Frosty's Icebox of Ingenuity [WDP Build Thread]
04-30-2013, 01:43 AM
#41
roof came out great. the front bumper looks extremely bare without the acura letters so aspec asap for sure.
Only thing I'm worried about is the paint matching.
04-30-2013, 10:06 PM
#43
Little update on the vinyl top...
First of all, I want to say that overall I'm extremely happy with it, and how it gives the car a whole new look. It really looks sick, and I'm definitely glad I got it done.
But I'll be honest, it's not perfect. I didn't expect it to be, and I know it's completely reversible, but I was disappointed with a couple things the tinters at Horizon did (some of them are probably easy fixes).
First, there are quite a few bubbles right around the front side of the sunroof. I'm sure those can be squeege-d out or something though. Also, where they tucked it in between the edge of the roof and the back window, its not completely flat. Like the edge is slightly folded up in a couple spots. That I'm sure can be fixed as well.
Lastly, I told them before they ever started working on it to PLEASE not remove the side trim pieces because I've heard they they bend really easily and I'd rather them just tuck the vinyl underneath. Well, they must have done something because there is quite a large dent (bend, whatever you wanna call it) in the driver side trim piece right above my door, so I have to look at it every time I get it my car. Like seriously, couldn't they have bent it somewhere else?! Lol
So I'm not sure what's gonna happen with that. I'm gonna look and see how much it costs for a new trim piece.
Don't get me wrong, Horizon is definitely the best shop for custom stuff like this in my area, and they do awesome work. I had my windows tinted there and couldn't be happier. I just don't think they do vinyl roof's that often. I'm already going back up there either Thursday or Friday to have them pop the hole for my black XM antenna. They said to wait a couple days before doing it so the vinyl could "heal", and to be really careful when I did, so i just figured I'll have them do it. That will also give me a chance to show them the things I mentioned above. Here's some pictures so you can see what I'm talking about:
Again, not trying to bash the shop or be a whiny little girl. I guess I'm just letting you guys know and wondering if any of you that have a vinyl top have had similar things happen. I know a lot of you do it yourself which is cool. Also, the reason I didn't bring this up to them when I first picked it up was because it was raining, so the roof was covered with water and I didn't get a chance to look it over real well till i got home. But I'll be going up there later this week, so I'll keep you guys posted. Wish me luck
First of all, I want to say that overall I'm extremely happy with it, and how it gives the car a whole new look. It really looks sick, and I'm definitely glad I got it done.
But I'll be honest, it's not perfect. I didn't expect it to be, and I know it's completely reversible, but I was disappointed with a couple things the tinters at Horizon did (some of them are probably easy fixes).
First, there are quite a few bubbles right around the front side of the sunroof. I'm sure those can be squeege-d out or something though. Also, where they tucked it in between the edge of the roof and the back window, its not completely flat. Like the edge is slightly folded up in a couple spots. That I'm sure can be fixed as well.
Lastly, I told them before they ever started working on it to PLEASE not remove the side trim pieces because I've heard they they bend really easily and I'd rather them just tuck the vinyl underneath. Well, they must have done something because there is quite a large dent (bend, whatever you wanna call it) in the driver side trim piece right above my door, so I have to look at it every time I get it my car. Like seriously, couldn't they have bent it somewhere else?! Lol
So I'm not sure what's gonna happen with that. I'm gonna look and see how much it costs for a new trim piece.Don't get me wrong, Horizon is definitely the best shop for custom stuff like this in my area, and they do awesome work. I had my windows tinted there and couldn't be happier. I just don't think they do vinyl roof's that often. I'm already going back up there either Thursday or Friday to have them pop the hole for my black XM antenna. They said to wait a couple days before doing it so the vinyl could "heal", and to be really careful when I did, so i just figured I'll have them do it. That will also give me a chance to show them the things I mentioned above. Here's some pictures so you can see what I'm talking about:
Again, not trying to bash the shop or be a whiny little girl. I guess I'm just letting you guys know and wondering if any of you that have a vinyl top have had similar things happen. I know a lot of you do it yourself which is cool. Also, the reason I didn't bring this up to them when I first picked it up was because it was raining, so the roof was covered with water and I didn't get a chance to look it over real well till i got home. But I'll be going up there later this week, so I'll keep you guys posted. Wish me luck
04-30-2013, 10:51 PM
#44
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
Take that shit back. Don't settle.
