Changing the illuminated text on an OEM BMW Button... thoughts?

SV Concepts · 10-04-2008, 09:54 PM

Gents
Wondering if anyone has any ideas on this?

I am wondering if the buttons are made the way they use to be - the whole button is white, and then it is masked and finished with black ABS.... This is how the E46's are, because when the steering wheel buttons would wear from excessive use, the entire button would illuminate.

If this is the case, it should theoretically be possible to sand the button down, mask with new writing, and spray some type of matte paint or ABS on there to change the name of the button...

Has anyone ever done this? Thoughts on the matter?
Thanks in advance
JL

aut0sh0cker · 10-04-2008, 10:12 PM

Not trying it put you down at all, but what exactly were you thinking of changing?

phattbam · 10-04-2008, 10:12 PM

Jon, you stirring up some unique ideas??

328i · 10-05-2008, 07:57 AM

I would imagine that it would be very difficult to mask it on such a small piece.

tintivilus · 10-05-2008, 05:47 PM

I think the "mask" is injection-molded plastic with open letters into which a second-step of white plastic is injection-molded. IIRC, the backsides of the buttons are solid white in the recess.

I hear what you're saying about the E46 buttons but I thought I read (on e46fanatics or someplace) that they changed the button design so they wouldn't wear out anymore before the end of the run.

10-04-2008, 09:54 PM	#1
SV Concepts 390 Rep 5,835 Posts Drives: Vorsteiner E60 M5 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: 1460 White Oaks Rd. Suite F. Campbell, CA 95008 iTrader: (10)	Changing the illuminated text on an OEM BMW Button... thoughts? Gents Wondering if anyone has any ideas on this? I am wondering if the buttons are made the way they use to be - the whole button is white, and then it is masked and finished with black ABS.... This is how the E46's are, because when the steering wheel buttons would wear from excessive use, the entire button would illuminate. If this is the case, it should theoretically be possible to sand the button down, mask with new writing, and spray some type of matte paint or ABS on there to change the name of the button... Has anyone ever done this? Thoughts on the matter? Thanks in advance JL
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10-04-2008, 10:12 PM	#2
aut0sh0cker meh 125 Rep 1,752 Posts Drives: E92 335i, 997.2 C4S Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: 91362 iTrader: (2)	Not trying it put you down at all, but what exactly were you thinking of changing?
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10-04-2008, 10:12 PM	#3
phattbam Major General 180 Rep 5,817 Posts Drives: '17 Protonic Blue i3 REx Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: sf area iTrader: (21)	Jon, you stirring up some unique ideas??
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10-05-2008, 07:57 AM	#4
328i Colonel 149 Rep 2,934 Posts Drives: E46 ///M Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: central NJ iTrader: (15)	I would imagine that it would be very difficult to mask it on such a small piece. __________________
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10-05-2008, 05:47 PM	#5
tintivilus Lieutenant Colonel 26 Rep 1,826 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lake County, IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [0.00] 2003 325i [0.00]	I think the "mask" is injection-molded plastic with open letters into which a second-step of white plastic is injection-molded. IIRC, the backsides of the buttons are solid white in the recess. I hear what you're saying about the E46 buttons but I thought I read (on e46fanatics or someplace) that they changed the button design so they wouldn't wear out anymore before the end of the run.
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