2003 6MT coupe interior refresh
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 31
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From: Phoenix, AZ
2003 6MT coupe interior refresh
Well, I just finished a project that I've been working on for months now. It required me to park my G for almost 4 months which really sucked because it is also my daily driver, but the results in the end are worth it:
Passenger Door
Driver Door
Door latch/lock with new color
New microsuede with double orange stitch
Interior/center console
Reverse side of the center console. The trim ring is covered in 100% pure copper leaf as are the trim rings around the speakers in the door panels
The process from start to finish took about 4 months. I had the upholstery work done here in Arizona by Arizona Correctional Institute - it was actually done by inmates. It takes a little bit more time, but the price can't be beat - entire seat was taken down, all new foam applied, new microsuede on the bolsters with double orange stitch, microsuede on the door panels behind the door pull in a matching color to the headliner. Total costs were below $350 and that included the cost for material. If you are a resident of Arizona, look them up! The shift boot was purchased from G35driver.com member 'locksmithy' and it is absolutely friggin PERFECT - leather with orange stitching. The folks at ACI even recovered my Nismo shift **** with leather and an orange thread to keep the details going.
I did the trim myself.... I took the silver plastic trim off of the door (door pulls and door latch/lock), the sliver 'bars' between the upper and lower part of the dash, the center console over the radio and the trim around the shift boot. I hand sanded it all down using 300 grit to prepare surface for paint. I put a couple of coats of primer on it followed by Duplicolor Metal Flakes Orange paint. I wet sanded the first coat, but didn't sand the second to keep the metallic flake sparkly. On top of that went Duplicolor EFX pearl then a couple solid coats of clear. I sanded the clear by hand with 1200, 1500, then 3000 followed by a polishing of 105 and 205 to really bring out the shine. Looks nice and shiny but doesn't distract while driving.
After a few minor issues - the lift motor on the drivers door died just AFTER I finished installing the door panel
- I finally got it all done. Only one little step left - put the floor mats back in place. I shampooed them and they aren't dry just yet. Tonight I should be able to finish that off then I think I'll drive up to Sedona just to get out of the valley for a little while.
Anyhow - thought I'd post some pics of my last project in hopes of inspiring someone else. All in all not too challenging, just VERY time consuming on the final sanding/polishing steps.... seemed like I was sanding for WEEKS! Enjoy!!
Passenger Door
Driver Door
Door latch/lock with new color
New microsuede with double orange stitch
Interior/center console
Reverse side of the center console. The trim ring is covered in 100% pure copper leaf as are the trim rings around the speakers in the door panels
The process from start to finish took about 4 months. I had the upholstery work done here in Arizona by Arizona Correctional Institute - it was actually done by inmates. It takes a little bit more time, but the price can't be beat - entire seat was taken down, all new foam applied, new microsuede on the bolsters with double orange stitch, microsuede on the door panels behind the door pull in a matching color to the headliner. Total costs were below $350 and that included the cost for material. If you are a resident of Arizona, look them up! The shift boot was purchased from G35driver.com member 'locksmithy' and it is absolutely friggin PERFECT - leather with orange stitching. The folks at ACI even recovered my Nismo shift **** with leather and an orange thread to keep the details going.
I did the trim myself.... I took the silver plastic trim off of the door (door pulls and door latch/lock), the sliver 'bars' between the upper and lower part of the dash, the center console over the radio and the trim around the shift boot. I hand sanded it all down using 300 grit to prepare surface for paint. I put a couple of coats of primer on it followed by Duplicolor Metal Flakes Orange paint. I wet sanded the first coat, but didn't sand the second to keep the metallic flake sparkly. On top of that went Duplicolor EFX pearl then a couple solid coats of clear. I sanded the clear by hand with 1200, 1500, then 3000 followed by a polishing of 105 and 205 to really bring out the shine. Looks nice and shiny but doesn't distract while driving.
After a few minor issues - the lift motor on the drivers door died just AFTER I finished installing the door panel
- I finally got it all done. Only one little step left - put the floor mats back in place. I shampooed them and they aren't dry just yet. Tonight I should be able to finish that off then I think I'll drive up to Sedona just to get out of the valley for a little while.Anyhow - thought I'd post some pics of my last project in hopes of inspiring someone else. All in all not too challenging, just VERY time consuming on the final sanding/polishing steps.... seemed like I was sanding for WEEKS! Enjoy!!
Paint the steering wheel plastic pieces too
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Registered User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 31
Likes: 1
From: Phoenix, AZ
Yeah - that was the original plan but taking those pieces out is a ROYAL pain and there is the possibility of ruining the airbag. I'm going to recover the steering wheel with new leather and the orange stitching and when I do, I'll ship the wheel out. While it is out I'll have the company send me the trim for paint.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,985
Likes: 156
From: Rochester NY
I don't like the color scheme. I think colored pieces ONLY work if they match your exterior and even then, I don't really LIKE them. That said, everything looks really clean and well done and it looks like you put in the time and effort to do it right. So that, I commend. And it is definitely cool to see a refresh on the platform that we all seem to love. Overall, kudos to you man.
