audi, install guide07.13.2010

Lately I’ve had some customers have some trouble removing the front ashtray covers on their B6/B7 Audis, so I figured I would write up a little guide.  I think people tend to over complicate this step of the trim removal when it is actually quite simple.  Before we start, let me stress that you do not need to remove the whole ashtray from the car to remove the ashtray cover.  I have just done that for this guide because it will make it much easier to photograph.

B6/B7 Front Ashtray Cover Removal

Tools needed:

• Strong thumbs

Time required: 60 seconds

Difficulty: Super easy

First we will start with the rear ashtray because it works on the same principle as the front ashtray, but you can actually see the bottom of it.

Both ashtray covers have these pegs in them (the front ashtray has 3 of them, the rear ashtray has 2 of them).  Both lids have teeth that grasp the pegs and hold them in place.

On the rear ashtray you have to slide the cover forward while lifting up the tab.  This will unhook the teeth from the pegs and set the cover free.

Here you see the rear ashtray off of the lid.  The front ashtray bottom looks almost identical.

On to the front ashtray.  With the ashtray open, you can see the separation of the lid and the cover.  The goal is to use your thumbs on the lid to push it inward and use your fingers on the ashtray cover to slide it forward in the opposite direction.

So grip the ashtray like this (use both hands, I could only use one because I needed the other to take the picture) and move your thumbs in and pull your fingers towards you.

If you’ve done it correctly, you’ll free the pegs on the ashtray cover from the teeth on the lid.

Close the ashtray, and you should be able to just pull it straight up and out.

With the ashtray cover off, you can see the pegs and the teeth.

One last picture for reference: a lot of people assume they are removing the whole top of the ashtray, but as you can see from this image, that isn’t the case.  The lid that opens and closes remains connected to the ashtray assembly, you are just removing the decorative cover.

audi06.25.2010

B8 A4/S4 Trim Removal Guide

Tools needed:

• Flathead screwdriver
• Hook tool
• Socket set
• Hex keys

Time required: 1 hour

Difficulty: Moderate

Start with the door pieces.  Using your screwdriver, gently wedge it between the door and the trim and slowly pry the tabs free.  Start at the rear of the piece, working your way towards the doorhandles.

To reinstall the door pieces, stick the end with the two teeth back into place.  Guide them into the door handle plastic.

Work your way to the rear of the piece, pushing back each tab into place before moving onto the next one.

Be mindful of the hook tab on the rear of the piece.

The dash piece is the easiest piece, using screwdriver like you did on the door pieces, pop out the three tabs.  Reinstallation is just as easy.

Now comes the fun part.  The center console seems difficult, but it is just time consuming.  If you take your time and do it slowly it will be a breeze.

Start with your hook tool and wedge it under the climate control unit.  Carefully pull this edge free.

Once you get this edge free, do the same on the other side.

Now pull the climate control unit free.

Set the unit off to the side.

Next, press your finger onto the tab located here, and use a pry tool to work the shifter surround up.

Do the same on the other side.

Slowly and carefully work your way down the shifter until it’s free.

Lift it up until you expose the two screws that hold the ashtray in place.

Remove them with the socket wrench and pull the ashtray up and out.

Up next are the screws that hold the center console in place.   Be sure to get the screw on the drivers side as well.

Life up the shifter surround.

Now get the screws at the base of the shifter piece.  Again, there is one on each side.

Move to the backseat and wedge the screwdriver to pry off the rear vent cover.

Pop off this clip on the right side of the vent.

There is a screw on the opposite side of the clip that needs to be removed.

There are also two screws in the top of the vent that need to be removed as well.

The lower ashtray can be pried off next.

This exposes two screws at the base of the console that need to be removed.

Pull off the base of the armrest.

Remove the two hex screws and pull the armrest free.

Lift up the console.

Last but not least, once the console is off, flip it over.  All you have to do now is remove the final 8 hex screws.

That is it.  Seems a lot harder than it is.  Do the exact same thing in reverse and your interior will be back together in no time.

audi, carbon fiber06.18.2010

I’ve been anxious to see what this setup would look like for a while now, so I was happy to finally get some decent photos.  I think it fits pretty well with the two tone interior and adds a nice contrast.

Rest of the gallery can be found here: Barry’s A4.

audi, carbon fiber06.14.2010

Got the C6 A6 shifter back together again.  It was much more challenging than I had anticipated, but now that it is finally done

The two ashtray covers.

Two side blades.

Shifter frame.

First the side blades are attached.

Then the ashtray covers are attached.

And finally, after a bunch of tiny screws, the shifter is all set to go.

audi, carbon fiber06.13.2010

Lots of progress on the B8 vent and MMI pieces.  These will be getting sent out on Monday so hopefully we’ll have some installed pictures shortly.

Before we start, the black pieces are for the B8 A4/S4 and are done in a 11oz 2×2 twill.  The red pieces are for a B8 A5/S5 and are done in a 6oz 2×2 twill red carbon/kevlar hybrid.

About a week ago after the resin had cured.  Still a lot of work needed to be done to get these pieces looking good.

An hour or so with the Dremel and all the excess fiber is trimmed and grinded off the pieces.

These pieces are clearcoated and wetsanded.  I tend to do multiple coats of clearcoat, allow it to cure, wetsand, then more clearcoat.  I feel as this really enhances the overall look of the higher end pieces and gives them stunning depth.

After the second round of clearcoat, the pieces look great.

Couple of close up detail shots around the curves.  These pieces are extremely difficult to wrap because of how complex they are.  It usually takes multiple attempts to get it right.

The same pieces in red for the B8 A5/S5.  The pieces are very similar, but have some subtle differences.

More detail shots.

Finally we have the shifter pieces.  I’ll get these wrapped up and out to their respective owners in the next few days.  Can’t wait to see how the vent and MMI pieces look with the rest of the set.