321 replies to this topic

[Bargi]

Edit. Just off the phone, and quite irate. Apparently its now Tuesday. Gherkin, ill pm you later. Maybe we could sort something with the samples if you were disparate.

Everyone else, sorry for the delay - the blasters have not started the logos yet due to a big job running on.

All good mate, shite happens. Cheers for taking the time to sort it all out!

[d4nnyk]

Hi I am in no rush either so no worries, thanks for taking the time to sort this group buy out

[AliM]

No rush here either, thanks for sorting this John.

[zx9rjason]

No rush here mate! Greatful for your efforts....

[CKR]

Faster Faster!!!!!!!! Naaaaa, Im not in any rush either.

[J4EY D]

Whenever i get them is fine, no need to rush yourself

[Vespa]

I'm not interested in getting mine off again so I think carpet tape should do the job just fine. Did you just stick it onto the sill first and then place the cover over it?

I positioned them first and marked where they should sit, then I stuck the tape to the back of the plates and sat them down. I've got to get my carbon jobbies up so I can stick these stainless ones down

[d4nnyk]

I've got to get my carbon jobbies up so I can stick these stainless ones down

Try a piece of dental floss, get it underneath and pull it the length of the plate. This is the method I use on badges etc.. and works a threat (sometimes have the double up the dental floss though)

[JohnTurbo]

All done. Would have said yesterday but was in cloudy deutschland until 11.30 Yawn! Will pick up and pack tonight.

[vx220soon]

Great news, thanks for sorting John.

[JohnTurbo]

Great news, thanks for sorting John.

You may wish to retract that.

Ever wish you'd never started something?

I met up with my friend (in a little chef carpark). He'd brought 32 sets of plates. Since the logos 'could have messed up' on some, so I was to return 8 sets, and take 26 good ones. This stainless sheet comes with a protective plastic layer. The logo has been blasted through it. On the samples, the plastic was removed first. They'd left it on to protect the plates from scratches. They looked fine, but I peeled one just to be sure. I almost wish I hadn't.

It seems that blasting makes heat, which melts the plastic covering, so right round the edges of the logo where it was protected by the template it has melted and protected the metal from the blast. The effect is that in a lot of places the blast hasn't 'coloured upto the lines'.
In addition to this, I'd say the heat in the template has warped it at some stage through the batch, so in some cases the blast has gone under the template and has 'coloured beyond the lines'. Why the blaster didn't AT LEAST stop at the point the template was clearly bent I have no idea! Its making me angry just thinking about it.

Its particularly annoying, because my friend's company (the cutters) have done a great job. The plates all looked very neat and well finished. In any case there's probably 5-6 passenger side plates that are good, and only 1 driver side (quite good). I have rescued this pair. The rest I have sent back.

I'd say around half of the plates need reblasting with a new (thicker) template to 'colour' the area right to the edge of the logo, and the plastic removed first. I discussed this with Karl. - The plates could be then wrapped in newspaper to protect them. Half at least will need to be made again from scratch. He thinks his boss (Shawn) will be fine about redoing them - if a little 'frustrated' - especially at the blasters. On another note, last week I was at Phoenix Motorsport (well known local lotus specialists) and the chap there knows Shawn. In fact the plates as a product have been done FOR Phoenix. Its just that we have got in first. (Possibly too early for my liking)!

To sum up - I have no intention whatsoever of sending anything out I wouldn't fit to my own car, and I'm confident this will be sorted out promptly by Shawn. - After all the logos on the samples were perfect! I'm going to talk to Karl when he's broken the news to Shawn tomorrow to confirm. If necessary I'd chip in for material costs, or if absolutely necessary go further than that, as I'm determined not to let anybody down.

Since Gherkin is trying to sell his car, and I have 1 pretty good set, I'm about to send him photos - so that I can mail them tomorrow if he is happy with them.

In the meantime, thanks for your continued patience everyone. If anybody wants to discuss this with me my number is 07742 two-five-nine-eight-five-five.

Cheers,

John

[Bargi]

Pants, not good when stuff like this pops up. At least it sounds like you've got it moving in the right direction. Let us know how it pans out, defiantly you shouldn't be out of pocket for any of this! Again, I'm in no rush if it helps you sort others out quicker. Ray

[CKR]

nevermind, it'll all come good in the end. Im gobsmacked with the blasters though, you'd think they'd be bright enough to quality control the first one and see how that turned out before messing up all 32. Thanks though John,

[AliM]

Sorry it's proving to be a lot of trouble for you JT. I really am in no rush for mine so am happy to wait as long as needed. Dont stress yourself out over it, i'm sure everyone understands. Thanks for your efforts so far

[mscall]

I'm in no rush either so don't worry about any delays on my behalf. Like others have said sorry it's turned out to be a bit of a pain for you, and a big thanks for organising

[JohnTurbo]

Well this will be the last bit of bad news. I've just picked up over a grand in cash, and tomorrow will be making refunds. I'm very sorry its come to this, though personally i'll be at least glad its over. Because the jig for the blasting is broken, Shawn has decided to give it up as a bad job. I did ask after the 31 sets of scrap...Karl thinks he'll sell them off cheap. - They'd suit vinyl covering i suppose. May be coming to an ebay screen near you. I'll likely make inquireys at a lasercutting place i've started using through work. They've proven to be good and also cheap. I think a vinylcut logo in carbon effect would be a safer option. - As would handling the affair personally. If this happens, i'd buy a qty of plates up front so there would be no question of quality or delivery, and offer them here at cost, of course. I don't like to be defeated! At this stage though i can't rest easy while holding the money of 25 people i don't know. It appears paypal has a "refund" option, including fees it seems, and to the rest i will send cheques. The 2 people who paid by bank transfer, please PM an address. Nobody should be out of pocket except maybe the cost of a few stamps. My appologies for the let down. I've very much appreciated your patience, without which i'd be pretty stressed by now, I assure you.

[mscall]

Oh well nevermind, nothing ventured nothing gained A big thanks again for trying

[Tony VXR 56]

Thanks for your efforts John

[SilverBadger]

No worries John, thank you for a valiant effort in firstly coming up with the idea, sorting it all out and having the unenviable task of telling everyone it hadn't worked out because of other peoples slap dash efforts. Tomorrow's another day....in fact it's the weekend which is even better ! cheers again for all your efforts on this, it's was really appreciated. SB

[GiGo]

No worries John, how long do you think it'll take to get the other sorted, and at what sort cost? I'll have to give my mate the bad news on these. Regards GiGo