13_G37x and GdaddyNY both paypal'd me for shipping them a 5-foot section of trim seal. I'm really looking forward to seeing what comes of their respective projects. The two are in the mail as of yesterday.

As for the third... MNfiniti hasn't been online since asking, so if I don't hear from him after a while, that last 5-foot section is up for grabs to anyone else who asks, assuming anyone else is actually interested. It's not like I'm making profit selling pieces of aftermarket trim seal, LOL.

No wait... math. Cost of the trim seal plus 3x shipping at $4.10 each, that means you guys pay $14 each and I only paid $11.30 for my piece. OMG, I'm a fricking genius, muwahahaha!

 

Sorry, got caught up and hadn't been on in a few. PM'd you Rochester!

 

Roger that. It'll be mailed out Monday.

 

Remember this teaser pic from a few months back?



The idea is still kicking around. Anybody have any opinions about it?

On the plus side, I have the letters, and don't have to buy anything. And it might look good. Certainly it would be unique, and a harmless project.

On the down side...

• Too blingy?
• Too big?
• Would the mounting tape hold up to the engine heat?
• Would every single time I open the hood be wondering if that was the time I looked to see a letter or two missing?
• If I fck it up, I'll have to sand and repaint again.
• Getting the letters lined up and properly spaced will require some serious detail.

 

Perhaps make the letters black? 5 min epoxy for permanent bond?

 

That's some out-of-the-box thinking, Hexotic.


I can't see any way that could happen without making a mess.

 

There is a channel inside the letters. A bead of 5 min epoxy, wait 3 minutes till it starts to get tacky, then apply the letters, this way, you have more control of spillage. Ive done a lot of detailed work with similar things and if youre careful enough, it can be done neatly. If all else fails, just paint over the whole thing with black paint lol.

Im just thinking if they're black like the rest of the panel, it won't be too 'blingy' and will be more of a cool subtle detail.

Or... screw it and just paint them orange like the engine cover

 

I really like the idea of making them black. Subtle and tasteful, and won't look like you put your trunk letters in your engine bay

 

I like the idea of the panel without lettering. Plain old vinyl plastic like the two sections on either side.

 

Nice job on the shop, Hexotic.

• The blacked out letters doesn't do it for me (in that pic), but I know it would look more pronounced in person.
• The engine bay color is interesting, almost tempting.
• And the chrome looks pretty good, IMO.

As to the epoxy, you're right, the centers of the letters are grooved, which means you'd have to either fill them first, or operate as you said here, which is wait for it to get tacky near the plane of the backside. It's delicate work, either way. Whereas using indoor/outdoor mounting tape is pretty simple. Just cut what you need with cuticle scissors, and cover the entire backside of each letter.

Hmm. Lots of things to think about. Thanks, Andy!

 

I never pursued putting the INFINITI letters on the back panel. They're all just still sitting here in a corner on my desk, taunting me the way only stupid pieces of chromed plastic can. In any event, I've grown comfortable with the clean look. So it's a keeper the way it is.



I got to thinking about this project having recently removed the brake & clutch area plastics for a problem with my clutch MC. In taking apart the single piece of trim seal, and inspecting everything a half year later, maybe 2k miles... it's all holding up really well. The CF wrap is solid. The blank plate is solid, and the paint is 100%. The trim seal is a perfect fit.

It all looks pretty good, IMO. This was a worthy project.

 

I know that I sold the extra trim seal to a few people here in this thread. Recently came across a pic of MNfinti's engine bay, and was wondering how your respective blank plate projects went.

Pics, stories... how did it go?

 

I should have jumped on this when you were selling the extra. I might tackle this project when it warms up.

*edit* looks like the trim seal is now only $26.41. Might have to get it now for later use.

 

Good for you. Take your time, and don't get so committed to a particular approach that starting over isn't an option. I'm really, really pleased with how my project turned out, and I have like zero fabrication skills.

 

I think my biggest hurdle will be getting it to match the other "walls". Might have to wrap everything, we'll see.