2013 Audi S7 Phantom Black (Project black out) build. Custom interior/exterior

[notn41]

Well I think it's about time I share my build with you all.

I have a 2013 S7 I purchased about 4 months ago.
I went from a 2006 C6 Z06 all black cammed, 630hp all motor.
IMG_0289 by Notn41, on Flickr
The day I saw the a7 body I wanted one. When the S7 came out I was SOLD. The draw of 4 doors and all the comfort and technology along with the performance really got me. I love these cars.

My car came stock as:
2013 Audi S7 29k miles
Phantom Black pearl
Innovation Package
Comfort Seat Package
Wood Trim inlays
IMG_2165 by Notn41, on Flickr
IMG_2160 by Notn41, on Flickr12A09760-F556-435B-9816-81DD0D890780 by Notn41, on Flickr
D7E00E96-5146-4F1C-A2B5-1014BC0D8138_1 by Notn41, on Flickr
IMG_2161 by Notn41, on Flickr
IMG_2162 by Notn41, on Flickr

The photos looked great, but in person, the car needed some love, leather a little worn, paint has SWIRLS like crazy, brake discs covered in rust. No big deal, nothing I can't take care of ;) (ps that isn't me in the car that is the truck driver dropping it off)
IMG_2421 by Notn41, on Flickr
IMG_2436 by Notn41, on Flickr

IMG_2621 by Notn41, on Flickr

Starting in december I decided it was time to build my dream S7. I am a bit of a perfectionist, and I built what I wanted in my head and have been slowly executing it. It started as blacking out my grills on the exterior and just changing my inlays to carbon fiber, which I had no idea involved taking apart nearly my ENTIRE interior. By the time I got my bumpers off and interior apart, it only made sense to perfect everything while I was that far in there.
IMG_3771 by Notn41, on FlickrIMG_2864 by Notn41, on Flickr
IMG_3783 by Notn41, on Flickr
IMG_3917 by Notn41, on Flickr

I decided to do a custom interior. This is what I came up with. (I modeled it after the RS7 performance in the placement of the alcantara because I want it to look OEM)


After much debate and more photoshop, I came up with this design. With Some custom S7 Logos to finish it off. Excuse the poor photoshop job. Also centers of seats will be diamond stitch NOT honeycomb like in the photoshop.

Full alcantara roof, seat centers, door inserts, along with wrap everything else in nappa leather and contrast red stitch it all together. I ordered all my materials from Aaron at Hydes leather in canada. He imported all of my fabric from germany from the same factory audi gets all of their fabric. I had to get "soul black" instead of BLACK and a lighter black of alcantara to match audis black. A lot of research went into this. Also had to have the alcantara perforated in a factory in poland so it will match the oem perforation on the air flow seats I have.


Finally got the color red thread I wanted. It's the red from anthony at top stitch and I wanted the red to match the red square on the S7 logos on the car and his matches about as good as it gets. He got the red color from a ferrari f430 scuderia.




Unfortunately, THIS design means painting ALL OF MY BUTTONS and Trim in my entire interior, BLACK.
Well, it wasn't easy, but I got everything apart (very carefully), it took me weeks to do.(and a few heart stopping moments lol)



Starting to paint the trim.



Now the exterior,
I originally wanted to do all black with chrome badges, headlights, etc. But after much thought, I decided I really hate the chrome badges in the rear, and since I am doing everything on the exterior matte and gloss black, I want to do matte black badges. NOW, with matte black badges in front it didn't look right with the chrome headlight housings. Well I found a solution.
Current: (oh yeah, added RS4 Wheels in gloss black to the car ;) along with a HR lowering module and 15mm spacers for the stance)


After a little photoshop work, this will be the result with black headlight housings. Debating going gloss black or paint matching the phantom black housings.


I took my headlights to a shop that warranties their work here in town, they separated the lights for me, and I am stuck on how to remove the chrome trim to paint it. I would rather remove it than have them tape it off and paint it on the headlight. This is what it looks like currently. Any pointers? Anyone done this before? I know I am probably the first for a lot of things on this build (good and bad)


On top of all this, I am going to do my inlays in full atlas carbon fiber by matt at ocarbon. He has been fantastic so far, sent me lots of photos of my parts, and has done top notch work. I HIGHLY recommend using him.

Once I get the car all back together (which is going to be hell, I think I took out 1000 screws at least), I also have a full milltek catted valve sonic exhaust waiting to go on the car to finish it off (for now)


Oh yes, and one more thing came in today...

[DoughBoyFreshLV]

Looks great, once you start you just can't stop lol!

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[Mr.Wrong]

This is going to be fun following. Good luck with your build. Subscribed!

[MileMan402]

Not exactly my taste, but wow I commend your efforts to get it where you want to be. You're crazier than me; if I got it back together and realized I created a bunch of rattles I think I'd have to sell the car.