I took mine back when a few corners were cut short and white was still visible around the sunroof. I was nice about it and they redid it free of charge.
If they are going to do a job, they need to do it right.
I took mine back when a few corners were cut short and white was still visible around the sunroof. I was nice about it and they redid it free of charge.
If they are going to do a job, they need to do it right.
I'd take it back too.
04-30-2013, 11:50 PM
#46
Last edited by Frosty; 04-30-2013 at 11:50 PM. Reason: typo
05-02-2013, 10:09 PM
#48
Update on the roof
I stopped up at Horizon today to talk about the vinyl and everything that was screwed up on it. The sales guy that set up the appointment came out and was surprisingly understanding of the situation. I showed him all the problems and he said this definitely is unacceptable and needs to be fixed.
He also told me that despite my clear instructions to NOT remove the trim panels, both trim panels were removed by the tinter guy that installed the vinyl (he wasn't there tonight). If they felt like they absolutely needed to remove the trim, couldn't they have just called to let me know since I was so adamant about them staying on? I probably would have been fine with that, and just said please be careful. He also told me that about halfway through the installation, he was about to just tear it all off and give up because it was "such a challenge". Obviously they don't do as many vinyl roofs as I thought.
Anyways, he told me to have it there Saturday morning and they will fix it. I have no idea what they will/can do about the trim pieces, but i'm going to look up the cost of new ones. Does anybody have any idea what the part number is or how much they cost?
He also told me that despite my clear instructions to NOT remove the trim panels, both trim panels were removed by the tinter guy that installed the vinyl (he wasn't there tonight). If they felt like they absolutely needed to remove the trim, couldn't they have just called to let me know since I was so adamant about them staying on? I probably would have been fine with that, and just said please be careful. He also told me that about halfway through the installation, he was about to just tear it all off and give up because it was "such a challenge". Obviously they don't do as many vinyl roofs as I thought.
Anyways, he told me to have it there Saturday morning and they will fix it. I have no idea what they will/can do about the trim pieces, but i'm going to look up the cost of new ones. Does anybody have any idea what the part number is or how much they cost?
05-02-2013, 10:31 PM
#49
Race Director
iTrader: (8)
73163-sep-a01 $86.27
05-02-2013, 10:33 PM
#51
Race Director
iTrader: (8)
Just the left side.
05-06-2013, 10:18 PM
#52
Hello everyone. Here's a couple mods I managed to get done over the weekend...
USR Smoked Sidemarkers- I'm really happy with the look and for $60, you can't beat em!
Independent Fog Light w/ Stock Switch Mod- After reading the DIY thread I decided to take on the challenge of doing this. Most people said it took them an hour; It took me four! But everything worked out and I'm so glad I did it. I can't wait to put my new fog bulbs in.
Oh, and if anyone cares, I still have't gotten the whole vinyl roof thing sorted out yet. I went in Saturday and they told me they were too busy, and to come back next week. So I think I'm going in Wednesday. My main concern is the trim piece/molding (which I gave them the part number for). Stay tuned.
USR Smoked Sidemarkers- I'm really happy with the look and for $60, you can't beat em!
Independent Fog Light w/ Stock Switch Mod- After reading the DIY thread I decided to take on the challenge of doing this. Most people said it took them an hour; It took me four! But everything worked out and I'm so glad I did it. I can't wait to put my new fog bulbs in.
Oh, and if anyone cares, I still have't gotten the whole vinyl roof thing sorted out yet. I went in Saturday and they told me they were too busy, and to come back next week. So I think I'm going in Wednesday. My main concern is the trim piece/molding (which I gave them the part number for). Stay tuned.
05-06-2013, 10:27 PM
#53
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Nice work.
05-11-2013, 10:33 PM
#54
New MODS!
How's it goin guys? A lot has changed since last weekend. First of all, I just want to let everyone know that I went back to Horizon and they fixed the issues with the vinyl (bubbles, etc) AND are also ordering me a new molding trim piece. So I'm very happy about that. Now onto some new mods.
