My First Molding Hood/ICB Motorsports experience

[AspecR]

Thank you for the information Sir. If you have any Chinese manufacture recommendations, let us know.

I'll drop a list shortly.

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[HondaHoon]

This is unacceptable for First Modling unfortunately, having to deal with ICBM always seems to be hit or miss in my experience. Painting it will hide the defects but it's always gonna be there in the back of your head, that the defects are still there.

It's gonna sound elitist and I totally understand it's alot of money but $3k~ is not actually that much for a carbon hood these days. $3k is too much money for what you received though.

Well, I will update the thread at the close of business today what happens. They are three hours behind my time zone ans they do not open till 1000am. We shall see how they handle this via phone, as they have yet to respond to me via my detailed emails.

 

[Savannah@TSP]

 

[AspecR]

Well, I will update the thread at the close of business today what happens. They are three hours behind my time zone ans they do not open till 1000am. We shall see how they handle this via phone, as they have yet to respond to me via my detailed emails.

I hope they make you whole for the experience

 

[AspecR]

Thank you for the information Sir. If you have any Chinese manufacture recommendations, let us know.

On Alibaba
1). Dongguan Saibang Carbon Fiber Products Technology Co. Ltd.
2). Shenzhen Forneng Technology Co. Ltd.
3). Guangzhou Feisheng Carbon Fiber Co. Ltd.
4). Foshan Kai Xin Yue Technology Co. Ltd.
5). Guangzhou Saiwa Carbon Fiber Products Co. ltd.
6). Guangzhou JOGON Auto Supplies Co. Ltd. (jogoncarbon.com is their US website)

On ebay
1). kztauto1
2). CREATECARBON

Message anyone of these companies and ask about their process and ask for a walkthrough, pics and videos of how they develop their carbon parts. The dongguan and guangzhou companies have been making carbon parts the longest.

 

[HondaHoon]

Update:
At approximately 1300 hours EST 1000 MST, I received an email from Matt at ICB Motorsports advising me that he had family friends from Germany and that they were not open on weekends. The email advised me to call him between 1400 and 1500 hours MST.

During that time, he proceeded to send me another email, showcasing a Mugen dry carbon fiber side spoiler (sideskirt) that was clearly damaged. ((This comes important later))

I proceeded to call him at 1713 EST, 1413 MST. Another employee answered, and I advised that I was directed to call. She asked me to hold, and she would get Matt. A few moments later, he answered, and I advised him who I was and why I was calling. Matt proceeded to advise me that he needed me to hold because he had another customer on the phone. I said okay, and a few minutes went by. He then rejoined the call.

Matt immediately began addressing the Mugen part that he sent me earlier, using it as an example that it was a part from Mugen that arrived to that customer imperfectly as well. He continued about the gel coat, etc, etc., etc on the First Molding.

Finding a break in his dialogue, I interjected that the only issue I have regarding the many imperfections on the hood was the 4 "milk dots" found on the peaks from the center vent. I advised Matt that after consulting two painters, if they proceeded to sand them down to correct them, it would more than likely result in pinholes being created. Matt validated this concern.

I continued by advising that, after consulting a few of his previous customers on Instagram and the forum community, the quality of the hood I received, my complaints about the hood were validated and considered fair. I went on to express those concerns about the depressions in the carbon fiber material, etc., etc, etc.

Matt found a break in the dialogue and advised that carbon fiber products are not perfect. He referenced that he had seen many Spoon products that were not good. He also brought up the Mugen part he sent me an image of.

At this point, I was getting a little heated; however, I managed to keep my cool. The conversation went on, and he basically said that he was not going to accept the return of the hood because he said that if it is not correct now, it will more than likely be even more damaged upon arrival to him.

I considered this point fair, and I, too, agreed that returning the hood was not on the table.

However, I basically summed it up by saying that I did not believe the First Molding example I received was worth the near $3,000 I paid for. I advised him that based on the previously mentioned gel coat pinhole issues and carbon imperfections, I was going to have to paint the entire hood, and not just clearcoat as I intended.

Therefore, I proposed that upon his receipt of the written quote showing the price difference between what it is going to cost me to paint the entire hood versus just clearcoat, he would cover the difference.

He did not agree or solidify anything at that time, but advised me to get that quote and to call him back upon having it.

I thanked him for his consideration and ended the call at that time.

Summary:
I know most are probably not going to agree with my recommendation to ICB. However, I don't think it is reasonable to ask for a full refund for the hood and for them to cover the freight costs back to Arizona. Honestly, I do not want the hassle of re-packaging the thing, getting it back on a pallet, and transporting it to the loading docks. I think covering the monetary loss that I have to incur to hide the poor carbon is reasonable. I also do not believe filing a credit card claim is valid, based on the current situation. However, I did consider all these approaches. This situation is still not resolved or solidified at this time, and things may change. However, I will try to remain optimistic.

Thanks to everyone for their continued support.

