| Author | Message | ||
| Chris Coffing (Valence)
Junior Member Username: Valence Post Number: 53 Registered: 3-2003 |
I think this post is related to a recent post of mine in the main discussion area. If any of you are interested in replacing 348/355 interior parts with carbon fiber, we'll be offering the complete set soon. Right now, it's just the 348 shifter console. See our website for pics. About the vents, for those who are interested in carbon fiber, please read and respond to the following. I know a lot of you aren't interested in carbon - that's fine - this is for those who are. ---Hello all, one of our current carbon fiber projects involves the interior vents of the 348 and 355. Apparently, these get sticky like the rest of the interior parts, and we want to offer a solution that matches the rest of our carbon fiber interior upgrades. Unfortunately, the vent assemblies (one center and two sides) are very complicated little gadgets, and I'm afraid an entirely-carbon fiber version will be cost-prohibitive. So, we've come up with two alternatives to replacing the entire unit. The first is a carbon fiber housing 'only'. The moving louvered pieces would pop into the carbon housings, so you'd basically have a stock vent with a ring of carbon fiber around it. Cost would probably run about $500 for the set. The second option is a 3-D trim piece which would cover the exposed (sticky) parts of the vent housings, but again, not the moving louvered pieces. This would be held in place with tabs and/or thin 2-side tape, and would conform to the contours of the vent housings. Cost would probably be closer to $250 for the set. I'm not the biggest fan of carbon "overlays," but in this case it might be the best option, especially since it's 3-dimensional, curving in toward the dash at the edges of the vent housings, as opposed to a flat stick-on sheet. Thanks for all your input - we want to make the best possible product for all of you who are interested in this type of upgrade. -Chris Coffing Valence USA, LLC [email protected] www.valenceusa.com | ||
| Craig A (Milo)
Junior Member Username: Milo Post Number: 233 Registered: 4-2003 |
Interesting... no screws... just pull it out. Will do. As for the symbols... I may give it a try then. Maybe I will have the same success. They are a little off-white right now so a little cleaning wouldn't hurt them.  | ||
| Jim Hilton (Colo348)
New member Username: Colo348 Post Number: 19 Registered: 5-2003 |
Craig (Milo) Did'nt see the post on the "How do get the central vent out". This one is easier than the LH/RH vents. I took both hands one on top, one on the bottom and with 50% force wiggled and pulled. Once you get a start you can use something soft to GENTLY help in lifting the central vent up. This vent comes out as a unit. Becareful of the plastic clips that hold it in place. Take your time. Note: There was a thread a while back that recommended using a coated wire to aid in pulling this vent out. This works, but I've done it so many time it's cake now using hands. Good luck, Jim Hilton | ||
| Jim Hilton (Colo348)
New member Username: Colo348 Post Number: 18 Registered: 5-2003 |
Craig (Milo) - The symbols on the central vent? If you mean the white symbols for open/close and air direction they did not come off when I cleaned the vent. I did however avoid this area as much as I could. Hope this helps. Jim Hilton | ||
| Craig A (Milo)
Junior Member Username: Milo Post Number: 230 Registered: 4-2003 |
While we're on the subject... How do you go about getting the center vent out? Where is that first screw to get you started? | ||
| Jeff Edison (Euro308guy)
Member Username: Euro308guy Post Number: 363 Registered: 7-2002 |
guys, I scrubbed all the rubber off of the vents and center console in my 348TT. Then I painted it satin black. I've got to say, it looks great! I prefer it's subtle differences to the factory rubber coating. I can recommend it. The whole thing took one night of scrubbing and a few minutes to repaint. Removal and installation is a snap. | ||
| Craig A (Milo)
Junior Member Username: Milo Post Number: 214 Registered: 4-2003 |
Thanks Frank. I'll give them a call. | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Intermediate Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 2348 Registered: 9-2001 |
Craig, I bought replacement a/c vents for my ex-348 at TRutlands, 770.493.8852. | ||
| john beaucher (Spider348)
Junior Member Username: Spider348 Post Number: 70 Registered: 11-2002 |
Refinished my 348 spider coated parts with a Rustoleum Rubberized coating. The resultant finish is a bit more textured than satin/ flat black paint. Certainly an improvement over the original damaged coating. Appears durable and easily cleaned. Cannot quantify how close this finish is to the original Ferrari coating. The other 4 spiders I viewed had varying degrees of finish damage. | ||
| Craig A (Milo)
Junior Member Username: Milo Post Number: 210 Registered: 4-2003 |
Replacement is an option for some pieces but not all pieces. I can't find the vents for example. If you know of someone that sells the vents please let me know. | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Intermediate Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 2346 Registered: 9-2001 |
If you will replace them and NEVER use any dressings on them and clean only with water they will last a long time. It is the dressings and cleaners that cause them to deteriorate and get sticky over time. | ||
| Craig A (Milo)
Junior Member Username: Milo Post Number: 209 Registered: 4-2003 |
I've done the same thing with mine. I've done just about every piece in the interior that has the melting rubber material on it. The only thing left is the center vent. I'm holding off on this in hopes of figuring out how to get the symbols back on it when it's all cleaned up. Jim, you have done the vents. Were you able to paint the symbols back on the vent plate or did you just leave them off? I've thought about making decals for them. I have buddies in Model Rocketry that make their own decals. | ||
| Jim Hilton (Colo348)
New member Username: Colo348 Post Number: 16 Registered: 5-2003 |
Steve & Group, I have a 348 and just went through cleaning the rubberized material from L/R and center vents as well as the ashtray, around the stick shift and AC/Heater controls. I used denatured alcohol (no cocktails please) to clean the gue off. I just left the clean black plastic after the cleaning, looks good. You can use warm soapy water, but this takes too much time for me. Hope this will help you out. Gook Luck, Jim Hilton | ||
| j scott leonard (Jscott)
Member Username: Jscott Post Number: 457 Registered: 1-2002 |
Art: I just painted the plastic with a flat black and it looks great. I know that a couple folks are fabricating carbon fiber pieces but the cleaned, sanded and painted surface looks just fine in my opinion. It's a mess to do, put on some rubber gloves, scrub with strong laundry detergent and a stiff brush, sand and paint. Took about an evening to do. | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Intermediate Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 1871 Registered: 6-2001 |
I've got the same issue, is it possible to replace the rubberize material, or do you just paint it over, after cleaning? Art | ||
| j scott leonard (Jscott)
Member Username: Jscott Post Number: 456 Registered: 1-2002 |
Not too difficult. Did it a couple of weeks ago, see the thread on (I think, 348 interior question). Takes some elbow grease. | ||
| Bruce R. Morehead (Brm)
New member Username: Brm Post Number: 28 Registered: 4-2002 |
This has been covered several times. Do a search and you will find a couple of ways to remove and refinish the parts. Basics are to remove the part, wash off the finish and repaint with satin black paint. | ||
| steve (Honky)
New member Username: Honky Post Number: 26 Registered: 5-2002 |
I can never understand why Ferrari use that horribe rubber-type material around the gear stick. Why? I presume everyone in semi-warm countries - and certainly in Italy has the same problem with it melting. Anyone any suggestions with what to do with it - is it possible to actually clean it up - or better to replace it (how much?) thanks |