I did not want to be the first to complain but both of my covers more or less fell off today.
I have sent a PM to AC to see how they will resolve.

I still love the look and just expect these are development issues that come up with a new product.

 

I figured there would be some slight issues with the fitment and adhesion since it's a new product. I'm relieved (in a weird way) that I'm not the only one. I'll probably go get some more tape tomorrow. It seems that the tape along the edge isn't really sticking. I'm wondering if it would work better on the flatter surfaces along the top & bottom.

I don't feel like I was ripped off or anything. These are the pitfalls of modification and it's all about creative solutions to overcoming them.

Let us know what's up when AC gets back to you.

 

I am going to have Mike look at my fit at AMVIV in a couple of weeks,good idea about using the blk tape to cover up the chrome.Q

 

Well, now that it's out, I can report on my solution. My passenger side went on well, and is stuck reasonably well, but the driver's door handle fell off after a day. I really pressed on it, fabricated a clamp for an overnight pressure hold, but it fell off the next morning. The driver's door is not perfectly matched on the outside curve, and AC is using a very thin M3 VHB adhesive (they come in varying thicknesses), so it won't get enough contact to make a bond.
I ended up roughing up the chrome with 60 grit and epoxied the CF cover on. Let it set 24hrs and that sucker is absolutely not coming off, EVER. Not that I'd want it to, since the chrome handle looks like *****.
But the covers look fantastic.
I'm very happy, and remember, I had to do my own work on the Umnitza CF headlight rings, so having to improve on AC's design is nothing new to me.

 

Hey Dr. what type of epoxy did you use?

Gene

 

I used a quick-set two part epoxy bought for some of my CF layup work (System Three). Given the tolerances on the handle generally (just not on the outer edge where the 3M tape was placed!) any type of epoxy should work (such as Devcon.)
Also be aware that AC use a very thin gloss gel coat that will ripple and swell if heated too much. I found that a little while in the sun is enough to get the cover supple enough to use strapping tape to hold it in place for the epoxy to set.

 

Thanks for the epoxy info.


Also, as promised, pictures. These were after my initial fit.

 

Thanks Dr. I hope Mike is reading this post and maybe will change his method of adhesion. The tape he supplies is not very good.

Gene

 

I don't think it's a problem with the tape's quality, it's good stuff. I think the problem is that it's not contacting both surfaces fully.

 

They look great on PW/B.

 

Unfortunately Russell is right--the 3M stuff would do the job if the cover were better shaped to mate with the door handle *where the tape is located*. It's just that the curves leave some gap, which I effectively filled with epoxy so that the cover fits much better.
The evidence to date would suggest the fit on the passenger handle is better than the driver's due in part to the key hole, is my guess.

They do look nice on the PW/B, for sure!

 

Hey Everyone!

I just came across this thread today (I don't regularly check this section on the forums regularly). I just wanted to mention that I've had somewhat similar problems with my door handle covers too. I have the comfort access door handles and the fit is actually not bad at all. The hole for the comfort access button matches up well. However, like everyone has mentioned, there is a slight bit of chrome that peeks out between the end of the cover and the rubber on the door handle.

The fix for that isn't hard though - like others have mentioned with the black silicone or black vinyl from a blackout kit, etc.

As for the adhesive on the door handles, mine stayed on for quite a while. The driver's side door handle just recently started to come undone about two weeks ago. We figured that it was due to more use on that particular handle.

We considered gluing it on with silicone but came across some extra heavy duty double sided tape at Home Depot and decided to try that instead. It worked great because the stuff is SO sticky but it's thicker than the original stuff that Mike used to the chrome gap is slightly larger and being that I have the comfort access, the button is slightly harder to push too.

SO, we may one day remove the adhesive and try siliconing it on instead. With the silicone, you wouldn't need/want to scuff up the door handles. Also, it wouldn't be permanent. It would be difficult to get off and would take you a while but you could eventually get them off if you ever needed to remove them so it might be a good alternative to the double sided tape and the epoxy.

Thanks,
Celia

 

Agreed. I am glad to have the part but as others have said I want something other than the tape supplied.

I will wait for Mike to give his solution but glue seems like the best solution if the shapes don't match well enough for tape.

 

Thanks for the compliments everyone. I was amazed at how different the car looks with the handles on. Now if I can just get them to stay…

 

wow 150 for stickers for that much i would have went with coopergear.com custom carbon fiber paint jobs..but again you can always take the sticker off, but thats a waiste of $150. But i would rather paint mines than put stickers on them just my own opinion..but as for aesthetics it looks ok for wat it is.

 

Um, again, not stickers. Stickers are made from vinyl or plastic and are really thin. These are 100% real carbon fiber formed covers with a layer of clear coat on top.

Yes they attach over the existing handles but that does not make them stickers.

 

As Russell says, these things are like many CF products that actually add protection, appearance and very little weight. A decal wouldn't last very long whereas these handle covers will still look like new when the rest of the car looks like *****. For those of us with money to burn, this is amongst the best bling per buck deals for a Mini.

 

ok i change my statement on the fact they are not stickers...but i am wondering if they are covers and you have to use some kind of bond to keep them on..cant ppl just walk up and pull them off...just wondering or are you planning to put gorilla glue on them to keep them in place. Just wondering cause if they aint stickers i am interested in this mod now...but still scared someone might jack'em in my neighborhood.

 

Couldn't you maybe use an adhesion promoter to help the 3M tape hold better?

 

If you use epoxy like someone else posted that they did, then I would think that would be pretty permanent.

 

Once the tape bonds, it is pretty much permanent. The 3M VHB tape is considered to be a rivet & weld replacement.

Or you do have the option of Epoxy like the good Dr. used.

Right now the problem isn't that the tape isn't adhering properly. It's that the tape was placed in a spot that doesn't get 100% contact with the factory handle. A thicker version of the VHB in the same spot would help. Or putting the tape in a better spot. I won't have time to experiment until this weekend. I'll be sure to post pics of my results.

 

Has anyone taken the tape off completely and used RTV? There is a pretty good bit of chrome on mine showing after you push the door handles on reaaallyyy hard.

 

I wrapped the edges of the chrome with blackout tape first.

What is RTV anyway?

 

silicone

 

Ah!