As you know, last weekend I did the independent fog light switch mod. Well today, I replaced the stock bulbs with the Nokya Hyper Yellows. They look so awesome!
I also replaced (almost) all of the interior halogen bulbs with 5K White 360 LED bulbs from Vleds. It is so clean looking, and SO BRIGHT! Especially the trunk, which is a 12-Led board. The only two bulbs I need to replace are the ones above the vanity mirrors. Completely forgot about those when i was ordering. I didn't even know that there were lights in the glovebox and center console until I started researching LEDs because they were burned out.
As you know, last weekend I did the independent fog light switch mod. Well today, I replaced the stock bulbs with the Nokya Hyper Yellows. They look so awesome!
I also replaced (almost) all of the interior halogen bulbs with 5K White 360 LED bulbs from Vleds. It is so clean looking, and SO BRIGHT! Especially the trunk, which is a 12-Led board. The only two bulbs I need to replace are the ones above the vanity mirrors. Completely forgot about those when i was ordering. I didn't even know that there were lights in the glovebox and center console until I started researching LEDs because they were burned out.
05-12-2013, 11:59 AM
#58
Haha, I know right? Thanks.
Yes, they are surprisingly bright. I was considering putting boards in the domes but I didn't like how you could see the yellow LEDs through the lens. These are perfect.
These are the ones I got for the domes and door lights:
http://www.vleds.com/5k-white-3-chip...21-1-pair.html
And this is the board I got for the trunk:
http://bit.ly/13QUykd
These are the ones I got for the domes and door lights:
http://www.vleds.com/5k-white-3-chip...21-1-pair.html
And this is the board I got for the trunk:
http://bit.ly/13QUykd
05-12-2013, 01:27 PM
#59
It must be your camera than. I had the exact same ones in my domes that you linked but my camera didn't pick up the lighting as well as yours did. I now currently have those 12LED board panels in my interior and a 30LED board in the trunk.
Here's how my old VLED bulbs looked compared to yours. The ones I had is the exact same ones you just installed
and here's a picture with 12 LED boards installed.
Your camera picks up light a hell of a lot better than mine did. We both had the same type of bulb installed at one point but according to the pictures yours looks WAY brighter.
lol your camera makes your 5 LED interior bulbs look way brighter than my 12 LED boards!
Here's how my old VLED bulbs looked compared to yours. The ones I had is the exact same ones you just installed
and here's a picture with 12 LED boards installed.
Your camera picks up light a hell of a lot better than mine did. We both had the same type of bulb installed at one point but according to the pictures yours looks WAY brighter.
lol your camera makes your 5 LED interior bulbs look way brighter than my 12 LED boards!
05-12-2013, 03:03 PM
#60
lookin great dude. happy the vinyl got fixed. whats next?
05-12-2013, 03:49 PM
#61
It must be your camera than. I had the exact same ones in my domes that you linked but my camera didn't pick up the lighting as well as yours did. I now currently have those 12LED board panels in my interior and a 30LED board in the trunk.
Your camera picks up light a hell of a lot better than mine did. We both had the same type of bulb installed at one point but according to the pictures yours looks WAY brighter.
lol your camera makes your 5 LED interior bulbs look way brighter than my 12 LED boards!
Your camera picks up light a hell of a lot better than mine did. We both had the same type of bulb installed at one point but according to the pictures yours looks WAY brighter.
lol your camera makes your 5 LED interior bulbs look way brighter than my 12 LED boards!
Thanks man. There's a ton of things on the to-do list, but at the moment I'm looking into custom headlights and taillights from either JnC or AckTL05. I can't decide who to have them done by. It looks like they both do awesome work. I'd really love to get the Aspec kit but I'm too worried that the paint won't match and I don't think you can buy them unpainted.
05-12-2013, 10:31 PM
#63
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Looks good Frosty! It's really coming along.
05-16-2013, 02:33 PM
#66
2004 TL SSM w/NAVI
good job man, everything looks great. good to see someone so young doing tasteful mod's instead of big mufflers and plastidipped wheels!
aspec comes painted already and it will match nicely, it's OEM. keep the mods comin!
aspec comes painted already and it will match nicely, it's OEM. keep the mods comin!
