Radio removal | Now: Interior moding-Cleaning (Pics inside)

[jackyaudi]

I was searching about removing the ashtray since I am going to paint its cover. Now I found that I have to remove the radio and CC first.

As far as the radio goes, do I absolutely have to get the removal "keys"? Will the dealer sell them to me? Is there any other ways I can remove the radio without them, for example by pulling through the cassette?

Thanks.

[FourRings80]

Here you go hope it helps

http://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/815098.phtml

[FourRings80]

The radio keys are not too expensive:

http://enfigcarstereo.com/shopsite_s...l/86_9001.html

http://enfigcarstereo.com/shopsite_s...ND_42_002.html

I can only imagine how much the dealer would sell these.

[jackyaudi]

Thanks for the links. I have the ashtray half way in/half way out, seems like terrible to remove, am guessing my only option is to remove the Radio then CC.

Worst case I will buy those radio removal keys, but I have to find them in Montreal, or with cheap shipping. On the site you gave me, shipping for those $15 keys was $27 on that site. And those things weights like almost NOTHING lol

[3ohAvant]

if there is a "cool" dealer around you, pop into the service bay, have a tech come out, and help you pop it out. then tip him a 6 pack of beer. it should literally not take them more than 45 seconds.

also, most car audio/big electronics store will have them in their car stereo install bays. talk to one of the guys there, and tip them the same.

[jackyaudi]

Alright, I asked one of the garages I deal with for the Radio keys, and they were nice enough to do it, took 10 seconds to remove the radio :)

I will get the keys from ebay or some other site, but at least I wont have to wait for them.

Right now, its all out:

[kwimberly]

Damn - I need some of those keys - mine only take out the radio! j/k

[jackyaudi]

Update #1:

Ok, I started with painting the rear ashtray as a test, original color was metallic, full of scratches and dirt. Decided to go with Universal black for now, here is the end result (what you see are the reflections of my face and lights):







What do you guys think? Should I proceed with the front ashtray and the piece surrounding the gearbox? Both are currently metallic as well...

[jackyaudi]

Here is the Climate Control unit after cleaning it and carefully "coloring" with a black marker around the + and - buttons so that at night I only see the + - clearly without those annoying small scratches surrounding them. Turned out very good:





And here is the radio, was very easy to clean:

[michgo]

What are you planning on "molding" ?

[B6Lovin]

if there is a "cool" dealer around you, pop into the service bay, have a tech come out, and help you pop it out. then tip him a 6 pack of beer. it should literally not take them more than 45 seconds.

also, most car audio/big electronics store will have them in their car stereo install bays. talk to one of the guys there, and tip them the same.

benny, if you're tipping a 6 pack for shit like that - i will do ANYTHING you want to your car as long as you pay me proportionally.

[3ohAvant]

benny, if you're tipping a 6 pack for shit like that - i will do ANYTHING you want to your car as long as you pay me proportionally.

HAHAHA : )

I guess I'm a generous tipper, but hey, i figure those guys work way harder than me, and deserve a lil something something. And later, they will take care of me when I take my car back in for something real.

[dougyfresh]

The ash tray was originally silver fish-scale? I hope you're putting a good clearcoat on that paint otherwise it'll scratch off with the first rub of putting something on it.

[absolutegtr]

Black trim on beige interior is the shizznit.

It looks like junk though, because you still have the fishscale texture underneath the paint....unless thats what you want.

If you dont, just take some acetone to the trim and that fishscale junk will wipe right off.

Heres my trim....cell phone pic, but the trim is very nice and glossy.

Also make sure you use polishing compound after you clear coat and after it dries....that stuff works wonders

[LampyB]

^^damn that does look good. you should get either a black shift boot, knob, or both and it would look tits Sami.

edit, on second thought maybe just the knob.