Early Sun Visor clip orders PROTOTYPES ON TOUR

[benzportland]

UPDATE 3/11 - Thanks so much to Alfred and Scott for looking them over for fit and color.  Alfred noticed some "fit" issues and I have not heard from Scott yet but the input is extremely helpful, so we really need another volunteer to contact Scott and look them over.  Contact Scott (Scoot) or myself directly if you can help.   

UPDATE 12/11 - I received the samples, they look pretty good in my opinion but I want second (or third) opinions on them as mentioned before from those here who have originals.  There seemed to be some confusion on color as the guy sent black and grey, instead of grey and beige so I'll call him ASAP.  At least the mould is made and they look correct in terms of size and fit.  I'll keep everyone posted.....

UPDATE 11/18 - I finally have everything to the shop (sorry for the delays) and the tech is making the mould and should have some new samples out soon!  Based on the samples he was was sent, he thinks the grey and beige are the same actually, but we can resolve that through the new samples.  I'll keep everyone posted, thanks. 

Per the discussion on the post "Sun Visor Clips?" please note this will be the correct clip for the 230sl and the 250sl up to number 002979.  They will only fit the old style sunvisors.  For examples of new and old style visors, see the post "Remanufactured Sun Visors For Sale" and there are two very good pictures showing the difference. The clips available today from the Classic Center and other sources do not fit the early style sunvisors.  

I am estimating the cost as $25.00 pair, plus actual cost of shipping to your location.  They will ship from the US (Oregon).  This is the actual cost of the item, I am not trying to make any money on this venture.  When we get closer to production, the actual cost might be a bit higher or lower than $25.00. I am going to pay the fabricator up front so I would not need any payment from buyers until they are actually ready to ship.  

Also please note these will be the solid version clips; some versions are hollow and have a small metal support brace which goes inside.  The solid version is obviously much more feasible to reproduce.  It is my understanding that the solid version will fit the same exact footprint as the hollow one.  

As for colors, it seems they were either beige or gray.  Please specify your preference, and I believe we should be able to get either color.  A few here have mentioned they have original clips in very nice condition; I may ask them to send one clip to the fabricator for color accuracy, or to send a high-resolution picture.  

Please respond to this post indicating the number of clips you want, and your preferred color.  After awhile I will have a better idea of quantity and then get the order started.  I will order some extra as well, as I figure they will all sell eventually.  

Thanks
  

****Thanks all - I will keep checking and allow some more time for others to post here******

</b>UPDATE 9/10/08:  <b> Per Jerry's question I did get a message from the tech and he indicated there is no UV protection, so the item would fade and age just like the originals in direct sunlight.  I have asked him if there is any process/finish to prevent this and should hear back soon.

UPDATE - We will need a good grey sample if anyone has one to send to the shop.  I think we are covered on Beige, another member has a beige to send and I am sending mine.  In the meantime, I am making sure that the sample will not be cut/damaged/changed, and will be returned promptly.  Of course a broken / unuseable one would be ideal as again it is for color sample only.

[DaveB]

1 pair beige please.

[jszeman1]

1 pair beige please

[franjo_66]

And one more pair in beige please !

Thanks
Frank

[Paddy_Crow]

1 pair gray for me...

[Rolf]

1 pair of the beige ones please.

[paults1]

1 pair of beige please.
Paul S. '63 230SL

[Mike Hughes]

I will chime in for one pair of beige ones!

[66andBlue]

1 pair of beige

[blue230sl]

1 pair of beige please

[Paddy_Crow]

By the way, if I'm the only one going for gray I will gladly accept beige.

[jameshoward]

I have a late 230 - beige please. (So long as you don't mind sticking them in an envelope and via US Mail to the UK - happy to pay postage, of course!!)

James

[graphic66]

I would like a pair of biege also. Thank you for your time on this. My new clips don't work.

[jacovdw]

Sign me up for one pair of beige clips please.

Thank you,

[georgem]

A pair of grey please

George
230 sl

[waqas]

Sign me up for a pair of beige!  I may decide to get a second pair once the clips are in.

[hill]

One pair beige please.

[Mark280SL]

One pair beige for me also please.

[psmith]

I'd like a pair of gray please.  THANKS! for making this happen.

[dtuttle123]

Hi Kyle -

Put me down for 1 pair beige.

Doug

[114015]

Two pairs of beige please.

Thanks a lot
and best wishes,

Achim

[seattle_Jerry]

What is the fabrication process?

A picture on the computer screen for a color match doesn't work. Every monitor is different as are the cameras. Some display warm tones others cool.

If you send them a part they can use a pantone book of color samples to match the part as close as possible.

Make sure they add UV stabilizer.

If you need a metal insert, that is possible through a secondary operation. You drill an undersized hole and then use an ultrasonic welder to insert the metal. Lots of threaded knobs are made this way.

[seattle_Jerry]

Just read the other visor thread...
You don't need to manufacture new metal inserts. You already have them. Just reuse them in the new part.

We made lots of parts with expensive metal inserts. You placed the metal piece in the injection mold and then molded the plastic around them.
If the plastic part was bad, we would either cut away the plastic, or melt it away with a chemical to reuse the insert.

Molding is about balance. Parts are rarely injection molded in ones. 2,4,6,8 etc
It has to do with fluid dynamics.

Parts are also, as much as possible, made to be innerchangeable left and right. A mold will still make 2 at a time, but then there is no need to sort parts and less chance of errors in assembly.

[benzportland]

quote:Originally posted by seattle_Jerry

Just read the other visor thread...
You don't need to manufacture new metal inserts. You already have them. Just reuse them in the new part.

We made lots of parts with expensive metal inserts. You placed the metal piece in the injection mold and then molded the plastic around them.
If the plastic part was bad, we would either cut away the plastic, or melt it away with a chemical to reuse the insert.

Molding is about balance. Parts are rarely injection molded in ones. 2,4,6,8 etc
It has to do with fluid dynamics.

Parts are also, as much as possible, made to be innerchangeable left and right. A mold will still make 2 at a time, but then there is no need to sort parts and less chance of errors in assembly.

Hi Jerry - Sorry took so long to respond to this.  I am not sure of the exact fabrication process other than use of molds and injection.  But it will be handled by a firm in California that specializes in reproductions of plastic automotive parts.  Either here or in the other post it was discussed that part of the process as to color would include the firm sending us color samples for comparisons.  As for the metal insert version, the consensus seemed to be producing correct versions, so those who want the solid version will get those first, the hollow version for the metal insert ones possibly at a later time if there is enough interest.  Adding the metal clips basically doubled the cost after checking with a few firms, as you mention here there are ways of doing pretty easily but the cost does increase.

[seattle_Jerry]

You can always paint them...although the bigger concern in degradation is the brittleness of the parts.

We painted plastics parts all the time. Often it was when doing fiberglass filled resins (little hairs of fiberglass immersed in various plastics) or high tech plastics that were strong but ugly.