05-16-2013, 02:49 PM
#67
ya im pretty sure the a-spec will match just fine if u get a WDP kit. but other than that, i'd definitely get the tails done asap. Maybe something similar to CLtotheTL32
05-18-2013, 12:02 AM
#69
Down She Goes
I've been wanting to do this for a long time and I finally took the plunge. The car is getting a (much needed) drop. I went back and forth between coilovers and a spring/shock combo, and I decided that I would probably never utilize the features that coilovers have to offer once I got the height where I wanted it. I also discovered that I could get an awesome set of shocks/springs for the same price as an entry level set of coilovers. For these reasons I went with the Koni Yellow shocks and the H&R Sport Springs. I've heard great things about these shocks and springs paired together. I got everything from http://www.excelerateperformance.com/. The springs won't come till later next week, but I got the shocks today and the shipping speed was INCREDIBLE. I ordered them around 2:00pm yesterday, and they were delivered at 9:40am this morning! Here's some pics:
05-19-2013, 10:35 PM
#74
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Nice job buddy.
05-20-2013, 03:59 AM
#76
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Clean TL!
Very nice man!!! I wish I had my TL when I was 16 :P but my first car was an integra 5 speed manual man, sadly its broken down in my drive way. Anywho cant wait to see the progress on it, you surely are going alot faster than I have.
05-21-2013, 09:11 PM
#78
Suspension Hold Up
H&R Springs came today and I thought I was all set to get everything installed, but I was talking to another member and they said I also need to get a rear camber kit or else the wheels will point in and my tires will wear out faster. I did some searching and there are mixed opinions on whether it's the camber that causes the tires to wear faster, or the toe angle. I think I'll still get the kit just so my wheels don't point in though (I prefer the flush look). Do the majority of people get these camber kits when they lower the car? Don't really know much about suspension
Last edited by Steven Bell; 12-01-2013 at 07:37 PM.
05-22-2013, 09:44 AM
#79
Mr. Frostee.
Install your shocks and springs.
1, you will not be lowered enough to have SERIOUS camber wear.
2, TOE is the killer and you don't need a kit to fix that.
My first set of tires when I first put on my coils...no camber kits...car drove great and with rotations, tires lasted me 27K.
Get a lifetime alignment at Firestone and if you decide you DO need the kit, get one down the line and get it redone.
Install your shocks and springs.
1, you will not be lowered enough to have SERIOUS camber wear.
2, TOE is the killer and you don't need a kit to fix that.
My first set of tires when I first put on my coils...no camber kits...car drove great and with rotations, tires lasted me 27K.
Get a lifetime alignment at Firestone and if you decide you DO need the kit, get one down the line and get it redone.
05-22-2013, 09:54 AM
#80
Mr. Frostee.
Install your shocks and springs.
1, you will not be lowered enough to have SERIOUS camber wear.
2, TOE is the killer and you don't need a kit to fix that.
My first set of tires when I first put on my coils...no camber kits...car drove great and with rotations, tires lasted me 27K.
Get a lifetime alignment at Firestone and if you decide you DO need the kit, get one down the line and get it redone.
Install your shocks and springs.
1, you will not be lowered enough to have SERIOUS camber wear.
2, TOE is the killer and you don't need a kit to fix that.
My first set of tires when I first put on my coils...no camber kits...car drove great and with rotations, tires lasted me 27K.
Get a lifetime alignment at Firestone and if you decide you DO need the kit, get one down the line and get it redone.
Crap, I wish you would have posted this sooner! I already ordered the Ingalls kit from XLR8 last night. He said he was shipping them today so maybe there's still time to cancel the order. So you really think I'll be fine with H&R Sports as long as I have the toe adjusted? Tires are really expensive and it'd be better to spend $160 on a camber kit than $1,000 or more on new tires; But I certainly don't want to waste my money on it if it isn't gonna help anything. I'm also thinking about getting 15mm and 20mm wheel spacers for front and rear respectively. I don't think that would have any affect on camber though. I just emailed XLR8 to see if they could hold off on shipping them until I decide for sure.