OEM+ 2012 Phantom Black Avant Build Thread

[johnnySV]

Subscribed!

[avantagg]

Still waiting on a friend for the sunshade install assist, but the success with dyeing the shade got my wheels turning.

So I bought a spray gun, and a gallon of dye-na-flow.... and said what the hell. Too early to tell tonight but I'm hoping the color will hold once dry. I may have an extra avant headliner/pillar set in black soon if anyone out there is interested!

[bakedziti]

Very nice Chris!

[petraman]

It's pretty impressive that the weave is still visible... Looks OEM.

[johnnySV]

fantastic idea!
staying tuned !!......


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[sferraro]

Still waiting on a friend for the sunshade install assist, but the success with dyeing the shade got my wheels turning.

So I bought a spray gun, and a gallon of dye-na-flow.... and said what the hell. Too early to tell tonight but I'm hoping the color will hold once dry. I may have an extra avant headliner/pillar set in black soon if anyone out there is interested!

Awesome, man! You won't have any problem moving that old headliner, etc. now.

[Gunnark100]

So I bought a spray gun, and a gallon of dye-na-flow.... and said what the hell.

Nice one Chris, we could have skip a shopping tour in Europe

[avantagg]

Nice one Chris, we could have skip a shopping tour in Europe

Hah, perhaps. But that was kinda fun really digging deep for some of those parts. The roof rails were definitely a win. Thanks again for all of your help!

Awesome, man! You won't have any problem moving that old headliner, etc. now.

We will see how this stuff looks once it's fully cured. I think it's going to need at least 2-3 more coats for a factory looking finish. This dye is very thin and the spongy headliner really soaks it up. Will hit it a few more times, let it dry properly and update when ready.

Here's what the sunshade looks like after 3 coats. It's damn near OEM black as far as I can tell.

[sferraro]

Hah, perhaps. But that was kinda fun really digging deep for some of those parts. The roof rails were definitely a win. Thanks again for all of your help!



We will see how this stuff looks once it's fully cured. I think it's going to need at least 2-3 more coats for a factory looking finish. This dye is very thin and the spongy headliner really soaks it up. Will hit it a few more times, let it dry properly and update when ready.

Here's what the sunshade looks like after 3 coats. It's damn near OEM black as far as I can tell.

Looks great, man. I bet you can't wait to get it installed after all the work you've done. How's it feel? Change the texture/stiffness of the fabric at all?

[avantagg]

Looks great, man. I bet you can't wait to get it installed after all the work you've done. How's it feel? Change the texture/stiffness of the fabric at all?

Yes, very much looking forward to putting this damn thing back together! It's been a learning process and a real test of patience. The interior of the car has changed a lot, I still have a few more things I am planning on installing in the coming weeks and can't wait to share some photos of the completion.

The dye dries very soft. It only leaves the fabric slightly stiffer and it really soaks into the threads instead of sitting on top of them like paint. Visibly, you wouldn't be able to tell that a paint/dye was used. It just takes forever to cure and needs several applications. The pillars will need a different type of treatment I am afraid, due to their harder and less porous surface..... but I have a plan for that too.

[Butler230]

Very impressive work here. It truly looks OEM at this point.

On a separate note, what do you have up your sleeve for the rear bumper? I saw your feeler thread and had to ask.

[dropshadow]

This is pretty awesome. I wish I had known about this stuff when I had my last car.

[avantagg]

Very impressive work here. It truly looks OEM at this point.

On a separate note, what do you have up your sleeve for the rear bumper? I saw your feeler thread and had to ask.

Thanks! The headliner will require a few more coats to get it to the same color/consistency as the sunshade. Going to keep playing : )

As for the bumper, I've been toying with the idea of replacing it with a facelift s-line unit (sourcing and shipping depending). I like the slightly sharper lines of the facelift rear end and think it would complement the lines of the RS4 spoiler I'm putting on the car soon. Just thought it would be fun to switch up.

[jmeenach]

Thanks! The headliner will require a few more coats to get it to the same color/consistency as the sunshade. Going to keep playing : )

As for the bumper, I've been toying with the idea of replacing it with a facelift s-line unit (sourcing and shipping depending). I like the slightly sharper lines of the facelift rear end and think it would complement the lines of the RS4 spoiler I'm putting on the car soon. Just thought it would be fun to switch up.

I think that would look great. Would that require a new rear bumper as well? I'm assuming it would have to be sourced from Europe, as we only have the AR.

[avantagg]

I think that would look great. Would that require a new rear bumper as well? I'm assuming it would have to be sourced from Europe, as we only have the AR.

Yes, it's a new facelift bumper and valence just like the photo above. As far as I know it's a direct fit as long as it's avant/avant. Sourcing from Europe through a contact I have over there. Shipping is the big outlier at the moment.

[jmeenach]

Yes, it's a new facelift bumper and valence just like the photo above. As far as I know it's a direct fit as long as it's avant/avant. Sourcing from Europe through a contact I have over there. Shipping is the big outlier at the moment.

