Deleting convertible sun visors

[partytron69000]

I'm working on cleaning up my vert interior and am trying to come up with a good solution to delete my sun visors. I'd like for the overhead trim piece to just be smooth all the way across.

My first thought was to get a hold of a spare set of visors and clips, remove the visor arm from the base, and modify the base and clip to sit flush with the trim. I'm not quite sure how flush I could actually get it, not to mention what shape the plastic base/clip would be in after cutting it down. I'm not aware of any way to fill the gaps with plastic and repaint the trim without it looking terrible.

The second idea I had was to just remove the base/clips entirely and cover the entire overhead trim with a 3m style vinyl. The only issue I see with that is matching the vinyl to the existing plastic trim since the trim is textured.

Anyone done something similar to this before or have any ideas? Thanks.

[Cash]

I think miata guys do this. Google miata sunvisor delete. Maybe you can get some ideas.

[zerodameaon]

Unless you are good at repairing the plastic I suggest you just don't touch it. Those trim pieces have a tendency to crumble the second you take off the sun visors.

[Kuma]

Originally Posted by partytron69000

The second idea I had was to just remove the base/clips entirely and cover the entire overhead trim with a 3m style vinyl. The only issue I see with that is matching the vinyl to the existing plastic trim since the trim is textured.

Do this, sort of.... Instead of using a vinyl you would wrap a car with, go to a trim supply place and find an upholstery vinyl that matches your trim. They have tons of different textures and shades out there. Then use an adhesive to attach it. I usually use 3M 90 spray adhesive.
It looks like this...


If the trim piece is brittle, you can also use a little fiberglass to reinforce it before wrapping. Just be careful, because wrapping it in vinyl is already going to make the piece fit tighter when it goes back on, so don't build up the edges too much unless it is cracking or looks like it could crack when you wrap it.

[PureStyler]

I deleted the sun visors in my vert using sun visor delete plates from my old Miata I had bought off clubroadster. They fit the indented plastic shape almost perfectly but you will have to open up the holes a bit. Cleaned up my interior a lot. Hope this helps!

[partytron69000]

Originally Posted by zerodameaon

Unless you are good at repairing the plastic I suggest you just don't touch it. Those trim pieces have a tendency to crumble the second you take off the sun visors.

Well, that was the idea behind the vinyl. Even if things start falling apart, the vinyl can hold it together.

[partytron69000]

Originally Posted by PureStyler

I deleted the sun visors in my vert using sun visor delete plates from my old Miata I had bought off clubroadster. They fit the indented plastic shape almost perfectly but you will have to open up the holes a bit. Cleaned up my interior a lot. Hope this helps!

Did you modify the clip that the sun visors snap into? Those deleting plates look like a much simpler idea than either of the two I had, but it only cleans up 1 of the 2 attach points.

[PureStyler]

I just left the clips in place and removed the visor !

[Bullitt_180sx]

Just fill the holes you don't want with body filler, sand smooth, and wrap the whole piece with black marine grade vinyl fabric.

[partytron69000]

I think at this point, the most simple and effective route is to modify some miata delete plates and then trim the clip down and try to clean it up. I'll post some pictures of it after I'm done if anyone cares.

[5280VertDET]

Depending on condition, I would just wrap it in felt or suede or something.

Keep in mind that trim is very fragile and impossible to find.

[zerodameaon]

Originally Posted by partytron69000

Well, that was the idea behind the vinyl. Even if things start falling apart, the vinyl can hold it together.

This stuff literally crumbles into pieces no larger then course sand. Doing vinyl over open holes will cause other issues.

[partytron69000]

Originally Posted by 5280VertDET

Depending on condition, I would just wrap it in felt or suede or something.

Keep in mind that trim is very fragile and impossible to find.

Well, the trim already has a few cracks in it at this point. But because of this whole process, I did come across a method that I think may work to repair the impossible to find vert trim.

SEM makes a grain pad that is used for matching textured trim pieces when you're repainting, as well as color matched trim paint. Now, the idea to fix the cracked or broken plastic would be to use the epoxy/fiberglass/plastic welding method to reconnect broken parts. Then take a heat gun and heat the trim until it's pliable enough to mold to pressure, and press the grain pad into the plastic to match the texture. Then take the trim paint and spray the now textured plastic.

I'll give credit to this person who sparked the idea. http://removeandreplace.com/2014/08/...erior-plastic/

Grain pad - http://repaintsupply.com/sem-70022-i...ads-p3657.html

[zerodameaon]

Interesting, good find.

[partytron69000]

So I ended up getting Miata sun visor blanking plates from Moss Miata http://www.mossmiata.com/Shop/ViewPr...1&SortOrder=50

I had to trim down the outside edges just a bit for it to sit flush, as well as open up the screw holes a bit as well.

For the latches, I used a hack saw to cut off the majority of the latch, and trimmed/sanded the rest as smooth as possible. Then I repainted to the now smooth latch to match the blanking plates. It's definitely not the best fabrication I've ever seen, but it serves its purpose.

As a word of caution, the plastic is VERY thin on the latches, and I got dangerously close to sanding completely through it.

Overall, it's not hideous and better than stock and took about 20 minutes of work.

[Konster]

Why the hell would you do that? I installed S15 visors in my Vert.

Sweet baybay Jaysuz that looks bad.

[partytron69000]

Originally Posted by Konster

Why the hell would you do that? I installed S15 visors in my Vert.

Sweet baybay Jaysuz that looks bad.

Yeah, i'm not crazy about it either, but the sun visors had to go. I saved the visors and bought some extra latches before I started, so I can go back to stock if need be. I would rather have someone 3D print some latch blanks instead. That would look much better.

[Konster]

Just go back to stock visors dude.

[partytron69000]

Originally Posted by Konster

Just go back to stock visors dude.

Naw, I'm good. Thanks though.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

[Konster]

Cool, good luck.