Damaged carbon inlay, steering wheel trim

[dparm]

Just noticed that the silver trim around the carbon inlay on my driver's side door is chipped. The carbon itself is fine, it's the silver that has been damaged. I suspect the tint shop did this but I don't know. Replacing the whole piece seems stupid -- GAP quoted me $282 for it! Also, the previous owner was careless and scratched up the door handle. Looks like $90 to replace the assembly.

The silver trim in the center of the steering wheel is chipped too. I don't believe this is replaceable.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/TheGSRGuy/2011_audi_s4/IMG_6010.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/TheGSRGuy/2011_audi_s4/IMG_6024.jpg



My questions are:

1. Suggestions to fix the silver trim on the carbon inlay? Was thinking very fine sandpaper and a silver paint pen, or just mask off the carbon and respray all the silver.
2. How do I remove the door handle assembly?
3. Any way to mask or soften the steering wheel damage? Again was thinking something like 0000 steel wool to maintain the brushed look.

[NPuter]

Just noticed that the silver trim around the carbon inlay on my driver's side door is chipped. The carbon itself is fine, it's the silver that has been damaged. I suspect the tint shop did this but I don't know. Replacing the whole piece seems stupid -- GAP quoted me $282 for it! Also, the previous owner was careless and scratched up the door handle. Looks like $90 to replace the assembly.

The silver trim in the center of the steering wheel is chipped too. I don't believe this is replaceable.




My questions are:

1. Suggestions to fix the silver trim on the carbon inlay? Was thinking very fine sandpaper and a silver paint pen, or just mask off the carbon and respray all the silver.
2. How do I remove the door handle assembly?
3. Any way to mask or soften the steering wheel damage? Again was thinking something like 0000 steel wool to maintain the brushed look.

1. I would just flatten out the chip and not go any further... Trying to respray the silver would be a huge mistake. You would never be able to match the OEM finish - then you are left with a much larger eyesore. Don't drive yourself crazy over such a small chip.
2. There are a few DIYs on David's website - Audienthusiasts.com - I'm sure one will lead you in the right direction.
3. Again, just leave it. It is not a brushed finish - so going over it with steel wool will only scratch it and, again, leave you with a larger eyesore...

I have found that when you try to fix such minor imperfections, you are left with much larger ones...

[SASKCHAUCH]

Agreed, I am also super picky, but have learned the hard way to accept minor things and move on.

[dparm]

Question: do you think the tint guys removed the door panels? I know that the beltline trim has to come off to remove the doorcard. I wonder if they chipped it. When I see this picture from audienthusiast and then I look at where my mark is:


http://audienthusiasts.com/images/DSC_0010.JPG

[Maximum]

Question: do you think the tint guys removed the door panels? I know that the beltline trim has to come off to remove the doorcard. I wonder if they chipped it. When I see this picture from audienthusiast and then I look at where my mark is:


http://audienthusiasts.com/images/DSC_0010.JPG

I don't think the tint guys took off the door panels. At least they didn't with mine.

[VeryBadman]

I watched every single step when the tint guy did my car and no, he did not touch the trim at all. I think the ex-owner of your car was careless and did not take care his stuff very well.
Anyway, my suggestion is "Let it go". I had a similar experience trying to fix small thing like this but I ended up pay a lot more than I thought.