2001 E39 540i wood trim restoration/upgrade, let me know what you all think:

[beaubrant]

Hello-
I have a 2001 E39, Sport and decided I didn't care for the light wood..it made the car look old and outdated. I do like wood, and decided to update the car. I took the center console out, wood panels off the doors and dash inserts. I went to home depot, bought 500 grit sandpaper, 1000 grit sand paper, 3000 grit sand paper, minwax ebony wood stain, 2 cans of polyurethane spray and a sponge applicator brush for the stain.... and here we go. The project took about a week, some labor but quite pleasant and fantastic results. I know there have been many posts in the past on this, mostly on painting the wood..but I think I am the first to recolor the wood??

1. I sanded the wood panels down with the 500 grit almost to the wood layer..takes some time and a mess of dust :-)
I then took the 1000 grit and finely got to the wood layer. I then took apart the center console (mine is a 6 sped..so easier), took the ash tray apart, took the wood off of the base...mush easier to work with. Same process as above.... Once here..I cleaned the wood with dish soap and water...let air dry overnight.

2. I applied the ebony stain in two coats, let dry for 24 hours and very happy with the color..was a black/brown color...very beautiful. Once completely dry (waited 30 hours), I lightly sanded the imperfections out with the 3000 grit paper. I washed off, and did my painting in the garage (cars outside for over spray) on a cardboard box and doors shut so its dust free. I painted each peace with the polyurethane, going light the first time, and then second coat was thicker to give a shiny, non-orange peel finish. I put my convection over on 175 F and baked each piece for 20 minutes to help seal/harden the process. Once this dried for 2 days, I then took the 3000 grit and sanded out all the imperfections. I then did a final coat of clear, and once again used the 3000 grit wet after it had dried for 2 more days. I then took a small buffer with 3M polishing compound and like magic it looked like the factory finish and perfect.
I have before and after pics and the car looks fantastic..polyurethane is very tough, scratch resistant and this whole project can be done for under $30.00...just time consuming. I also sanded my gear shift knob down and painted it to..so all the wood is dark, Let me know if you have any questions..ill show before and after pics. The pics with the flash came out lighter, in person they are very dark and more black than brown....smooth as glass, and better than new if you ask me.

Next project (call me cheap), I took my factory HID headlamps with the orange and decided to covert them to the euro look using the same lights.
1. I bought 1/8" silver pinstripe from a detail shop
2. Home depot Krylon Graphite Metallic Grey paint
3, black silicone RV sealant for the headlamp.

I took my HID headlamps off, took out the ballasts and all electric components. I put my over on 200 F and baked them for 15 minutes. I then took a knife, flat head and just pried open the end where the orange reflector lens is. I was able to carefuly remove the orange lens and take it out of the headlamp. This is tricky and takes some maneuvering, but not too difficult I took the orange lens and scuffed it with 3000 grit sandpaper..then sprayed both front and back with gray metallic paint. I then covered the back with electrical tape everywhere the orange light shines through the lens..just to make sure no light came through. After it dried overnight, I took the silver pinstripe and did 13 lines to match the euro OE reflector. It looks beautiful with the dark grey color behind the pinstripe. I then carefully inserted each silver part back into the headlamp, sealed it up with the UV silicone, put screws back together, popped it back in the oven for 10 minutes at 200F and good as new. I did several layers of silicon and sealed it up well. I have been through 3 car washes and so far no problems. Its crazy to do this, but I thin the results are great. Please comment, I wont be offended if you think it looks like crap. I am attaching a before and after shot of the old wood, I also added the gauge rings and went to white gauges.net and ordered a gray set of gauges for the car..very easy to install.

Hope these are some ideas you all can use?
Thanks!
Beau
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[dvsgene]

Nice. What about pictures of the headlights?

[blackxs]

I actually really like that. Props on an original way to update the trim

question... how did you do the shift knob?

[4500 RPM]

You did a good job with it.

[98 528i]

Nice work! Nice job on the headlights, I think you're one of the first to pull it off.

[rrcompton]

I know on some E39s their blinkers also function as their running lights too. Im assuming yours do, because once you paint over the amber reflector you loose the light from the 5th fiber optic cable thats is in the little oval spot towards the bottom of the reflector.

Looks great though man, the headlights and the stain, I also like the gauges.....VERY NICE JOB!!

[beaubrant]

thanks, glad you all approve. The flash made the wood look more brown, but its really black in daylight. Ive seen so many threads on this and wanted to make this work. I didnt want to cover the wood with paint, so this was my resolution. I scuffed the gear shift knob down a bit with 1000 grit and hand painted the stain on it..after 3 days it was good to go. I taped up the leather/plastic and just did a light clear coat on it. It all looks great and so far is very scratch resistant. Headlights..look good or bad? So far, had it at the local BMW shop and everyone thought they were euro lights...no one could tell the difference...until I showed them. it looks sharp, you get to keep the OEM and drop the nasty amber.
-Beau

Originally Posted by rrcompton

I know on some E39s their blinkers also function as their running lights too. Im assuming yours do, because once you paint over the amber reflector you loose the light from the 5th fiber optic cable thats is in the little oval spot towards the bottom of the reflector.

Looks great though man, the headlights and the stain, I also like the gauges.....VERY NICE JOB!!

This is why I covered up the lend on the inside..I don't want any orange light on..so now its only headlamps, angel eyes and turn signals only when I need them!

[rrcompton]

Originally Posted by beaubrant

This is why I covered up the lend on the inside..I don't want any orange light on..so now its only headlamps, angel eyes and turn signals only when I need them!

So you dont have any running lights up front?

[beaubrant]

you got it....all euro style..they dont have them in Europe either..im there 5 times a month. Its a very clean look in my opinon, what do you think? beautiful (RRcompton) ride by the way! you opened up your headlights too, right?

[dgz32]

Excellent work on the wood trim refinish!

[beaubrant]

Originally Posted by dgz32

Excellent work on the wood trim refinish!

thanks, glad you like it. Anyone else done any cool changing of trim lately..post pics!

[ganzibye]

very nice diy...

[e39dream]

there have been tons of folks who have opened their lights and replaced or painted the amber reflector- certainly not a first there.

My headlights are 01+ Hellas with depo corner lens salvaged from an unwanted pair of Depo brand e39 lights. Not trying to take anything away from the guy but it's not exactly a ground breaking discovery.

Nice 540i op, the trim turned out fantastic!