purplengold
Member
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- 2016.5 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD w/Tech and I-ACTIV
I'm thinking about masking everything on my dash except the chrome and spray painting it. The little chrome strip above the touchscreen also bugs...wth
A/C Vent Trim Removal
- Thread starter ronpax
- Start date
I think you should also make sure that the spayed paint won't fly around and stick all over the windshield, ceiling, seat cloth, ... That hassle was what scared my from spraying inside the car.
B-ham Gary
Member
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- 2016 CX-5 Touring AWD
Vinyl wrap material would probably be a better choice.
purplengold
Member
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- 2016.5 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD w/Tech and I-ACTIV
You're totally right. I'm going to do the vinyl wrap on all the dash chrome. Thanks for the advice.
SayNoToPistons
Wheels, not rims...
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- CX-5 GT AWD w/ Tech, RX-8 GT 6spd w/ 'goodies'
Pre-2016 CX-5's vents are not chromed. I'm more than willing to trade.
Post #2 mentioned that the trim in an integral part of the vent, and the dash need to be removed in order to replace the trim, that's also the reason why I chose to tape over it instead.
Has anybody had any success Plasti-dipping the vent trim while still in place? I was thinking of plasti dipping it, or doing a vinyl carbon wrap with a heat gun/hair dryer, or just being lazy and ordering the ones from https://www.ebay.com (commissions earned)/Aliexpress
Any opinions on which method would be 1.) easier 2.) best looking 3.) functionally...
Any opinions on which method would be 1.) easier 2.) best looking 3.) functionally...
purplengold
Member
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- 2016.5 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD w/Tech and I-ACTIV
I found these carbon fiber looking vent trim covers and ordered a pair. https://www.japanparts.com/parts/detail/47651
Splinter Cell
Member
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- Mazda CX-5 Platinum
FYI guys, the vents themselves are easily removed from the dash, they press fit into the heating/ventilation ducting, they are not part of the actual ducting itself. They are secured in place with 4 claw-type tabs and you can pop them out from behind the dash. Remove the glove compartment to access the passenger side, I removed the small open storage panel under the switches to get reach access to the driver's side.
Once out, you will find that the chrome trim is also just clipped in place ... but the vents have to be out to see this. I didn't remove mine (never noticed this issue tbh - I was hunting an annoying rattle) but that should make it easier to vinyl wrap/paint/discard or whatever.
Once out, you will find that the chrome trim is also just clipped in place ... but the vents have to be out to see this. I didn't remove mine (never noticed this issue tbh - I was hunting an annoying rattle) but that should make it easier to vinyl wrap/paint/discard or whatever.
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purplengold
Member
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- 2016.5 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD w/Tech and I-ACTIV
Pardon my asking but how do you know this if you've never done it?
Splinter Cell
Member
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- Mazda CX-5 Platinum
Never done what?
I did remove the vent quite easily to get access to the the dash mount bracket behind (which turned out to be a waste of time BTW). While I had it out, I noticed that that the chrome trim is clipped in place and remembered people asking about it on this thread. I didn't remove the chrome trim myself as this is not an issue for me.
I took a photo on my phone, see below. You push out the 2 metal tabs on the bottom of the vent from behind and rotate up to unhook the 2 top tabs from the dash. In the bottom left corner, you can see 1 of the many small tabs securing the the chrome trim in place, most are hidden under the felt tape applied.
purplengold
Member
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- 2016.5 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD w/Tech and I-ACTIV
I see. Thank you for posting that pic! How difficult was that to remove? Do you have any manufacturer directions on this or did you just figure it out? It seems like too much trouble just to change the color of the trim. Although I would do it if it is easy.
Thanks much, Splinter Cell, for the pic with the metal tabs. I was able to remove my vents today.
The passenger side is super easy, just keep the glove compartment door half-open with your knee and your hand can freely access the vent. It's easy to feel the metal tabs and push on them. I pushed one side first, then wedged it with a coin to prevent it from going back in, then the other side.
The driver side is trickier. Unless Splinter Cell posts instruction on removing the storage and buttons panels, I got lazy and went directly for the vent instead. I lay down on the carpet, my head touching the brake pedal, my back is on the side step (perhaps a pillow on the carpet might be easier on your back). From that angle, I can clearly see the vent with its two metal tabs, and was able to push them with a long screw driver. However, this side is a little harder to pull out, I had to hold the tab (that change air direction) in the middle of the vent and pull it strongly.
