I'm looking for a "sporty" looking dash kit. I don't want any wood grain because I don't think it really fits the car that well. I was thinking something a little better than what was already there. Maybe carbon fiber, but I feel like that is over done. Maybe there is another choice that is something different.
Well, you could go brushed alumimum, but then that would look too similar to that "silver" trim. You could try going for this look, as seen on the Lexus IS-F, but I wouldn't know where to begin to source the material:
Yeah I really like whatever material texture that is, but like you said I have no idea where to get that. Also, I'm not sure what pattern that is. Maybe it's like a silver carbon fiber?
You can buy precut carbon fiber sticker kits for the Gen II Prius. However, the problem is it looks very tacky IMO. Since they don't wrap around the entire piece of panel or piece of plastic, you can totally tell it's just a sticker.
Yeah you are totally right about it looking tacky, and thats exactly what I don't want. I just don't know what to do to make the dash a little more interesting. Any other suggestions for any type of dash kit at all??
Why not cover the dash in the fabric of the uniform of your favorite sporting team? Wouldn't that look "sporty"?
If you are thinking about wrapping / changing the plastic parts, try 3M DiNoc vinyl wraps. I have seen this done to many cars and the results looks great. Can't really tell it's fake unless you are really looking. If you are trying to change the texture of the dash covering, you can get some custom microsuede/leather done by some companies online. Not cheap.
I've been using some of it. For polyproylene/polyethylene plastics, which is what most of the hard interior plastic in a Prius is, use 3M 94 Primer on all the edges and any areas that have residual tension on them that is trying to pull them lose from the surface. Like concave areas and places it had to be pressed into place as it was stretched to install it. The primer is about $20 delivered froom ebay for 1/2 pint but you use so little if you just do the edges and stretched areas that it will go a long ways, It does look good. It has a dry carbon fiber look to it, and is available in several colors. 3M also has a shiney version of CF textured vinyl now but I haven't seen it in person