Should be a direct swap, as the taillight/hatch shape didn't change like on the sedan. Not sure what the best route would be to address shipping, but I'm sure other members on here will have some insight.

[sferraro]

Thanks! The headliner will require a few more coats to get it to the same color/consistency as the sunshade. Going to keep playing : )

As for the bumper, I've been toying with the idea of replacing it with a facelift s-line unit (sourcing and shipping depending). I like the slightly sharper lines of the facelift rear end and think it would complement the lines of the RS4 spoiler I'm putting on the car soon. Just thought it would be fun to switch up.

Can't wait to see photos of the finished product. You'll love the black headliner/interior. It was a priority when I was looking for my Titanium Sport Package. I'm still waiting on the MMI dash pieces I picked up from you - they're at the painter still.

Man Chris, you're gonna get me in trouble with the facelift bumper idea. Keep me posted - I've always disliked the more rounded version of our avants as compared to the sharper facelift lines.

[Butler230]

As for the bumper, I've been toying with the idea of replacing it with a facelift s-line unit (sourcing and shipping depending). I like the slightly sharper lines of the facelift rear end and think it would complement the lines of the RS4 spoiler I'm putting on the car soon. Just thought it would be fun to switch up.

I figured you were going that route. I much prefer the facelift version as well. I wish it would just slide right into the current bumper.

I've never cared for how the exhaust tips sit on this diffuser. No matter how they are positioned, they appear to stick out too much from the side because of how the cutouts taper. I've always wanted to modify the RS5 version with oval tips to fit mine ( think Dasquade did this), but since I don't have anyone in the area who I trust to do the work, I'll probably just stick with the current design. I've also thought about painting it darker just so it flows with the Black Optics better.

Man Chris, you're gonna get me in trouble with the facelift bumper idea. Keep me posted - I've always disliked the more rounded version of our avants as compared to the sharper facelift lines.

Amen to that. The wife is going to kill me if I find something else to spend money on right now!

[avantagg]

I figured you were going that route. I much prefer the facelift version as well. I wish it would just slide right into the current bumper.

I've never cared for how the exhaust tips sit on this diffuser. No matter how they are positioned, they appear to stick out too much from the side because of how the cutouts taper. I've always wanted to modify the RS5 version with oval tips to fit mine ( think Dasquade did this), but since I don't have anyone in the area who I trust to do the work, I'll probably just stick with the current design. I've also thought about painting it darker just so it flows with the Black Optics better.



Amen to that. The wife is going to kill me if I find something else to spend money on right now!

Haha! I think that wive's sentiment is collective around here. Mine certainly thinks I'm nuts after ripping my car apart for the headliner swap.

I love dasquade's RS5 retrofit. It's amazing. My concerns would be the same as your's regarding fabrication and fitment. The oval pipes are nice, but I've already got 4" inch Billy Boat tips so my thinking was that it may be less effort to use a Facelift s-line bumper & diffusor and (hopefully) get great fitment with my current exhaust without having to modify the pipes.

The plan would be a body color matched Phantom Black diffusor perimeter and keep the stock matte black mesh on the recessed part. I think that this is how titanium edition diffusers come stock? No idea though... Diffuser would look something similar to this:



Note the RS4 spoiler on the hatch! Love those sharper lines.

[sferraro]

Haha! I think that wive's sentiment is collective around here. Mine certainly thinks I'm nuts after ripping my car apart for the headliner swap.

I love dasquade's RS5 retrofit. It's amazing. My concerns would be the same as your's regarding fabrication and fitment. The oval pipes are nice, but I've already got 4" inch Billy Boat tips so my thinking was that it may be less effort to use a Facelift s-line bumper & diffusor and (hopefully) get great fitment with my current exhaust without having to modify the pipes.

The plan would be a body color matched Phantom Black diffusor perimeter and keep the stock matte black mesh on the recessed part. I think that this is how titanium edition diffusers come stock? No idea though... Diffuser would look something similar to this:



Note the RS4 spoiler on the hatch! Love those sharper lines.

I'm with you on the RS4 spoiler, Chris. Have you been keeping an eye on the RS4-style roof spoiler group buy in the Avants Only section? I'm super tempted to join the Round 2 buy, but I'm waiting to see how fitament is.

[avantagg]

I'm with you on the RS4 spoiler, Chris. Have you been keeping an eye on the RS4-style roof spoiler group buy in the Avants Only section? I'm super tempted to join the Round 2 buy, but I'm waiting to see how fitament is.

I have seen it and would of have jumped in had I not already bought one from another member earlier this spring.... It's at the paint shop right now actually. Group buy Looks like a great deal though with paint included!

[a4_matt]

It's pretty impressive that the weave is still visible... Looks OEM.

was thinking the same thing! Looking real good @avantagg

[avantagg]

Fun little update from my garage which at the moment is basically a make shift paint shop. (The wife is absolutely thrilled).

