i was wondering, how can you take off the silver trim on the center console without dismantling the whole center console?

as some of you know i just bought my 8 and i noticed how scratched up the right side is

i was hoping on vinyl wrapping it. i could do it without taking them out but i figure that it would go much smoother if i just take them off and apply them when the seats aren't in the way

 

Need to take the whole console out...it's not that bad really.

 

lame, i guess ill just try to work around the chairs then.

 

It's about a 15 minute job......likely save you way more than that

 

is there a video on how to do it though?

 

a video on how to remove the center console? I can't say I've seen one but there's certainly pictures / diagrams out there that point out all the locations... lets see how I can do from memory (I've removed mine far too many times):

1. Unscrew shift ****
2. gently pull up on shifter console
3. remove any electrical connections to shifter console (heated seat switches, nav, etc)
4. Remove screws from ashtray
5. Remove ashtray
6. Remove screws securing console (i can't remember for sure if there are even screws there but it'll be obvious)
7. Remove screws inside both console boxes (center and aft) you may need to lift up the cloth cover on the rear one
8. Remove two screws securing console in the far rear. you'll see them if you remove the rear console storage bin
9. Remove connector holding mid box 12V outlet
10. check for all the stuff I've forgotten about (again should be real obvious)
11. Gently pull the console out of the car

 

I used this video when I replaced mine a few weeks ago: There are 2 screws in the back console's storage area under the felt piece that's not shown in the video. But like previously mentioned, the entire console (front to back) needs to be taken out. Once you take the whole thing out, you can split between the front and back console.

This is what is all attached with the silver trim:

 

Thanks shell dude and thanks USAF_av8r

 

Take it all off, it honestly doesn't take too long to do and this will allow for some needed cleaning - because trust me, once you open that center console up, man was it dirty.

If you plan on vinyl wrapping the center console (I did mine red and it looks SO sexy) it's not that hard to do. You would need a 1 ft x 5 ft roll (you will have some left over) and just do the two sides and that is that.

 

Thanks for sharing, this clip helped a lot. I installed the belkin aircast and hide those messy cables underneath central console panels all the way to glovebox aux/cigar socket. So nice and neat!
Taking these panels off was so easy compare to those in Euro cars, give a big thumb to The Mazda designers.