I had Autobuffs paint a couple things for me but the coolant tank I had a body shop do. The reason is because of the high temps. The body shop uses a special paint so it won't crack under expansion/contraction and heat. Noel's work is first class but I have seen too many post about the cracked paint on the coolant tanks.

 

I painted my own engine compartment accessories including the surge tank.....NO cracking of the paint. I did prep the tank with primer, flex, GM Torch Red paint, and finally clear coat.
I would suggest, that the job was hastily done and incorrectly for it to show like your photos. The vendor needs to support their products since this should not happen.
Verdict: Replacement free! :smash:

 

Bob-

Sorry to be ignorant, but what is "flex?" Is it the same as the flexible primer for plastic that I got from Pep Boys for the fuel rail covers, or is it something that you put in the color and clear coat paints like the pros use?

 

You're right George...it's the flexible primer. I also used "Adhesion Promoter" after the flex.

 

Thanks Bob. That sounds like a good setup. What I did for the fuel rail covers was to scrub with detergent, wipe down with a plastic prep to remove any oils or silicone, sand with 300 and then 600 grit to smooth off the covers, rinse off thoroughly, shoot with the adhesion promotor, then shoot with several coats of the flexible primer, then sand smooth with 600 grit, rinse again, then shoot with multiple color and clear coats, then wet sand with 2000 grit, then compound with 3M Finesse-It. Gave a finish just like the body (much better actually), and there was no part of that that even I couldn't figure out.

 

IIRC,
The surge tank cover goes on with no problems, but I think the windshield washer tank cover has to be "slightly" modified to fit. I saw these on another forum members car and they look pretty good. :)


[Modified by RoliO, 10:59 AM 1/29/2002]

 

Hey thanks Roli! Might be that would be the way to go. A practical benefit for us do-it-yourself types who have a day job is that you could take your time with the car still being functional while you are doing the pieces. If this other forum member wouldn't mind, please shoot me his e-mail at cooperge@musc.edu so I can get with him for advice.

Thanks again!

 

The only crack I ever had was on the washer tank. This was due to my big elbows resting on it in the dead of winter when I was removing the fan shroud to add some chrome. So I put a vinyl corvette forum sticker over the crack. It has sat on it for thousands of miles and has never come off. shhhhh....don't tell the judges. ;)

 

Um, just email HER! ;) She is pretty famous on the forum for painting hoodliners (PaulaH). :D I believe she loves those pieces. Maybe she can post a pic of that pretty engine bay she has. :yesnod:

 

If this is Autobuffs policy, than I think they should have a disclaimer on their website stating this. I couldn't find anything stating that the reservoirs could crack and wouldn't be covered under any warranty.

 

Hey thanks! I've seen pictures of her stuff, and it is super!

 

Mr. Garrett,

I assure we have nothing to hide here, We explain this potential problem to ALL of our customers... Being you were never Directly OUR customer and you bought your package from someone else on the forum makes it impossible for us to explain the possibility of the surge tank cracking.

I assure you and as you come on the forum with a vendetta, ask the forum to see how many have the same problem... To date were over 300 kits out the door with 9 recorded incidents of surge tank problems.

Maybe if you e-mailed me the first time and said you purchased it from someone else can you "help" I would have approached it differently but it was obvious you were trying to hide that fact to get something for nothing!

There are "TERMS & CONDITIONS" on my site, I suggest you read them! http://www.autobuffs.net/s-cart/terms.html

I Respond as a courtesy to yourself and the forum, I do engage in forum ploys to "I'll get back at the vendor"!

Respectfully,
Noel

 

I forgot to mention one thing...

This kit was originally purchased MARCH 31, 2001 if any warranty was applicable (original owner) it would have started the date delivered NOT the date installed.... You should inform the forum of ALL details!

 

I did not come on here with a vendetta. You left me with "I don't know how other people drive their cars". So, I came here to see how other people's tanks were doing. If you payed attention you would notice I did praise the overall quality of your product except for this problem. Vendetta, I think not.

I am not trying to get something for nothing. I'm trying to get what you offer in your slogan "for something better than good enough". I believe I did ask for your help in my first email that I sent... "I'm wondering what we can do to resolve this" Is that not asking for help?? You offered me absolutely no outlet for help. I have my stock surge tank...I could have sent it to you, I could have sent you the cracked one... you made no offer to help and basically told me to "deal with it". That's just not right.

One again, I did not come here to "get back at you". I emailed you first before I ever came here with this. You offered nothing to fix this problem and said you don't know what other owner's situtation were. So, I came here to find out for myself.

Whether there is a 30-day warranty or not, do you want me posting pictures of my engine or going to national corvette meets and having people ask me where I got this kit from and having me say AutoBuffs. Does that look good for you? Maybe you should think about that before you blow off customers (first or second hand customers it does not matter).

Adam

 

I can't control what you do or say, Thats obvious here...

I have no history of an item that has been floating around for close to a year... We will gladly paint you a new one, If your looking for something for nothing then I suggest you go back to were it was purchaced.

This is my last reply...

Regards,
Noel


[Modified by NassBlue, 7:04 PM 1/29/2002]

 

1st....I'm glad Noel has responded :cool:

as for me, yes, no issues to date.....do I track often no, but I also keep the pieces on when I do, yes :D

I have noticed a "little/very slight discoloration" around the fuel line....nothing major :D

I would use Noel again in a heartbeat and plan on using him again in the near future :D

 

I try not to get involved in these things, but you cannot expect any manufacturer to stand behind a product obviously out of warranty and with a second owner to boot. Just my opinion, but I think that is asking a little much. I am very sorry to see you have a problem, but I think you need to go back to the person you bought it from not Autobuffs.

 

I have over 15 customers with Auto Buffs painted parts that I see regularly and I have not seen any problems, this should have been handled in private e-mails and not posted on a public forum. Your a second owner what kind of warranty should there be? Most warranties are intended for the orginal owner and once the item is sold there is no warranty. I guess I am different than most people here but if you drive a 40k to 50k car than the price to get a surge tank painted is like filling the gas tank a few times, oh yea here is some "poor quality" Auto Buffs work.

 

[QUOTE]I have over 15 customers with Auto Buffs painted parts that I see regularly and I have not seen any problems, this should have been handled in private e-mails and not posted on a public forum. Your a second owner what kind of warranty should there be? Most warranties are intended for the orginal owner and once the item is sold there is no warranty. I guess I am different than most people here but if you drive a 40k to 50k car than the price to get a surge tank painted is like filling the gas tank a few times, oh yea here is some "poor quality" Auto Buffs work.

Nobody here is doubting, that his work does not look good! :rolleyes:

 

I've got over 20,000 miles (track and road) on my tanks and they look like the day I bought them. Noels working on a new set for my Z06 right now. :D

I do agree that forum members should exhaust all options with the supplier priviatly before posting grivences on the forum. Dispite years of quality products and great service, I'ts obvious how easy it is to loose customers just with a few words. What would we be driving today if we put the same standards to our cars.

Ken