ProjectLex

We all know these are known to crack, and buying new ones could just result in the same outcome. I had an idea to wrap the garnish with something. I noticed some for sale somewhere and that person had re wrapped them. Has anyone tried to do something like this?

TT6SPDSC

Rewrapping them is fine and all, but it doesnt' solve the fact that the plastic is old and brittle. The plastic cracking is what causes the leather to tear. I would think if you were going to repair cracked ones then you should reinforce the backside of the entire piecs to try and keep it from cracking in a different spot.

That said, I just ordered new ones from Lexus a couple of days ago, should be here early next week. I figured the origonals lasted for roughly 10 years before cracking and now that my car mainly sits in my garage instead of the Cali sun they will probably last for at least as long as I need them to. Plus, I know not to pull on them to shut the door, etc...

lawrenceO

My trims had cracked, so I took them to an auto trimmer. He reinforced the old plastic and wrapped them in gray vinyl. HOW he did it I have no idea, but it looks like one piece of vinyl which has been heat-shrunk to fit in some way.

Four years later, still fine.

TT6SPDSC

What did it cost to have it done?

TheMole

iTrader: (13)

There is a soarer being parted out on ebay that has some kind of cover on that part: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Toyot...mZ170164190425

ProjectLex

Better yet, what's the best way to go about doing it? I've been thinking about trying something like this.

TT6SPDSC

My suggestion on how to do it would be pick up a 2 part epoxy like we use for repairing plastics in the body shop. Grind the backside of the plastic anywhere you can to get it good and roughed up for adhesion. Then put the epoxy on in thin layers, roughing up again between each one. A small amount of epoxy/filler work would need to be done to the top side as well, just to get it smooth where the crack was. Lastly, clean and glue on new vynl/leather while stretching and heating with heat gun.

I may give this a rip with my old ones as my SC4 needs a pair of these as well.

ProjectLex

Exactly what I was looking for, thanks. I imagine a write-up on this will benefit a lot of people since this is a common problem, replacing the trim is really not cheap, and the wrap looks better imo. The factory color of the garnish really doesn't match well.

I will be giving this a try this winter after the swap is done.

Does anyone else have ideas or has anyone done this before?

lawrenceO

It was about $100 Australian - no idea what it would cost you in the US.

JspecSC3

iTrader: (4)

Thats a pretty neat idea. I was always wondering the same thing. I always drive with the windows down and I sometimes rest my arm on the window and since my car rides a little bumpy it caused it to crack. Rewrapping would be an excellent idea. I wonder what would have to be done to reinforce the plastic and keep it from cracking in the future.

TT6SPDSC

See post 7.

Dx3

iTrader: (13)

I tried having this done locally a couple of years ago and I got some ridiculous quotes - $200+ for each side. When I can get them for $250 new I just decided to go with that approach

Jonny

TT6SPDSC

Where did you score them for $250 from? I've got a pretty good hookup and still paid $290 each. Even Champion Toyota wanted $350 each for them with the SF discount.

Anyhow, I got my new ones today, I'll try and get a quick pic up of them later tonight. Nothin better than brand new parts!!

TheMole

iTrader: (13)

$250? Thats a great price. Cheapest I see is $284 w/o shipping.

Dx3

iTrader: (13)

As I said - this was several years ago. The best I can get now is $283...

Jonny