AH HA! A "lead"...some one doing something through the CAN BUS!

http://www.honeysw.com/canproject.php

Thanks,
Jake

 

-Talking to myself again – but for those that want an update…

I contacted Volico and they were very happy to be able to supply me with a new paint which should be a more saturated black and have more sheen. I hope that it matches the OEM color and finish of the buttons. I will paint the button covers soon, but in preparation, I made new icons for ALL the button covers that DO NOT have a slick co-molded clear lens for the RED LED indicator…

Here they are…I will update with painted parts then etched parts soon…

Any and all comments welcomed!
Thanks,
Jake

 

jake,

do you think a LABEL PRINT Shop will be able to create thsi icons as transparent stickers? not sure but they are nice. keep us posted

 

Hi,

You need to REMOVE material overcoat to get the button to be back lit...I don't think that a label is the correct answer for this one...It could be okay during the day - but it will NOT look OEM - It has to be laser etched...

I messed around with a few different paints, a NEW Volico Paint (which is VERY close - it does not have [or I can not achieve] the proper satin finish...it seems that the TESTORS satin finish overcoat is the best for matching sheen - Now I need to find a finish that is AUTO grade!

Thanks all,
Jake

 

Jake,

Looks great so far. Love the attention to detail you are giving this project.

 

Why not do the new switches with a krylon flat finish and then just clear coat all the switches to match? That way you at least have a uniform look; so you lose the OEM finish, but in this case your new switches working outweigh the stock look IMO.

 

Who would have thought Testor's would come close to the OEM finish. If only you could get ahold of someone at M-B (or the company that manufactures these buttons for M-B) and have them provide you with what type of paint they use.

Cintoman

 

SUNILP - Thank you - I appreciate the comments, I am trying to make it the best I can and live up the Three Pointed Star - While maintain my car hobbyist need to make things...I am also trying to apply my own Industrial and Graphic Design on this...Next big project (and I will need help on) is to scope out the "Blank" button codes and see what CAN signal they are sending - and if I can tap them...

dbvolz - Thank you - That seems to be the way I will do this...Over Coat ALL the buttons uniformly with the Satin Finish I find and choose to use - I am NOT going to use TESTOR'S as it IS NOT automotive grade and I will not trust it to the extremes and use that these parts will have to deal with. I am looking for a good finish. This Testor's Satin Finish is over the VOLICO.de Black Interior paint...That is the quality base.

Cintoman - Thank you - The Testor's as mentioned above is an overcoat of the Volico.de paint - which is very very close...I think spraying the entire switch row set of buttons with the same finish - is the ONLY answer I may have...

I have thought about trying to contact tier 1 OEM suppliers here State side to see if I could pick up some paint - But we all know it will be different between a GM, FORD and a Mercedes-Benz...Chrysler product might be closest...

Thanks,
Jake

 

After review at my local dealership - and questioning the "DEER" icon - I redrew the 12v square wave 20 kHz deer alert to be this...

Think "Distronic" icon...

Opinions and comments welcome,
Thanks,
Jake

 

Nice! I like it. Keep up the good work

 

I like the 12v square


I also love this thread....one my faves

Keep up the AMAZING work....I really want to see the finished product

 

Thought the "SQUARE WAVE" icon was out of place...even though that is the wave type this warning unit puts out - I thought it did not LOOK OEM...

So here is my FINAL...Actual parts should be soon...
Thank all!
Jake

 

nice nice icons look sweet. have you consider adding a SNOW FLAKE icon for winter lol?

 

Sweet! Now that you have the final layout, can you explain what each of them are supposed to do (to consolidate)?

Edit: Have you figured out how to tap into the computer or the unused switches?

 

+1 to that.

For example, I like the 110V outlet icon, but obviously, you can't flip this button up to reveal an outlet. So do you have a plan on where to install this outlet?

I also noticed that you changed the look of some of the already-existing icons (eg: the rear sunshade, and the lock/unlock padlocks). Any reason for this, or you just didn't like what they used for OEM?

I'm very detail-oriented, so I definitely appreciate all the dedication, thought, and efforts into this. I definitely to all your efforts. Looks awesome Jake !!

Cintoman

 

Yes...This is something I sent to MBUSA...
Jake

(I will answer the other posts later...THANK YOU!)

As far as the 110v outlet - think Chrysler product...it would be for the REAR passengers...big plan (LONG TERM) I don't want to get rid of this car (I have had my w123 for 14 years) is to create a rear console...

Jake

 

" And which of these buttons calls your parents to pick you up?"

hahaha j/k

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Triumph...sult_Comic_Dog

 

This one...

 

HOLY that is nice and the recycle icon sweet didnt thought of that! damn you got skills Jake this thread is getting more and more interesting. im going to bring your icon layouts to a vinyl and sticker shop and try to ask them if they can make some sort of transparent sticker.

 

I have not updated this in a long time...

1.) First "Final" etchings were set too hot - BURNED white plastic, etched too deep and yellowed the plastic...
2.) Second set showed that the first set had BAD DXF files...very rough and bad edges...
3.) Had to learn new program to create clean cutter lines...
4.) Had to find BLACK primer to resurface the OEM buttons to try again...

Made new art - That I hope will etch...and I am headed to the shop to sand and surface the bad OEM buttons...

That is where I am now...Dang thing is turning into a THESIS!
Jake

 

Subscribed!

I was wondering what it would take to get those buttons to work, nice work so far!

 

Thanks!

Well, I have not yet made them work...The PCB is there, as soon as I have a working "prototype" in which I mean MY ART Work on moving buttons...I will be able to take it to get scoped for the CAN signals....Then starts PHASE TWO.

I decided to go FULL GAMBIT...I am not happy that my paints are not matching 110% to the OEM finish, so what do you do...You make them all!

Stay tuned...But here is the OEM Heated Seat and Tow / Alarm button covers...WOW! Well done! Two runners per color, plus the clear parts!

Here is my final full row art,
Jake

 

So you figured out how to get the indicators for the heated seats to shine through?

 

can't wait to see the final product.

 

:-) Still watching! :-)