audi, production07.27.2010

We’ve done a few B8 A4/S4 carbon fiber sets of trim so far, but up until now they have all been the standard 11oz 2×2 twill (you can see some of those sets in the B8 gallery).

We recently got a bunch of B8 cores from Germany so we figured it would be time to start getting a little more custom with some of them.  I’m hoping to have these sets trimmed and sanded smooth sometime next week so I can clearcoat them.  I’ll post more pictures as I make further progress on them.

First is the 20oz 2×2 twill.  This is the same fabric found on the B7 RS4 OEM carbon fiber trim.  The weave is twice as thick as the standard 11oz 2×2 twill.  I’ve done some blog posts comparing the 20oz and 11oz in the past.  Side by side it becomes apparent how much nicer the 20oz is.

Few close ups of the 20oz.

Up next we have a harness satin weave, known as 8HS.  I believe this fabric is very similar to the B8 OEM carbon fiber trim.

Up close you can see how tight the weave is.

Few more shots of the 8HS.

Lastly we have another harness satin weave, but this time it is a 5HS.  It is basically the same thing as the 8HS but with thicker bunches of fiber.

Few close ups of the 5HS.

Lastly we have some B5 pics of the 8HS.  We’re also currently working on a B6/B7 set with the 5HS.  Hopefully I can post some updates on these sets soon.

audi07.19.2010

We’ve got most of the group buy sets laid with fiber and some resin applied.  More resin will be going down over the next few days.

audi, install guide07.13.2010

Lately I’ve had some customers have some trouble removing the front ashtray covers on their B6/B7 Audis, so I figured I would write up a little guide.  I think people tend to over complicate this step of the trim removal when it is actually quite simple.  Before we start, let me stress that you do not need to remove the whole ashtray from the car to remove the ashtray cover.  I have just done that for this guide because it will make it much easier to photograph.

B6/B7 Front Ashtray Cover Removal

Tools needed:

• Strong thumbs

Time required: 60 seconds

Difficulty: Super easy

First we will start with the rear ashtray because it works on the same principle as the front ashtray, but you can actually see the bottom of it.

Both ashtray covers have these pegs in them (the front ashtray has 3 of them, the rear ashtray has 2 of them).  Both lids have teeth that grasp the pegs and hold them in place.

On the rear ashtray you have to slide the cover forward while lifting up the tab.  This will unhook the teeth from the pegs and set the cover free.

Here you see the rear ashtray off of the lid.  The front ashtray bottom looks almost identical.

On to the front ashtray.  With the ashtray open, you can see the separation of the lid and the cover.  The goal is to use your thumbs on the lid to push it inward and use your fingers on the ashtray cover to slide it forward in the opposite direction.

So grip the ashtray like this (use both hands, I could only use one because I needed the other to take the picture) and move your thumbs in and pull your fingers towards you.

If you’ve done it correctly, you’ll free the pegs on the ashtray cover from the teeth on the lid.

Close the ashtray, and you should be able to just pull it straight up and out.

With the ashtray cover off, you can see the pegs and the teeth.

One last picture for reference: a lot of people assume they are removing the whole top of the ashtray, but as you can see from this image, that isn’t the case.  The lid that opens and closes remains connected to the ashtray assembly, you are just removing the decorative cover.

install guide07.09.2010

A3 Trim Removal Guide

Tools needed:

• Flathead screwdriver or interior trim tools
• Torx screw driver set

Time required: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

To remove the shifter piece, start by pulling up on the shift boot.  This will pop up the chrome ring.

Pull up  the ring and the  boot.

Work your fingers under the shifter trim at the base of the piece and carefully pull up.  Work your way around the shifter until all the tabs are out.

Twist the shifter trim and work it around the shift knob until it is free.

The ashtray is held in with two torx screws.  Remove the screws, lift up your shifter and the tray will slide forward, up, and out.

That is all there is to it.  Now you’re ready to swap in your new trim.

uncategorized07.07.2010

It only took 216 hours, 4 guys, 2 cranes, and a bunch of dirt but we are back up and running.  I’ll be spending the next few days updating customers on their orders and trying to get caught up.  I’ll be working overtime for the next week or two trying to get all outstanding orders up to speed, so feel free to email me (matt@ocarbon.com) if you have any questions or concerns about the status of your order.

Once again a big thanks goes out to all my customers that have been very supportive and understanding through this difficulty.  It is appreciated more than you know.

I came to the shop this morning after being told everything would be up and running by noon.  I arrived to find the hole filled up, but no one working on restoring power.

After a few phone calls and several hours, a crew finally showed up.

It would take two cranes to lift the concrete block and get the transformer back in place.

After four hours of steady work in 110F degree heat, they finally had everything back in place and the power back on.

I would learn from the crew afterwards that the plumbers responsible for the water main break had done a spotty job on repairing the pipes.  It had taken several attempts which is why the hole was not filled up until yesterday.  Had the pipes been fixed properly the first time, I would have had service resorted in 2 days.  Having the break happen right before a major holiday weekend didn’t help speed anything up either, but at least it is finally fixed.

Total estimated repair bill: $18,000 (thankfully I don’t have to pay for it).