In the pictures below, you can see that the chrome trim can be removed independently of the black window below it. I wasn't sure which latch is which, so I detached the whole window first before removing the chrome trim.
Again, thank Splinter Cell for your pointer. It's just a matter of spraying PlasticDip now.
The passenger side is super easy, just keep the glove compartment door half-open with your knee and your hand can freely access the vent. It's easy to feel the metal tabs and push on them. I pushed one side first, then wedged it with a coin to prevent it from going back in, then the other side.
The driver side is trickier. Unless Splinter Cell posts instruction on removing the storage and buttons panels, I got lazy and went directly for the vent instead. I lay down on the carpet, my head touching the brake pedal, my back is on the side step (perhaps a pillow on the carpet might be easier on your back). From that angle, I can clearly see the vent with its two metal tabs, and was able to push them with a long screw driver. However, this side is a little harder to pull out, I had to hold the tab (that change air direction) in the middle of the vent and pull it strongly.
In the pictures below, you can see that the chrome trim can be removed independently of the black window below it. I wasn't sure which latch is which, so I detached the whole window first before removing the chrome trim.
Again, thank Splinter Cell for your pointer. It's just a matter of spraying PlasticDip now.
Attachments
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Splinter Cell
Member
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- Mazda CX-5 Platinum
@purplengold, no manufacturer directions, I did what sillyxone did above and looked behind the dash with a flashlight, saw the various tabs and figured it out.
@sillyxone, I didn’t attempt to push on the vent tabs from underneath the dash, it was too awkward for me tbh.
To remove the storage compartment, place your fingers flat onto the bottom of the recess, press down and pull forward sharply to release the bottom tabs. This will require a little bit of force but don’t worry about breaking anything, the tabs are extremely robust. Then grip behind the sides of the compartment that are now protruding at the bottom and ease forward, working your way up until the top tabs release.
To remove the button panel, it is secured by 3 tabs, similar to the vent tabs but plastic instead of metal. With the storage compartment removed, it is very easy to see and access these. Push them out from behind, and then unclip the electrical connector.
Regarding how hard it was to pull the vent out, you need to rotate it upwards slightly as you draw it out from the bottom. The top tabs are not press fit, they grip behind the dash and need to be “unhooked”. Likewise, re-fit the vents at a slight upward angle to secure the top tabs behind the dash first and then push back into place from the bottom.
Great pictures btw and good luck with the PlasticDip
@sillyxone, I didn’t attempt to push on the vent tabs from underneath the dash, it was too awkward for me tbh.
To remove the storage compartment, place your fingers flat onto the bottom of the recess, press down and pull forward sharply to release the bottom tabs. This will require a little bit of force but don’t worry about breaking anything, the tabs are extremely robust. Then grip behind the sides of the compartment that are now protruding at the bottom and ease forward, working your way up until the top tabs release.
To remove the button panel, it is secured by 3 tabs, similar to the vent tabs but plastic instead of metal. With the storage compartment removed, it is very easy to see and access these. Push them out from behind, and then unclip the electrical connector.
Regarding how hard it was to pull the vent out, you need to rotate it upwards slightly as you draw it out from the bottom. The top tabs are not press fit, they grip behind the dash and need to be “unhooked”. Likewise, re-fit the vents at a slight upward angle to secure the top tabs behind the dash first and then push back into place from the bottom.
Great pictures btw and good luck with the PlasticDip
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purplengold
Member
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- 2016.5 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD w/Tech and I-ACTIV
I noticed there is a fabric type material that is glued around the edge of the vent that kind of seals everything. Did you glue this back into place or find another way to seal it? I wouldn't want to have air blowing inside the dash or leaking when its not supposed to.
Splinter Cell
Member
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- Mazda CX-5 Platinum
That tape is not a seal, it is anti-squeak tape to prevent annoying rubbing sounds between the hard plastic vent and the soft plastic dash. I would peel it back carefully to access the tabs and then cover it back after.
You can buy it cheaply if you tear it, I keep a spare roll at home to fix annoying rattles and squeaks as they arise.
You can buy it cheaply if you tear it, I keep a spare roll at home to fix annoying rattles and squeaks as they arise.
