Aluminum trim and sill kits are ordering!!!

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05-28-2002, 01:22 PM

Austin519

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Aluminum trim and sill kits are ordering!!!

Trim Thread

THE TRIM AND SILLS GET MY SEAL OF APPROVAL. All orders can be placed with AP-Signworks directly by calling the number below or emailing at the address below:

Ph: (678) 468-9041 (7 days a week 10AM-10PM EST)
Email: sales@ap-signworks.com (24/7/365)

We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Paypal, Money order, and personal check. Personal checks must clear with the bank before items are shipped. For Paypal payments, the account is ap_signworks@hotmail.com (this is a PAYPAL ONLY EMAIL ADDRESS!). Any payment you do not see listed, feel free to email sales@ap-signworks.com and ask.

E-mail IS preferred over phone calls (it makes it a lot easier on us).

Prices:
TL/TLS SILLS (lettering) - $65
TL/TLS SILLS (blank) - $45
CL/CLS SILLS (lettering) - $55
CL/CLS SILLS (blank) - $40
TL/TLS/CL/CLS TRIM - $225

READ MY MESSAGE BELOW, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CHANGES THAT YOU WILL WANT TO KNOW ABOUT! ALSO DIFFERENT MODELS WILL SHIP AT DIFFERENT TIMES! FIRST GEN'ERS PAY ATTENTION TO GENERAL SECTION #5!!!

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Now...there are a ton of questions I have to answer here. So I will break it down into three categories...trim, sills, general, and finally PICTURES!

Trim:
1) Why is the trim now $225 instead of $205 as I originally said? The reason is because ALL (yes all) aftermarket trim kits available for our Acuras don't do two important things. First, this aluminum kit was modeled after an aftermarket wood kit from BDI. The two important things that these aftermarket kits don't do is cover the wood on the door panels, and the wood along the sides of the center console. Our kit will do this, but that was not factored into the original price (because the proto trim kit did not contain these pieces). The manufacturer apologizes for the $20 price increase. This means that the price that Tim is offering for the kit is incorrect (assuming he is still copying my prices).

To make you guys feel a bit better about that slight price increase, I am working with the manufacturer to make four custom pieces that were not originally planned for, those being the two upper triangular vents and trim pieces to go around the audio control buttons on the steering wheel. I am making the models for these pieces myself, but this isn't a promise guys. But you all know me, and I expect a little more from this mix-up, and I am going to try as hard as I can to see you all get it.

2) I'll see if I can explain this problem. The manufacturer is having a good bit of trouble with the two pieces on either side of the console that curve upward. The reason is that those pieces curve in two directions. First they curve upward toward the roof of the car, and second the edges curve inward toward the shifter. What this means if you can visualize it, is that the aluminum will crumple on the inside of the curve if you try to bend in the edges to match the stock trim, because the metal obviously doesn't stretch. We are working on this, and will get it worked out...it's just going to be tough.

3) I expect to have all the models for extra pieces to the manufacturer by Tuesday, so we should begin shipping these kits in two weeks. Ordering is first come, first serve and yes, there will be a lot of orders.

Sills:
1) About the quality of the sills and some changes. Most of you have already seen the prototype sills that bobatimez decided to go behind my back and get. These sills ARE available now and ready to ship. HOWEVER, as I expected, when I met with the manufacturer we made some changes. The prototype sills were made out of whatever material was available to the manufacturer at the time, .016 brushed aluminum. This aluminum was too thin to engrave, and did not show the chrome overlay very well...so it was silk screened with a darker color metal. The finished version of the sills will be .035 brushed aluminum, which will allow it to be engraved. We will also possibly be experimenting with a second design involving outlining the chrome lettering with a darker color metal to show off the edge between the chrome and aluminum. At least one of these versions will be available to anyone who has bought the sills. Should both of these methods turn out equally well, both will be available.

2) The prototype sills did not mate up evenly with the stock pieces; they were about .125" too long. This has been corrected in the final version.

General:
1) I know that you all are probably saying to yourselves that there are a lot of questions above, and a few things that are not ironed out. To be honest, they are very minor issues, but you guys know I tell you everything, so I didn't plan to stop here. The trim looks absolutely incredible...and the only reason that the prototype trim kit isn't on my car is because my whole car was 303'd, and also because I'll be ripping it apart soon so I may not put it all on yet. These issues will be sorted out by me personally (I will most likely make a second trip to Atlanta) and should not worry you in the least.

2) The main design for the sills is the engraved version, I do apologize for saying it couldn't be done before. The original sills were made thin for fear of not clearing the doors. After showing the manufacturer we have plenty of space, he agreed to thicken the sills. So I expect the final design to be the engraved version. I am experimenting with a chrome lettered version yes, however it does not show up very well from a distance. The manufacturer is also going to try and buy a sandblaster specifically for the sills...which is how they made the INSPIRE sills. We have no way to support the cost with our groupbuy of a big sandblasting machine, and the manufacturer is going out on a limb in possibly procuring this smaller one. So again, we are experimenting but expect engraved sills.

3) Issues have been raised about the general thickness of the metal. .016 brushed aluminum will be used for all the trim for a reason, that reason being that the thicker you go the more it sticks out. Any aluminum trim is extremely thin metal backed by a much thicker (proportionally) adhesive. You would notice that the trim doesn't look "stock", or that it belongs there, otherwise. The door sills we can get away with a slightly thicker metal because of the edges of the stock piece. The thickness shouldn't matter anyway, it's in no way a testament to the strength of the metal or quality. Once placed on the car, it's not going anywhere.

4) About the metal finishes. My sample of "brushed aluminum" was NOT the same finish as the one he is using. The brushed aluminum that the manufacturer has chosen looks INCREDIBLY nice, and has a sheen to it that the satin does not. I will be going with a brushed kit myself, and I thought I was sold on satin. This brushed looks absolutely stunning. This is also a good thing because satin will most likely be more expensive, if the manufacturer can even get it (he has to order $100k+ of the material minimum which is much more than we will use) and is harder to make conform to a surface.

5) First gen TL and CL ers...we are not comletely done with your kits (sills and trim). We should have them finished as the second gens are shipping, and we anticipate another 2 weeks of manufacturing time. So expect your kits then.

Hopefully this has answered all questions...please post all questions or anything else related to this topic HERE, and not in other threads that I may not see. I will endeavor to answer everything as quickly as I possibly can.

Pictures:
Click the link below for full size. Keep in mind that WE JUST LAID THE TRIM OVER MY TRIM, we did NOT install the trim. So, if you see some edges that aren't lined up, it's not on purpose. Everything fits perfectly (but you will see that). Also, some pieces may not be on in every picture, and there may not be pictures of every piece. But it's just more of the same badass looking trim!!