Good luck with oCarbon, I really hope you get your parts. Matt basically ruined his reputation on the forums by taking customers' money up front and never delivering products. He got himself into a "robbing Peter to pay Paul" situation and royally pissed off a lot of people. (P.S. he sent all those people WIP pictures too.)

On top of all this, I am going to do my inlays in full atlas carbon fiber by matt at ocarbon. He has been fantastic so far, sent me lots of photos of my parts, and has done top notch work. I HIGHLY recommend using him.

[Speedemon]

One of the SA forum members did his lights on his S4. If I recall he stated that the chrome parts unclip in the headlights. Not sure if it is the same for the A7.
I am subscribed. Interested in seeing the finished product.
I also like the red stitching.

[DadzS6]

if it turns out as planned it will be a bad a$$ looking S6! Good luck!

[notn41]

This is going to be fun following. Good luck with your build. Subscribed!

Thank you Mr.Wong. Gonna need every bit of luck I can get.

Not exactly my taste, but wow I commend your efforts to get it where you want to be. You're crazier than me; if I got it back together and realized I created a bunch of rattles I think I'd have to sell the car.

Good luck with oCarbon, I really hope you get your parts. Matt basically ruined his reputation on the forums by taking customers' money up front and never delivering products. He got himself into a "robbing Peter to pay Paul" situation and royally pissed off a lot of people. (P.S. he sent all those people WIP pictures too.)

Rattles isn't going to be an issue with taking out the buttons. Just need to make sure I get them back in place and rattles can always be taken care of with anti rattle paste. (Which I am deciding which to go with)
Thank you for the heads up. So far he has been great.

One of the SA forum members did his lights on his S4. If I recall he stated that the chrome parts unclip in the headlights. Not sure if it is the same for the A7.
I am subscribed. Interested in seeing the finished product.
I also like the red stitching.

It looks like it does but there's 2 screws I can't get to. I ordered a specialty Torx wrench to get it off, it'll be here soon. That should help things. But it doesn't just slide out.. It's a pain in the A**

if it turns out as planned it will be a bad a$$ looking S6! Good luck!

S7 ;)
And thank you

[jpru2001]

what is the cost on the custom stitching - that is about the coolest feature you are planning to me. any idea?

[notn41]

what is the cost on the custom stitching - that is about the coolest feature you are planning to me. any idea?

Custom stitching means the price of reupholstering any part on the interior with new leather/suede and putting the stitch color you want. It's a very expensive ordeal. What I am doing is costing me a couple thousand minimum for labor, plus materials.

[A6C711]

Subscribed!

Commend you for having massive balls and a bigger wallet, and building your dream car. Going to look so bad a$$ when it's done.

Good luck!

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[HackDevil]

Oh the black on black on black is fire!


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[BMcD-RS4]

Wow - What a project! Looking good. As someone who also had a modded C6 Z06, you won't miss it. The S7 gets you practical performance in any weather, something the Z06 could never do. Good luck!

[wildcat333]

Subbed


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[chucky0731]

Wow...this looks like quite a project.

It looks like you own your own shop...this project probably out of scope for any other ordinary person.

I can't wait to see the final result.

Custom leather stitching will look awesome. I should know since I have them on my RS7.

[yeuchau]

Wow, a little speechless on all the effort you put into for the interior work.

[notn41]

Subscribed!

Commend you for having massive balls and a bigger wallet, and building your dream car. Going to look so bad a$$ when it's done.

Good luck!

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Haha, thank you

Wow - What a project! Looking good. As someone who also had a modded C6 Z06, you won't miss it. The S7 gets you practical performance in any weather, something the Z06 could never do. Good luck!

Thank you from a fellow z06 owner someone who truly understands.

Wow...this looks like quite a project.

It looks like you own your own shop...this project probably out of scope for any other ordinary person.

I can't wait to see the final result.

Custom leather stitching will look awesome. I should know since I have them on my RS7.

It's my buddies shop actually. And more than anything it just something you have to just be able to figure out without any instructions. To reverse engineer. Audi is smart, so it isn't easy to take apart.

[_SILENCER]

Man, what a balls-out project. I'd be insane if I tried anything remotely that complex.
It's going to look fantastic when you're done.

[notn41]

Update: towing car to Apohlsterer today💪🏻

[notn41]

FINALLY got the headlight apart. Wow that was fun. Now that I know how to do it it's not too bad. But this picture could be very useful to someone.

[HackDevil]

FINALLY got the headlight apart. Wow that was fun. Now that I know how to do it it's not too bad. But this picture could be very useful to someone.

