Painted Y-Pipe & Shifter Surround

**S4 John** · 06-25-2008 12:14 PM

I still need to buff them with some rubbing compound. But, they came pretty good. They look perfect in direct sunlight (obviously). You can't tell in the pictures but, it is slightly darker in some spots. I am hoping maybe the rubbing compound will help that out a bit. Let me know what you guys think. I am thinking about sending the Y-Pipe in and have it painted imola.

**Das General** · 06-25-2008 12:17 PM

I like what you did with the waves crashing against the rocks. You got some rattle can skillz son.

**S4 John** · 06-25-2008 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by deb38

I like what you did with the waves crashing against the rocks. You got some rattle can skillz son.

lmao

**AudiSportB5S4** · 06-25-2008 12:26 PM

lol. looks good.... you did it in so many steps though lol. sounds like you did a lot of work. how long did it take to dry? like, can i do it this afternoon and slap it on tomorrow or probably NOT

**S4 John** · 06-25-2008 12:31 PM

well i did mine over a period of 2 days.

Day 1 - Sanded, primed, & paint
Day 2 - wet sanded, clear

Still need to buff it after the clear dries.

**GetAudiHere** · 06-25-2008 01:05 PM

Looks good! what kind of paint did you use for the shifter surround?

**S4 John** · 06-25-2008 02:17 PM

mocked up

shifter surround looks like crap. it is too glossy for the interior. i am just going to buy a new oem one.

**BlueturboS4** · 06-25-2008 11:56 PM

paint it silver, loved mine!!!

**dekkard** · 06-26-2008 11:32 AM

PM sent.

**BITRBO** · 06-26-2008 01:23 PM

That's quite a paint job on that Y-pipe, but something's gotta be done about the rest of that engine bay ; ) And did you use a semi-gloss black for the shifter cover or a flat black? It looks a little too dark/glossy in-place, but maybe the pics are deceiving.

GetAudiHere, I used either a flat black or semi-gloss from Autozone (I don't recall). I did use 3 or 4 coats, with some fine steel wool and 200grit wet sanding in between. It actually came out better than I'd hoped, and is almost an exact match with all of the dash buttons! I'll try to get the some photos if I can...

edit: I did the center cup holder too, which also came out great. The only PITA I'm struggling with now is that damn cigarette lighter... How the F@*$% do you get that damn thing out???

**Jung** · 06-26-2008 11:33 PM

i had my shifter surround and surround for the foglight/esp/drink holder painted the color of the car. I did it myself in an afternoon, had them on by sundown. Looked completely OEM and perfectly matched teh car. i could see my reflection in them. But I got sick of that look after 3 months, and last weekend, I resanded htem down using 220 grit, up through 2000 grit, the plastidip'd them. I painted that chrome surroudn for the shifter the color of hte car. it's a much more subdued/oem look and matches the sport trim interior better.
here is a pic of my setup right after i painted it silver: