I will be getting rid of my APC Altezzas because they phukin suck!! (Yes, I do have feelings on this! Sorry for harsh language!) They have moisture inside, and the edges of the silver part are rotting off, and turning brown!! I will change to Carbon Fiber. Anyone have any problems with Carbon fiber?
APC Altezzas Suck
- Thread starter LinuxRacr
- Start date
- :
- '07 Mazda3, True red
temper temper...
dude, i get some condensation but it goes away, as far as the brown...i haven't looked, but i will asap.
dude, i get some condensation but it goes away, as far as the brown...i haven't looked, but i will asap.
the APC Carbon Fiber Altezzas are exactly the same as the non-carbon fiber ones from a moisture and durability standpoint..
I used to have the chrome altezzas for the Protege back in January of 2001 when they were first introduced.. and they fogged up, so I sold them before the problem became major..
this fogging/moisture issue is common not with just our cars but with all altezza styled tail lenses on all cars.. the problem stems from that they're made by who knows what machines in Taiwan or the Philipines (sp.) not to O.E.M. specs.. they're not made by Stanley for god sakes
if you decide to get altezzas again.. seal them up with silicone around any potential leak in spots, which especially include near the top of the lenses where water will fall in from the trunk's weatherstripping.. I put silicone on my Carbon Fiber set currently on the car, it's been a couple months and everything is good so far and will be.. just take your time.. spend like 20 minutes per lense just sealing them up really good.. then let the silicone harden per-se for about 8-12 hours.. and put them on the car..
silicone smells bad btw.. dont expose yourself to it TOO long!
good luck
I used to have the chrome altezzas for the Protege back in January of 2001 when they were first introduced.. and they fogged up, so I sold them before the problem became major..
this fogging/moisture issue is common not with just our cars but with all altezza styled tail lenses on all cars.. the problem stems from that they're made by who knows what machines in Taiwan or the Philipines (sp.) not to O.E.M. specs.. they're not made by Stanley for god sakes
if you decide to get altezzas again.. seal them up with silicone around any potential leak in spots, which especially include near the top of the lenses where water will fall in from the trunk's weatherstripping.. I put silicone on my Carbon Fiber set currently on the car, it's been a couple months and everything is good so far and will be.. just take your time.. spend like 20 minutes per lense just sealing them up really good.. then let the silicone harden per-se for about 8-12 hours.. and put them on the car..
silicone smells bad btw.. dont expose yourself to it TOO long!
good luck
Hey LinuxRacr...Love the avatar! VERY NICE 
Now, How about some clear tails?
Like these...
(Artist conception, not an actual product)
Most ALL of your aftermarket lights WILL have problems with not sealing properly. The best thing to do is when you first get them use some silicone around the edges of the light to seal them from moisture.
Now, How about some clear tails?
Like these...
(Artist conception, not an actual product)
Most ALL of your aftermarket lights WILL have problems with not sealing properly. The best thing to do is when you first get them use some silicone around the edges of the light to seal them from moisture.
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- :
- '07 Mazda3, True red
wtf?
how did you do that? and also, is your car dropped or is it ps...and if it is, then with what?
how did you do that? and also, is your car dropped or is it ps...and if it is, then with what?
aphat01mp3
Member
my CF euros are doing it also they suck but i dont know what to do about it
I personally don't care for the look....but that is MY preference...the stockers look better on the yellow car....but that is another thread...excuse my diversion.
HOWEVER.....
I ALSO have a REAL problem with ANY part you buy and have to perform a REPAIR to it just to make it perform as it should....that just means you got a POS replacement part.....if it won't perform as well as the stock unit....don't buy it...it only promotes company's to make shoddy parts that LOOK some way...but in fact are compromising the quality of your ride.
HOWEVER.....
I ALSO have a REAL problem with ANY part you buy and have to perform a REPAIR to it just to make it perform as it should....that just means you got a POS replacement part.....if it won't perform as well as the stock unit....don't buy it...it only promotes company's to make shoddy parts that LOOK some way...but in fact are compromising the quality of your ride.
