DGM CF Quality?

[Ryoga28]

Just wondering how perfect of a grill should I be expecting from DGM. Since it's handmade, are cracks and bubbles expected?

Pic 1-irregular weave
Pic 2-Cracks near the edge
Pic 3-bubbles on the bottom edge (couldn't get the camera focused)

 

[meGrimlock]

interested to find out too. they seem to offer most CF products out there for the protege. those pics are nice, but one small tip for anyone taking closeups is holding the camera a far enough distance so that you can zoom in all the way & focus in correctly. unless you have a special lens, most cameras dont focus well when you're less than a foot away from your subject.

 

[yashart_mp3]

Honestly, everything i have purchased from DG has been slightly off. Since everything is hand made and CF is hard to work with, i just figured this was normal.... I have little bubbles, or holes in the weave, or little pits on almost every piece. 90% of it is not noticable from a foot away, but I am like you... I would have thought everything would have been perfect...

 

[MazdaManic5]

my grill looked the same. Give them a call though if it bothers you. Mine looked sweet.

 

[Pirana]

I wont say anything....

 

[Ryoga28]

Ok, so it seems like it's a normal thing then.

It's just that after getting a seibon hood with a perfect weave and hearing about DGM qaulity, I just thought it would be the same way.

If I took the splitter and put it against the sunlight, I could see thru 50% of it.

 

[ForceFed]

I wont say anything....

Good answer...I have my own opions on the DG line of products...but to sum it up...this seems to be normal quality for DG. You would think it would be better for the price you pay.

 

[tekkie]

wow I hope mine does not show up like

 

[Reffoxel]

I have several DGM parts rear wing, the most of the interior stuff and the grill.
First off, let me say, I have been super pleased with everything I got. However, when I first got my grill it too had several bubbles and pits as well as cracks mainly in the tight radius's and corners. I called, I took pictures (and made sure you could see the problems in the pictures) sent them to DGM and they replaced it with no hassles. The replacement was awesome. I don't know how many of you have ever worked with carbon fiber or even fiberglass (they are basically the same thing just different reinforcement material) but tight radius's and very complex shapes are not easy to make especially when you're trying to do it with a single piece of reinforcement material. removing bubbles is really difficult on the tight radius's, and the cracking is due to trimming excess material off. So give them a call. Take some better pictures of the problem areas. If they want them send them. And more than likely you'll get a replacement piece. The folks at DGM have really good customer service. If for whatever reason, they are not able to give you a replacement, or you HAVE to have it NOW. the problems you have (except the weave thing) are actually pretty easy to fix. Take it to a good fiberglassing shop. the bubbles, cracks can be filled (or blobbed as my body guy called it) so that they are not visible anymore (we had to do that on my roof cause we weren't able to vacuum mold it, so ended up with a few bubbles.). They can use a tiny drill bit and bore to the bubble and inject resin in, then sand excess off and then shoot some clear on it.

 

[ChefChris]

I have got a few things, and to be honest none of them really look good, I am real anal about my car so I havent found any peices yet I would use. For as much as the pieces cost I really expected more, but maybe I expect alot. To be honest maybe CF isnt the way to go, unless your using it for the propose intended, or painting it.

ChefChris

 

[Ryoga28]

I have several DGM parts rear wing, the most of the interior stuff and the grill.
First off, let me say, I have been super pleased with everything I got. However, when I first got my grill it too had several bubbles and pits as well as cracks mainly in the tight radius's and corners. I called, I took pictures (and made sure you could see the problems in the pictures) sent them to DGM and they replaced it with no hassles. The replacement was awesome. I don't know how many of you have ever worked with carbon fiber or even fiberglass (they are basically the same thing just different reinforcement material) but tight radius's and very complex shapes are not easy to make especially when you're trying to do it with a single piece of reinforcement material. removing bubbles is really difficult on the tight radius's, and the cracking is due to trimming excess material off. So give them a call. Take some better pictures of the problem areas. If they want them send them. And more than likely you'll get a replacement piece. The folks at DGM have really good customer service. If for whatever reason, they are not able to give you a replacement, or you HAVE to have it NOW. the problems you have (except the weave thing) are actually pretty easy to fix. Take it to a good fiberglassing shop. the bubbles, cracks can be filled (or blobbed as my body guy called it) so that they are not visible anymore (we had to do that on my roof cause we weren't able to vacuum mold it, so ended up with a few bubbles.). They can use a tiny drill bit and bore to the bubble and inject resin in, then sand excess off and then shoot some clear on it.

That's good to hear. I just emailed Amie regarding my problems and hopefully it'll be resolved without any headaches.

I remember sometime ago (around november 2005) they had two flawed grills for sale for $185 and after reading that thread, I realized I have both of the flaws (cracks and flawed weaves).

 

[Ryoga28]

More pics

Tried to take more pics, but I couldn't a good pic of the bubbles (2nd pic with the red rectangle)

 

[Ryoga28]

I was hoping to receive a grill which was similar in quality as shown in these posts
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showpost.php?p=563001&postcount=134

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showpost.php?p=563005&postcount=135

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showpost.php?p=563011&postcount=139

 

[jomoyo069]

do u have to take off the front bumper to install it?

 

[Action Jackson]

Digital cameras have a "Macro" feature designed for users to take up close pictures. You'll need to hold the camera very steady. A tripod helps.

You can turn off the flash and use an external light to show details, otherwise the flash drowns out the details you're trying to show.

I've attached some examples. Sorry for the big sized one.
<O</O

Back on topic. My used DGM CF rear wing is decent quality. Parts of it you can see light through very clearly. Plus the tolerances for the stock third brake light could've been tighter. Overall I'm happy with it.

At least it's not a Ractive CF product..

 

[Omar MSP]

i dunno but mines jus had some holes on the weaves... but i can't see it from a distance... or even on this shot...

i can't complain, it looks great none the less...

 

[Ryoga28]

Looks like everything is going to be taken care of. Amie will try to find a better one.

Btw, shipping cost for these grills are a b****...It cost me $52 to have it shipping from the ups store because I had thrown away the box the day I got the grill.

 

[Johndg]

Hello all,
Let me start off by sayin that I very much am anal about the quality of my parts as well. I do not make the parts myself so I cannot say what the deal is, but I have seen it being made and let me tell you it isnt very easy at all to mold with. Please give DG a little slack because we try to give you the best price and best quality we can. If any of you have any problems we will do all in our power to make you happy. Once again I am sorry if any of you are unhappy and I hope you all continue to do business with us. We will be at Mazdafest next month and hope to see you all there.
John

 

[UnNaturalinc]

I have a large number of DG products on my car... I'd consider them to be high quality based on the fact they are hand laid products w/ numerous curves in many cases.

DG makes some stuff other companies never would... tweaking in the weave around those tight corners is impossible to eliminate.

 

[GrandBelialKey]

Please give DG a little slack because we try to give you the best price and best quality we can. If any of you have any problems we will do all in our power to make you happy. Once again I am sorry if any of you are unhappy and I hope you all continue to do business with us.

yeah! dg is a great company supplying the communitaw with good products at really good prices.