Can you explain how you took the headlight apart? I've been debating about taking mine apart to get rid of the Amber


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[notn41]

Can you explain how you took the headlight apart? I've been debating about taking mine apart to get rid of the Amber


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I would highly recommend sending your headlights to a place that specializes in custom headlights that will warranty against leakage to separate the headlights for you and put them back together. That's what I am doing. I have done it before myself but they have the right tools and right glue to put to all back to make sure it will never leak. If you want to do it yourself, many forums show how it can be done. All the headlights are held together the same way, a glue that once heated to about 250 degrees becomes soft enough to separate the headlights. (Note: Must undo clamps on headlights as well) Also remove your led system on the bottom first as well. I believe oven at 250 for about 12-15 mins should do the trick but you have to watch them carefully(heat them just long enough for the glue to soften, heat them too long and they could melt!). And when you put them back together, you will need clamps and more silicone glue, lots of it to guarantee no leaks. But some silicones will leak or cause condensation once heated because some have a base of vinegar. (also why I recommend a headlight specialist to separate) Once they are apart, removing the amber, or painting it black should be VERY EASY. I hope that helps

[jfeger]

Wow. This should be fun. Subscribed!

[A6C711]

Update: towing car to Apohlsterer today💪🏻

It would be interesting to know a ballpark figure on the budget you have for this. I doubt it's obtainable to a mear mortal like me but am sure someone here would like to know how much you gotta pump into it for a true custom 7

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[Speedemon]

FINALLY got the headlight apart. Wow that was fun. Now that I know how to do it it's not too bad. But this picture could be very useful to someone.

Maximum effort. Well done. Cannot wait to see the completed lights.

[tonymission]

Wow, I would never attempt to undertake something like that with the headlights. Not that I'm hating, just don't have big enough balls myself... lol

[HackDevil]

I would highly recommend sending your headlights to a place that specializes in custom headlights that will warranty against leakage to separate the headlights for you and put them back together. That's what I am doing. I have done it before myself but they have the right tools and right glue to put to all back to make sure it will never leak. If you want to do it yourself, many forums show how it can be done. All the headlights are held together the same way, a glue that once heated to about 250 degrees becomes soft enough to separate the headlights. (Note: Must undo clamps on headlights as well) Also remove your led system on the bottom first as well. I believe oven at 250 for about 12-15 mins should do the trick but you have to watch them carefully(heat them just long enough for the glue to soften, heat them too long and they could melt!). And when you put them back together, you will need clamps and more silicone glue, lots of it to guarantee no leaks. But some silicones will leak or cause condensation once heated because some have a base of vinegar. (also why I recommend a headlight specialist to separate) Once they are apart, removing the amber, or painting it black should be VERY EASY. I hope that helps

Thank you very much. I've decided not to do this.... lol


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[notn41]

Did my LED interior light swap today. There's 7. Did the kit with resistors so there will be no code.
Trunk Before:

Trunk after:

Other ones aren't hooked up yet because panels are out, but you get the idea.
Never understood why the bulbs weren't led stock on a 100k car. Audi goes, "hey guys we're over our budget on the car now, let's swap 7 leds to bulbs to cut this cost down on this car!!!" 😂

[notn41]

Matt at oCarbon just sent me pic today of my parts being assembled with the trim I painted black and sent back to him.

[Keaney]

What weave did you go for? I'm considering a zonda weave satin finish


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[Thisisnoise]

Did my LED interior light swap today. There's 7. Did the kit with resistors so there will be no code.
Trunk Before:

Trunk after:

Other ones aren't hooked up yet because panels are out, but you get the idea.
Never understood why the bulbs weren't led stock on a 100k car. Audi goes, "hey guys we're over our budget on the car now, let's swap 7 leds to bulbs to cut this cost down on this car!!!"

Where did you but the bulbs for the trunk ? Possible to send over a link

[notn41]

What weave did you go for? I'm considering a zonda weave satin finish


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Atlas carbon fiber weave, black.

Where did you but the bulbs for the trunk ? Possible to send over a link

I just messaged you.

[gazan1204]

Atlas carbon fiber weave, black.



I just messaged you.

I'll take that link too, if you dont mind.

[notn41]

More pics of my carbon fiber from Matt at oCarbon will be sending it to me next week

[14S4GWM]

Looks good, looks like you got a lot luckier with him then a lot of others.

[notn41]

I'll take that link too, if you dont mind.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ziza-par...09751ziza03kt/
For trunk only

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ziza-par...09751ziza01kt/
For full kit. I got full kit.

[BlueSVT]

Damn... what an effort. Looking forward to following along!

[Keaney]

Cool looks nice with the chrome being black


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[Keaney]

Link for the bulbs please too if you don't mind


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[Winterk80]

Wow this is an amazing amount of work. I commend you for having the nerve to undertake this! Looking forward to seeing the results and those stitched seats!

[notn41]

Damn... what an effort. Looking forward to following along!

Thank you it has been a lot of hard work to say the least.

Wow this is an amazing amount of work. I commend you for having the nerve to undertake this! Looking forward to seeing the results and those stitched seats!

Thank you! I'm hoping it will be worth it in the end.



UPDATE: Most everything came in today minus one part that is getting its final touches from matt at oCarbon. Fantastic work. Great communication via email throughout the entire process. The pictures don't do the carbon fiber justice..