 

[Cueyo]

Sounds like he's using the mugen part as an excuse. I guess the paint thing is a good halfway point, but the fact that he basically tried to talk you into giving up on compensation or return shows me this company isn't worth working with.

I can almost bet if they didn't have it already, they'll have a section saying "please note: carbon fiber is hand-laid and may not be perfect from factory".

 

[CG13]

Update:
At approximately 1300 hours EST 1000 MST, I received an email from Matt at ICB Motorsports advising me that he had family friends from Germany and that they were not open on weekends. The email advised me to call him between 1400 and 1500 hours MST.

During that time, he proceeded to send me another email, showcasing a Mugen dry carbon fiber side spoiler (sideskirt) that was clearly damaged. ((This comes important later))

I proceeded to call him at 1713 EST, 1413 MST. Another employee answered, and I advised that I was directed to call. She asked me to hold, and she would get Matt. A few moments later, he answered, and I advised him who I was and why I was calling. Matt proceeded to advise me that he needed me to hold because he had another customer on the phone. I said okay, and a few minutes went by. He then rejoined the call.

Matt immediately began addressing the Mugen part that he sent me earlier, using it as an example that it was a part from Mugen that arrived to that customer imperfectly as well. He continued about the gel coat, etc, etc., etc on the First Molding.

Finding a break in his dialogue, I interjected that the only issue I have regarding the many imperfections on the hood was the 4 "milk dots" found on the peaks from the center vent. I advised Matt that after consulting two painters, if they proceeded to sand them down to correct them, it would more than likely result in pinholes being created. Matt validated this concern.

I continued by advising that, after consulting a few of his previous customers on Instagram and the forum community, the quality of the hood I received, my complaints about the hood were validated and considered fair. I went on to express those concerns about the depressions in the carbon fiber material, etc., etc, etc.

Matt found a break in the dialogue and advised that carbon fiber products are not perfect. He referenced that he had seen many Spoon products that were not good. He also brought up the Mugen part he sent me an image of.

At this point, I was getting a little heated; however, I managed to keep my cool. The conversation went on, and he basically said that he was not going to accept the return of the hood because he said that if it is not correct now, it will more than likely be even more damaged upon arrival to him.

I considered this point fair, and I, too, agreed that returning the hood was not on the table.

However, I basically summed it up by saying that I did not believe the First Molding example I received was worth the near $3,000 I paid for. I advised him that based on the previously mentioned gel coat pinhole issues and carbon imperfections, I was going to have to paint the entire hood, and not just clearcoat as I intended.

Therefore, I proposed that upon his receipt of the written quote showing the price difference between what it is going to cost me to paint the entire hood versus just clearcoat, he would cover the difference.

He did not agree or solidify anything at that time, but advised me to get that quote and to call him back upon having it.

I thanked him for his consideration and ended the call at that time.

Summary:
I know most are probably not going to agree with my recommendation to ICB. However, I don't think it is reasonable to ask for a full refund for the hood and for them to cover the freight costs back to Arizona. Honestly, I do not want the hassle of re-packaging the thing, getting it back on a pallet, and transporting it to the loading docks. I think covering the monetary loss that I have to incur to hide the poor carbon is reasonable. I also do not believe filing a credit card claim is valid, based on the current situation. However, I did consider all these approaches. This situation is still not resolved or solidified at this time, and things may change. However, I will try to remain optimistic.

Thanks to everyone for their continued support.

This the nightmare scenario for an expensive and unique part like a carbon hood. I think you’re being very reasonable with the reduced price offer.

If this were direct from FM I think your offer would be more than fair, but ICBM should have checked the part before shipping. They should cover all the cost of the return or give you a huge discount. To be a distributor of the parts, they accept the risk of receiving poor quality parts from the manufacturer and they should take responsibility for the quality of what they’re selling.

 

[HondaHoon]

Need your help deciding what to do with this hood. Make your choice and dont forget to vote via the poll. Can also leave me a message on the thread. Thanks guys.

 

[Cueyo]

I like picture #4 the most, but I think you should also have the built-in snorkel area exposed.

 

[HondaHoon]

I like picture #4 the most, but I think you should also have the built-in snorkel area exposed.

Thanks for your input. What do you mean by snorkel area? Just want to make sure I understand.

 

[Cueyo]

Thanks for your input. What do you mean by snorkel area? Just want to make sure I understand.

The bottom right red circled area is what I meant. I think it would also look pretty neat with the other area as exposed carbon.

 

[HondaHoon]

The bottom right red circled area is what I meant. I think it would also look pretty neat with the other area as exposed carbon.

Okay thank you for clarifying. Ok I thought the airbox is what you meant but I wanted to make sure. Never really thought about that. Will consider.

Regarding the center vent. This was my original idea until the painters shot it down when they observed those 4 milky dots on the peaks of both sides of the left and right raises surrounding the center vent. These are what I was referencing when I was talking about pinholes being created if they attempted to sand them down to fix. So, I still could do this, but those milky dots would be front and center

 

[TW00Si]

3

 

[HondaHoon]

3

Thanks for your input

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