ArthouseCompany Posted August 21, 2017 Report Share Posted August 21, 2017 (edited) Hi guys. I'm planning to replace the stock air vents of my Exige (first photo) with the nicer ones from Lotus Europa/Evora, Tesla Roadster, Hennessy Venom and Alfa 146/156/166/4C. It's always the same Alfa air vent, just with a chrome surrounding (photo 2 and 4). 1. Is there any easy way to unlock and pull them out, hopefully without removing the whole dashboard ? It seems this are two parts. Maybe only remove the front part ? 2. Alternativ: Anyone knows a maker of self-adhesive covers (aluminum, chrome or carbon) for Elise or Exige ? TIA Peter Edited August 21, 2017 by ArthouseCompany Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crouchy Posted August 21, 2017 Report Share Posted August 21, 2017 I know that mine come out if I give them a small pull. Found that out when I tried to remove the phone holder and the whole thing came with it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArthouseCompany Posted August 22, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2017 I'm not sure if this will work because of this plastic brackets on each side. I don't want to break anything. Did everything came out or only the front part ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArthouseCompany Posted August 22, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2017 (edited) Okay, I was just to carefully, I just turned it a little bit and pulled a little bit harder and the complete part came out. And nothing's broken Thanks ! Edited August 22, 2017 by ArthouseCompany 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkSol Posted August 22, 2017 Report Share Posted August 22, 2017 And it looks like this when you're done 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArthouseCompany Posted August 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2017 just ordered a set of used Alfa chrome air vents in good condition for 50 euros. will post the final result here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartynB Posted August 23, 2017 Report Share Posted August 23, 2017 I can't help thinking that a slight brushed effect rather than the straight chrome would suit better. To that end, you could run a bit of steel wool or scotchbrite over the chrome coating. I had chrome rings on an MX-5 a while back and they kept glinting in the sun which got annoying. YMMV 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArthouseCompany Posted August 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2017 (edited) I agree that a brushed or matte aluminum bezel would look even better in a Lotus. But can't find anything suitable for our cars. I was also thinking about painting the bezels glossy black.... Edited August 23, 2017 by ArthouseCompany Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartynB Posted August 23, 2017 Report Share Posted August 23, 2017 No worries. If you follow my instructions you'll be able to convert the chrome finish to a brushed one, with the lightest touch of abrasive. By the looks of the design, you'll have plenty of hidden area around the circumference to test out the brushing. Just try light passes, so as to not rub through the chrome layer and you'll be fine. Remember brushed metal is just metal with scratches on. These chrome finishes are usually deposited metal, so will take a light mechanical surface finish just fine. Hey, it might even be a real metal ring. Hard to tell from the photos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArthouseCompany Posted August 24, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2017 (edited) Okay, I got the air vents today. They arn't but look nearly like new and fit perfectly. The chrom surrounding is a chromed plastic ring but harmonizes perfectly with my leather dashboard. I had some trouble to pull out the two middle air vents but they finally gave up. I like the look. If you order used alfa air vents from eBay be carefully, there are many with scratches and peeled off chrome rings. Edited August 24, 2017 by ArthouseCompany Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bravo73 Posted August 24, 2017 Report Share Posted August 24, 2017 15 minutes ago, ArthouseCompany said: Unfortunately this crappy forum only allows me to upload 0,05MB ! for pictures. Even URL upload doesnt work. So sorry no pictures. If you buy a 'Full Forum Membership' (FFM), you can upload lots more pictures at much larger sizes: https://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/store/category/2-subscriptions/ (So, who's the 'crappy' one now?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArthouseCompany Posted August 24, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2017 (edited) 59 minutes ago, Bravo73 said: If you buy a 'Full Forum Membership' (FFM), you can upload lots more pictures at much larger sizes: https://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/store/category/2-subscriptions/ (So, who's the 'crappy' one now?) ahh, okay, sorry, already deleted this and did't know that and URL works now. Edited August 24, 2017 by ArthouseCompany Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Banks Posted August 25, 2017 Report Share Posted August 25, 2017 On 23/08/2017 at 06:56, darkSol said: And it looks like this when you're done What seats are those? Quote 2015 Orange Exige V6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkSol Posted August 25, 2017 Report Share Posted August 25, 2017 Steve, those are Composite Worx seats (no longer in business AFAIK). I had custom leather inserts made (Bugatti Veyron pattern) because the Alcantara bits that came with the seats turned brown within six months. Hope this helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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