I’ve done a couple headliners and door card repairs with it and they’re still holding strong.

Untitled by Twistytee, on Flickr


Another shot of it with vents and speaker grilles installed. I need to get some 3M double sided tape to re-install the sunshade.

Untitled by Twistytee, on Flickr

[Kenny1958]

Looks good.

[peter540]

Where did you find the microsuede material again?

[Twistytee]

https://www.yourautotrim.com/suheobl.html

[BarryM]

This is timely as I’ve just got a used one which I’m gonna get covered in Alcantara


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[atobe]

@Twistytee I took off the rear deck last weekend to repair the sunshade end plastic. So i left the sunshade on the car, I was unable to see how you put those 4 10mm nuts back on to the rear deck to reinstall. I guess they were already lose since i was able to slide the rear deck forward, but I couldn't slide them back into place with the nuts on. I would like to put the nuts back on. Is the right way to take off the sunshade and re-attach that to the rear deck then install as one unit? Or can you put back the nuts if I go from underneath? I have the nokia subwoofer box, i didn't remove that either.

[Twistytee]

The nuts go on after you install the rear deck with the sunshade in place as one unit (the studs from the shade mechanism pass through the parcel shelf and into slots on the rear metal deck. You then thread the nuts on the studs to hold the shade tight against the shelf/deck. I have aftermarket free air subs mounted to the deck and I can see the studs from the shade between the subs. I would imagine you need to drop the Nokia box to access the studs and thread the nuts from underneath (inside the trunk).

One comment to my DIY is the metal stays I show in post #10 are attached to the shelf with high strength Velcro. No need to remove with putty knife. The rivets just attach the Velcro pads to the stays.

[atobe]

Ok thanks, I will have to do it from underneath then. Wasn't sure if that was the right thing to do.