Possible solution to the ugly "Bone China" trim

Does anyone know if or how the center steering wheel piece comes off ?
If it comes off, it looks easy to vinyl wrap

 

good idea.

 

I wish I could give this 20 likes!

First, ATHiker is right, the third piece shown on that eBay page is for the rest of the center console, not the steering wheel.

Second, putting appliques (or upholstery, or whatever) on the center console is one thing, but I'd be loathe to "stick" anything on any part of the steering wheel. It obviously gets moved/handled a lot more (duh), and the consequences of something slipping/popping loose at the wrong time might be catastrophic. Anyway, while a bit unusual looking, the black/white steering wheel is nothing like the offense to the eye created by the central bathroom fixture.

 

Personally the black applique (with white accents showing here and there) really appeals to me. Perhaps having a white car plays a role in my perception.

But if one were to move past the colors, I wonder how many would agree that the quality and fit of the applique pieces is astounding. Everyone? IMO, the way the edges mate with the dash, interior elements, and the oh-so-maligned white piece is perfection.

There are no gaps, sections that stand oddly proud, or other indications the applique was a hack. It is heavy enough that I don't see it separating or delaminating.

To think this was designed late in the game and looks to install with double-sided tape is crazy.

I hope the person who designed it get promoted!

 

What about the guy who came up with white porcelain? I mean, he made this all possible, lol.

 

getting dark under that rock?

 

Well yeah.., and it's a bridge, dammit.

 

Good point. And you know, on another level, it's really inspiring to think how he manages to design car interiors with such a severe visual impairment.

 

I have black center console which is good but why "white China bone"shift lever area? on a metallic gray exterior?

 

Odd as the porcelain white center console is on the Three/Four, when it's gone it makes the shift area white on the Two seem even weirder. But not to worry, vince22 - there's a "shifter only" applique that will overlay that with glossy black to match the rest of the dashboard - it looks really good.

Overall, the applique set (either version) is a pretty good fix for this aesthetic misstep. It's a popular factory option judging from what I've seen on the lots. I've read observations from some that it looks pretty good with white cars, but I saw it with different interior/exterior combinations and I thought it looked good across the board. The white "highlights" in the appliqued console coordinate nicely with the steering wheel, while the glossy black finish looks like a continuation of the dashboard, especially with the shifter area appliqued to bridge the two. The overall effect comes closer to the high-tech vibe that the designers claim they were shooting for than the ridiculous porcelain monstrosity they actually delivered (I'm sorry, I just really didn't like this when I saw it in person).

Folks can now have it either way without too much fuss, though I'll admit asking customers to pay $300 for what amounts to correcting Toyota's screw-up feels more than a little abusive. $150 wouldn't exactly be fair, but at least it wouldn't seem outrageous. It's expensive enough that I'm skipping it for now just in case the "bone white" look grows on us (it's more my wife's car than mine in the end), or at least grates less than on first impressions. I'm also hoping that waiting may yield some third party options that I might prefer to swathes of glossy black plastic that I'm sure will need lots of dusting/wiping to stay neat-looking.

 

I'm with you 100%

 

Mine will arrive on Monday. I already installed the shifter appliqué. They aren't solid black, but have a metallic finish same as the dash. Here are the instructions for installation if anyone needs them.

 

I stopped at dealer on the way home and it looks like a bidet between the seats with dark interior. What were they thinking?

 

Perhaps they are more relaxed about the colour scheme. The Japanese have some very advanced toilets, I believe

 

I installed all 3 pieces today. Was pretty easy to do. Thanks for the instructions PeterKG!!

 

+1 on that. I also installed the 3 piece set with the same instructions. Went well, took about 1/2 hour.

 

I've installed mine. For those who will put the appliqué in, be careful not to let the appliqué bend at any point around the top edge. Somehow I did, and now have a dimple that is there for good where the plastic bent. I'm very happy with the look of the appliqué, and I like where the white peeks out around the cup holders, charging station, etc.

 

Hmm... I must be in the minority of folks for whom the "bone china" look doesn't actually bother me that much. I agree that an all-black dash is more attractive, and I was fortunate to get a Three with the black applique kit applied without paying extra for it. That takes care of most of the white. But even if I hadn't been able to get that, I would have lived with it just fine.

 

One of my friends claim he opened up a few permanent magic marker pens, retained the "ink" and applied it to the white - took 3 coats to make it solid . Claims it is really nice. Gota see this - will take some picturesappliqué kit on eBay from a Toyota dealer for $180.00 !