Possible solution to the ugly "Bone China" trim

I did'nt have to remove anything.

Be sure to clean and dry the attachment areas. Very important.

 

I can't believe you just said that, I'll never look at my steering wheel the same.

 

Today I quickly decided to remove the black appliqué. It just bothered me that I had this piece stuck on top of another piece. I kept the shifter appliqué on as well as the piece that is under the center console armrest/box. I'll see if I regret it later but for now will enjoy the metallic white console the came in my car.

 

I think you are over thinking the issue. When I am in my Gen 4 I can't see the a$$ end (can't see my own, either). So it's no issue. When I did see my first Gen 4 from the rear on the road I liked it.

 

The white plastic is one of the worst automotive decor decisions in history. I paid $200 for the shiny black plastic overlay which is almost as hideous, but NOT WHITE. It covers the shift lever plate and much of the console, though there's still plenty of white showing and ALL of the white on the steering wheel is still visible. I'm going to buy a can of semi-gloss black spray enamel and some masking tape and spray paint the white areas that remain. I did cut some black foam drink cozy's and stuffed those in the showing-white of the console cup holders. I'll put toll road coinage/bills in them along with small stuff like gold rings, neck chains and other jewelry I find along the roads.

 

I still can't believe somebody hasn't come up with something other than the black overlay.

 

Easier and cheaper to just complain.

If I had this decor issue (I don't) I'd be looking into the cost & feasibility of using the black parts from a Model 2.

 

yes, but the console on the 2 and the 4 are different.

 

How about the 3? What are the differences between the 2 and the 4 consoles? Is it just Qi charging and could that be adapted?

It would be so much more peaceful around here without all the whining about the Bone China! Now I'm beginning to hate it too.

 

I don't have a gen 4 but if i did I'd take it straight to my vinyl guy and see if he could wrap it in a different color. If they can wrap entire cars I am pretty sure they could do those pieces.

 

The 4 is a major departure from the 3 inside and out. I didn't like the white at first but it makes seeing things on the console easier and if I slop coffee I can see it to clean it up before it becomes a permanent part of the interior!

 

Looks like a semi truck steering wheel. Massive LOL

LG-H901 ?

 

The Three and Four have identical center consoles - only the Two uses the lower grade flat black plastic. I wouldn't consider it - given the upgrades in other interior plastics, it would be at least as out of place as the stark white.

Not everyone cares about the Qi charger, but those who do definitely don't want to get into this mess - this would require some medium-grade craftwork to achieve an attractive result. Better to wait for a third party solution (or different colors/textures from Toyota - they've hinted as much in dealer presentations to calm some of the feedback) for console covers; the white isn't going to hurt you in the mean time.

While I still kinda hate it, the truth is I've calmed down a bit since I don't see it when driving or riding up front, so it's not a meaningful part of the in-car experience, only an annoyance when looking into the car from outside. The main reaction from honest friends isn't that it's hideous, but that it makes the interior look unfinished, like someone left a big part out of the middle. The big "toothed" drink holders add to this effect, as if they're sockets for some missing part(s).

 

I have the two with the flat black. It came in bone china from the dealer and I had them change it before delivering the car. It is SO much better than the white. The matte black blends nicely with the car, and I've had no trouble with the quality of the plastic.

 

I'm confused. Here it's saying "white bone china accents are only on models 3 and 4. Maybe it needs an update? Which level is the matte black stock?

Visual Tables of Gen4 Package Combinations | PriusChat

 

There are no Twos with fine bone china. Hard to figure what actually happened here, but no, what's described isn't possible in U.S. models (MN's in the U.S., right? )

If it is a Two and galownia's just confused about it having white to start with (which seems the most likely explanation, because I'm sure one wouldn't be mistaken about the trim level one bought), then of course the flat black would coordinate just fine with the rest of the interior - it's all the same stuff.

 

Has anyone tried hydro dipping? Plasti-dip?

At least with plasti-dip it would

Having a 2, I guess I don't understand all the hoopla...

 

All such solutions would entail disassembling and removing the center console, then adding a layer or layers of some material, then putting it all back together and hope the pieces still fit properly. Speaking for myself, I'm not that motivated; as noted earlier, while a bit goofy looking, it's not that much of an irritant when traveling in the car. On the other hand, applying a set of appliques or other drop-on/pop-on type solution seems less disruptive, and I'm hoping we'll see some attractive options along those lines before too long.

 

It is a two Eco. I know for sure it had white around the shifter in the showroom. I may be mistaken about the center console, however. The dealer changed the shifter to glossy black before I picked it up. The same was true with my wife's two eco (yes, we have two two ecos).

Jonathan

 

I downloaded the US brochure. Could be they're changing things on the fly, but taking the brochure at face value:

1. All levels have white for the shifter surround and the steering wheel garnish.
2. Levels 2 and 2 Eco have black center console, in all others it is white.

OTOH, there's very little description in the 2 Eco "Interior Features" section. Maybe they neglect to note the center console is white??