Refinished wood, console, Grom Bluetooth Installed
#1
Refinished wood, console, Grom Bluetooth Installed
I've ALMOST finished reassembling my '06 DB9 Volante interior, but I'm too happy and tired to wait until I'm completely done to post this...
It started out with my wood beginning to fade in a number of places. Then there was a hairline crack in the nav door, and a few tiny chips. I also had developed some scratches in the plastic radio panel and a small ding in the metal console section that has the small bin and ashtray. It doesn't look too bad here, but it was quite noticeable from the seats.
So I decided to have the wood refinished. I used Madera Concepts and it's gorgeous. This low-res photo doesn't do it justice.
While the console was apart, I decided to have the radio and lower panels wrapped. Hey, the radio panel's only plastic, so it didn't feel too sacrilegious. I used a local firm, Shadowgraphix out of Indianapolis. I also replaced the PRND buttons with the glass switches. Sorry for the picture quality.
Seeing as the console was apart anyway, I replaced the CD unit with the Grom MST4. Installation was very easy. I've lost the ability to play CDs, but I now have true Bluetooth functionality. I can play music wirelessly from my iPhone, I can make and receive phone calls through the stereo system, and I have a both a USB port and an Aux-in jack. This is Dylan's "Tangled Up In Blue," and the song title scrolls through the display.
I'm sure I'll have more over the next few days. And I've still gotta reinstall the refinished door caps...
It started out with my wood beginning to fade in a number of places. Then there was a hairline crack in the nav door, and a few tiny chips. I also had developed some scratches in the plastic radio panel and a small ding in the metal console section that has the small bin and ashtray. It doesn't look too bad here, but it was quite noticeable from the seats.
So I decided to have the wood refinished. I used Madera Concepts and it's gorgeous. This low-res photo doesn't do it justice.
While the console was apart, I decided to have the radio and lower panels wrapped. Hey, the radio panel's only plastic, so it didn't feel too sacrilegious. I used a local firm, Shadowgraphix out of Indianapolis. I also replaced the PRND buttons with the glass switches. Sorry for the picture quality.
Seeing as the console was apart anyway, I replaced the CD unit with the Grom MST4. Installation was very easy. I've lost the ability to play CDs, but I now have true Bluetooth functionality. I can play music wirelessly from my iPhone, I can make and receive phone calls through the stereo system, and I have a both a USB port and an Aux-in jack. This is Dylan's "Tangled Up In Blue," and the song title scrolls through the display.
I'm sure I'll have more over the next few days. And I've still gotta reinstall the refinished door caps...
#2
Congrats! Looks fantastic! I've looked at their website in the past and those guys sure seem to be the leader in refinishing of wood interior pieces. Fabulous transformation!
I love the interiors of our cars and particularly like the natural wood finish. I hope Aston Martin doesn't completely go away from it in the future.. I think it's timeless. Bravo! Wonderful job!
I love the interiors of our cars and particularly like the natural wood finish. I hope Aston Martin doesn't completely go away from it in the future.. I think it's timeless. Bravo! Wonderful job!
#6
Sorry, the panel with the clock, the radio, and the climate ***** is plastic. Much to my wife's chagrin, it sat on our dining room table for two weeks and we're both very familiar with it!
The panel below that - the one with the ashtray and leather-lined cubby - is cast aluminum, though.
The panel below that - the one with the ashtray and leather-lined cubby - is cast aluminum, though.
#7
1) You're right about the climate control *****. I ordered the aluminum ones on ebay and returned them because they were not good quality. Everyone says that Tony's are top-notch.
2) The Grom unit plugs into the optical loop, accepting the connector that previously was the data connection from the cd player. It's small - not much bigger than a deck of playing cards - and has three ports. One is a USB, while the other two accept a range of cables they supply. I have the USB extended to the leather-lined tray in front of the ashtray, where I also have a female mini-plug connector to provide an Aux-in connection. One of the connector ports has a Bluetooth dongle attached to it. There's also a new remote mic included. You can connect iPhones and Android phones via Bluetooth with full audio functionality. You could, of course, also plug them in to the Aux-in or even, with an adapter, to the USB. You can also plug a USB thumb drive into the USB port and the unit will play any music you have on the thumb drive.
Installation was VERY simple. The biggest challenges were routing the mic cable and re-inserting the plugs in all the connectors in the back of the panel.
2) The Grom unit plugs into the optical loop, accepting the connector that previously was the data connection from the cd player. It's small - not much bigger than a deck of playing cards - and has three ports. One is a USB, while the other two accept a range of cables they supply. I have the USB extended to the leather-lined tray in front of the ashtray, where I also have a female mini-plug connector to provide an Aux-in connection. One of the connector ports has a Bluetooth dongle attached to it. There's also a new remote mic included. You can connect iPhones and Android phones via Bluetooth with full audio functionality. You could, of course, also plug them in to the Aux-in or even, with an adapter, to the USB. You can also plug a USB thumb drive into the USB port and the unit will play any music you have on the thumb drive.
Installation was VERY simple. The biggest challenges were routing the mic cable and re-inserting the plugs in all the connectors in the back of the panel.
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#10
Here's the order confirmation from Grom, outlining what they sent me:
GROM-MST4 Android iPhone AUX for Volvo XC90 02-06, Bluetooth optional (VOLXCO4) - 1 pcs x 324.99
GROM In-Car Bluetooth Extension for select GROM kits, 10FT (BTD) - 1 pcs x 49.99
AUX-IN 3.5mm audio and 5V USB Charging cable , 5FT (35USB) - 1 pcs x 14.99
USB and AUX 3.5mm Extension Cable w/two dash mounting options (C-FM35USB) - 1 pcs x 19.99
Columbus Day Special - $15 OFF GROM-MST4 Car Kit (DISCOVER15) - 1 pcs x -15.00
Notes: /car make:2006 Aston Martin DB9
Last edited by zuman; 10-21-2016 at 02:12 PM.
#12
Looks great! I love the wood falls, I've always wanted a bamboo waterfall but the vantages never came with them. In retrospect I dont think I would be able to sell a car with bamboo waterfall haha
#13
Side-by-side consoles
New version with refinished wood, glass PRND switches, and wrapped radio/clock/climate panel on left, old version with faded wood, plastic switches, and original panel finish on right.
Btw, as you can see, the original leather over the airbag cover was shrinking and pulled up the corner of the panel. It eventually retracted, leaving a bare corner of plastic, so I printed a DB9 logo on a foil label and stuck it over the gap until I can afford to either reupholster or buy a new panel!
Btw, as you can see, the original leather over the airbag cover was shrinking and pulled up the corner of the panel. It eventually retracted, leaving a bare corner of plastic, so I printed a DB9 logo on a foil label and stuck it over the gap until I can afford to either reupholster or buy a new panel!
Last edited by zuman; 10-22-2016 at 09:58 PM.