I replaced a scratched radio faceplate/trim or whatever it is called. Light scratches from 13 years of use but just enough to annoy you. I planned to polish up the original one to have a spare but broke a tab. Tips from my install:
- I ordered a new oem plate from astonmartinbits. Delivered $70.
-I used the red plastic tool to gently pry under *****. Pulled with fingers, slipped tool under, twisted to leverage it a tiny bit, turned the **** so it wouldn’t get crooked, twisted again and only took seconds being gentle.
- I used the 90 degree pick to slip between **** and plate and gently pulled corner of plate up. This exposed the side clip to the plate.
- I had to show in two pictures because I couldn’t take a pic while using both hands but I left the 90 degree pick underneath and gently pulled while I took the 45 degree pick and pressed the side clip in. The two in tandem with very little pressure allowed the plate to pull free.
- I moved along the top edge pulling the plate out with fingers clearing the waterfall. It is a pretty tight fit.
- same technique on other side releasing the right clip and the entire top pulled away.
- I gently pulled up on the plate while working it to get over the *****. The bottom tabs are flat and slot in below so this is a bit tricky.
- I didn’t even notice that it happened but I broke the bottom left tab. I caught this installing the new one so I took the 90 degree pick and worked the broken piece out. I used needle nose players to get it.
- Install was being very gentle to slip the bottom tabs in while working over the ***** and not bending them and snapping one.
- Once in bottom and over the ***** I pressed the top left side in while using the pick to press the clip in. I used more pressure to seat the plate under the waterfall top left side. It almost felt like the plate was too tall but it just fits tight. I worked across the top pressing it in under waterfall. Same technique to get the right clip in and then I firmly pressed in the entire plate to seat it well.
- The **** covers have this funny shape so I put them in partway and turned them trying to seat in a specific orientation. I really don’t know how well I did but when I pushed them in they seated well and turn flawlessly. I thought maybe there was a groove that the longer ends slip into but I don’t think so.
- I made sure to use rubber gloves to avoid any possible fingerprints under the plate.

 

Thank you!