Headliner dye experiment is almost complete. This thing really soaked up the stuff. I switched to a foam roller after the first coat because you really need to work the dye-na-flow into the spongy headliner material for a decent finish. Also started applying some heat with a hair dryer to help it cure faster and more evenly. I think the 5th coat should help smooth out the black and hopefully it will have a nice streak free finish. (This stuff is deceiving when wet, it dries much lighter). Glad I bought the gallon!







Now onto the pillars: dye-NA-flow won't work. It's meant for fabric and these parts are hard plastic with a textured cloth veneer.



So after a failed attempt with that, I tested some duplicolor flat black carpet and vinyl paint on a few pieces and I think it came out great. These will need a lot of light coats for a good finish. It dries a little harder than the dye, but the texture of the pillar fabric is still very much in tact. I will move onto the rest of the pillars next week and try the plastic grab handles and visors as well.













Hard to believe this all started with an eBay auction gone sour, but thank you seller who shall remain anonymous for forcing me to find some alternatives.

I'm fairly confident that I will have an almost complete avant black headliner set available for sale once I'm finished.

[johnnySV]

amazing. stoke factor is high on this project!


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[ECDT]

Might be interested that way I could swap yours right into mine without any downtime and then do the same to my grey interior and sell to the next person wanting to do the same lol.


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[avantagg]

Might be interested that way I could swap yours right into mine without any downtime and then do the same to my grey interior and sell to the next person wanting to do the same lol.


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Sure! Shoot me a PM. Here's a few teaser shots. Almost done!

[bakedziti]

Looking better every day

[Killerboots]

AWESOME! Good stuff!

[avantagg]

Sprayed some more parts and got a wash and a wax in this afternoon. Liking this new wax! Exterior pics only until this damn headliner is finished :)

[pierreb]

nice work man! I have a red a4 avant s-line (snwdrft) with black interior and I love it. I did the 3G+ MMI upgrade in it last week if you're interested in pointers. I'm going to take the plunge on LED tails soon.

[ECDT]

nice work man! I have a red a4 avant s-line (snwdrft) with black interior and I love it. I did the 3G+ MMI upgrade in it last week if you're interested in pointers. I'm going to take the plunge on LED tails soon.

Been looking at post fl tail lights myself and was close to getting these a few times. Once you exclude the vat and add shipping it's just under $700

https://www.kufatec.de/shop/en/audi/...avant-facelift

[avantagg]

nice work man! I have a red a4 avant s-line (snwdrft) with black interior and I love it. I did the 3G+ MMI upgrade in it last week if you're interested in pointers. I'm going to take the plunge on LED tails soon.

Thanks! I've been following that 3G+ thread and think this might have to happen at some point!

Been looking at post fl tail lights myself and was close to getting these a few times. Once you exclude the vat and add shipping it's just under $700

https://www.kufatec.de/shop/en/audi/...avant-facelift

I love this update. By far my favorite exterior mod so far. If you are up to it you can build your own harness and do the coding yourself or find a with friend VAG com. These lamps often come up on eBay.de. I followed this How-To and was very happy with the outcome:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...aillight-howto

[ECDT]

Thanks! I've been following that 3G+ thread and think this might have to happen at some point!



I love this update. By far my favorite exterior mod so far. If you are up to it you can build your own harness and do the coding yourself or find a with friend VAG com. These lamps often come up on eBay.de. I followed this How-To and was very happy with the outcome:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...aillight-howto

Yeah I am on .co.uk and .de all the time and even quoted one of your post on that tail light upgrade topic from ages ago. I do have a vag com so can code myself but find myself always getting ahead of my mod plans when opportunities come up " like the apr intake and eurocode hose " combo that I got for too cheap not to buy even though I am pretty sure I will not like the added noise. In the spring I will either be changing my car to nardo or nogaro since I don't have the balls to go Merlin purple so I will want to do my tail lights and headlights at the same time. I still plan to get wheels this year unless I decide to continue on upgrading the interior with the black headliner and rs5 mmi/nav controls since I am in the process of getting my trim painted piano and gonna order the a5 speedo trim " thanks again for that "

Too many things I want to do and too hard to stick with a plan, good thing unlimited overtime is only a few weeks away.


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[avantagg]

I am in the process of getting my trim painted piano and gonna order the a5 speedo trim " thanks again for that "

Too many things I want to do and too hard to stick with a plan, good thing unlimited overtime is only a few weeks away.


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Nice, you will love the look of the A5 cluster, especially with the piano black trim. Sounds like you have some good plans for your avant. Looking forward to seeing what you do with it!

[pierreb]

Also, the new 3G+ MMI have a piano finish FYI...;)

[pierreb]

Here's what my center console looks like now

[pierreb]

Whats the part number of airbag you used for your wheel? I have the same wheel but missing the airbag..

Actually looking for the same wheel. What's the part #? Thanks

[avantagg]

Actually looking for the same wheel. What's the part #? Thanks

No prob. 8K0880201AE

[avantagg]

Silver to black complete!

[jmeenach]

When does it all go in??


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