I need a replacement for about 6 inches of the narrow, silver plastic trim above the glove boxes in my 2010 Prius.. A replacemnt part is over $100. Any suggestions for a less expensive solution?
I know the piece you are referring to and I can see why it is expensive. To replace it, you need to remove the passenger vent, upper glove box, right side trim of the sky bridge and the bezel for the stereo and AC controls. Then 2 screws are revealed and the assembly can be carefully removed with a bit of a lift on the dashboard. I've had mine out to cure ticks and rattles and used felt tape to line where it intersects with the upper dash. It also has your passenger air bag lights and warnings built into it. The silver center raised plastic would be hard to duplicate unless you could seamlessly remove the damaged part and then attach similarly shaped plastic to it. I doubt you could match the silver paint and you'd probably guff the piece. The bigger question is how did it get damaged? How about a picture?
This place has it for $74.50 OEM 2010 Toyota PRIUS Instrument Panel & Glove Compartment - 55-01 4728 It looks like it is removable as a separate part. Another option would be to take your part out, replace the damaged section with something you fabricate and paint the whole thing. That way you don't have to perfectly match what's already there. How about a picture? Some of us modify our cars and might have useful suggestions.
How about modifying some of that silver/stainless steel looking adhevisive wrap people put on appliance facings to change color. Or like Aadamace says, just leave it alone!