Ah but you are forgetting Sir Nuke that I'm sure these guys didn't actually know they'd be getting a product that was below standards. 
If I were you guys though, at the very least I'd write a letter to the manufacturer and complain about their product. I'm sure you spent some decent coin on them and shouldn't have to just throw em out as you haven't done anything wrong....they should replace them or give you your money back.
If I were you guys though, at the very least I'd write a letter to the manufacturer and complain about their product. I'm sure you spent some decent coin on them and shouldn't have to just throw em out as you haven't done anything wrong....they should replace them or give you your money back.
I actually sent back a pair of CF's to Nopi (due to condensation after about 2 weeks) and they hooked me up with a new set and paid for my shipping of the old ones back to them. (good company/Cust. Serv.) but the new ones have started to get it also...I like the silicone idea, and I think I'll try it instead of going through the trouble agian of sending it back...
One question though...what happens when a bulb goes out?
One question though...what happens when a bulb goes out?
BigBlue said:Ah but you are forgetting Sir Nuke that I'm sure these guys didn't actually know they'd be getting a product that was below standards.
WELL maybe they didn't at the time....but I have read about this problem on MANY a borad...and everyone just seems to let it go and to glue them up and go on. Ya gotta do your homework when buying aftermarket parts. and from my experiences in the Modding department for at least 20 years.....the making of cosmitic stuff is the WORST offenders of crappy craftsmenship.
You are SOOO Right! Sir Nuke, but if you want the "Look" then you have to do what you have to do. Unless 500 people will get off their duffs and complian this is the way it will be. So send a letter to the company that made the product and then seal them up and go on, that way atleast it gets noticed by the manufactuer(sp?)
As for scott42...You use the silicone around the edges of the light housing where it "SHOULD" have been used in the first place from the manufactuer. So it will not cause you any problems when it comes time to change the bulbs.
As for scott42...You use the silicone around the edges of the light housing where it "SHOULD" have been used in the first place from the manufactuer. So it will not cause you any problems when it comes time to change the bulbs.
thanks owner, my bad. Wasn't thining all the way through.
Sir Nuke, I agree that some research could be done, but I also think that Distributors/retailers should take some responsibility too. I like that nopi has helped me out, but they will keep getting faulty lights till I get some that work back from them. If they are run like a successful business, they will stop offering them, or bust APC's balls for sending them $hitty products. (even still, I really like the look of them) I usually hate cosmetic accessories, but the CF's just look too good. of course its all my opinion only
Sir Nuke, I agree that some research could be done, but I also think that Distributors/retailers should take some responsibility too. I like that nopi has helped me out, but they will keep getting faulty lights till I get some that work back from them. If they are run like a successful business, they will stop offering them, or bust APC's balls for sending them $hitty products. (even still, I really like the look of them) I usually hate cosmetic accessories, but the CF's just look too good. of course its all my opinion only
Scott.....I agree....but the bottom line is...THE BOTTOM LINE....if the company can make money off of them.....MOST companies will sell them if they are in the business of selling cosmetic dress up items...for the simple reason that they are popular...whether or not they are any good quality wise or not....in all my years of hotrodding, building, and modding cars....which I started on my first one over 25 years ago.....I have only found ONE SINGLE company that had such high standards that they would refuse to associate with ANY company that had lower quality parts that presented a problem like this....whether or not it could be repaired and made to work or not...for the owner had the same view as I did....if you can't supply a quality product that the consumer doesn't have to actually do a repair to BEFORE he installs it to ensure its performance...then HE wasn't putting his name anywhere near it.
and since in the business world its all about the BOTTOM LINE....people will continue to get inferior products because they won't stand up and say I HAVE HAD ENOUGH and I WILL NOT BUY YOUR CRAP. REGARDLESS IF IT MEANS I DO WITHOUT THE "STYLE".
and since in the business world its all about the BOTTOM LINE....people will continue to get inferior products because they won't stand up and say I HAVE HAD ENOUGH and I WILL NOT BUY YOUR CRAP. REGARDLESS IF IT MEANS I DO WITHOUT THE "STYLE".
