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      07-19-2020, 06:51 PM   #1
Bud Webber
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My dash glare prevention solution

When driving in certain directions during a sunny day, there is an uncomfortable glare from two horizontal trim pieces on the dash.

To minimize the glare, I installed two strips of matte finish pin striping, which helps a lot.
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      07-21-2020, 07:53 AM   #2
sonicflux
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Looks clean. I've had this same issue and was considering putting a strip of dark tint down on those sections. Nice to see a solution in action.
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      07-21-2020, 11:38 AM   #3
johninaustin
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bud Webber View Post
When driving in certain directions during a sunny day, there is an uncomfortable glare from two horizontal trim pieces on the dash.

To minimize the glare, I installed two strips of matte finish pin striping, which helps a lot.
That looks great. It drives me crazy too.

I've been wanting to do something like that but didn't know where to start. What product did you use?
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      07-21-2020, 04:12 PM   #4
LMK5
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One of the things I really like about the F30 is how the iDrive screen is never hard to read, even in bright sun. On my G20 test drive I noticed this reflection right away. Surprised they didn't correct it before release.
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      07-21-2020, 08:01 PM   #5
TheRetroGuy
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It looks great -- is it 1/2 inch width tape?

Also do you happen to have a link for the exact product used by any chance?
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      07-21-2020, 09:41 PM   #6
Bud Webber
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Trim Material

The adhesive backed material comes in a roll. It's matte black color, "Oracal 651 Intermediate Car Vinyl Matte," available at Michaels.com (and maybe in the store ?).

Cut the strips slowly and carefully with an X-acto No. 1 knife from Walmart or Michaels. Use a metal straight edge to make crisp and straight cuts on the material, and cut the ends to match the angle of the adjacent panel switches.

I measured the surfaces that create the glare and cut the top strip a little wider than the bottom one.
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      07-22-2020, 10:28 AM   #7
Aero7000
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BMW should not wait for LCI to fix trim issue.
There are really not much I would bitch about this car, but the Sun from the aft-starboard quarters does make center display and HVAC controls unusable while driving.
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      07-22-2020, 01:40 PM   #8
TheRetroGuy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aero7000 View Post
BMW should not wait for LCI to fix trim issue.
There are really not much I would bitch about this car, but the Sun from the aft-starboard quarters does make center display and HVAC controls unusable while driving.
Agree, I'm surprised I saw only one negative comment about this in all the reviews I read/watched prior to purchase.

What is LCI?
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      07-22-2020, 03:20 PM   #9
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Do not know why BMW use this term. it is simply a mid-cycle face-lift.
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      05-18-2021, 03:35 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johninaustin View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bud Webber View Post
When driving in certain directions during a sunny day, there is an uncomfortable glare from two horizontal trim pieces on the dash.

To minimize the glare, I installed two strips of matte finish pin striping, which helps a lot.
That looks great. It drives me crazy too.

I've been wanting to do something like that but didn't know where to start. What product did you use?
Did the same. Really bugged me and the reflection off the drink compartment door. Used an adhesive carbon fiber paper. Looks great.
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      05-19-2021, 10:17 AM   #11
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That's a good idea.
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      05-21-2021, 01:41 PM   #12
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@[Bud Weber]

Wow, talk about fortuitous! I was on my way back home yesterday and the sun kept hitting the center vent frame and put off a strong glare -- and like you and others have said, couldn't even read the iDrive!

Well, I got home and later was looking through BimmerPost and saw your post. Went down to local Michael's and they had matte black on hand so I bought a small roll. I also measured; the top lip was 1/2" wide and bottom lip around air conditioner controls was 3/8" -- of course measured the length. I used a paper cutter.

Hopefully next time I'm on the road that will do exactly what you have found!

Thanks!
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