Bezel Policy

[Tom]

I took a few minutes to provide additional info on how to get your free Carpokes bezels. We've had a lot of new people join the site and ask for these (which is awesome -- a very warm welcome to all) so it's been harder and harder to keep up with the requests. As always, I send to active Carpokeans first, so thought I'd formalize that a bit with a 'policy' that I posted here:

https://tinyurl.com/CPBezels

It doesn't change what I've been doing really, and exceptions are the norm, but I thought I'd spell it out to add a little clarity, and to give the new members a heads up.

In the meantime, I've been actively working to increase my production capacity, so all active Carpokeans can get bezels without the long waits some have experienced in the past... Check it out....

paint-station1.jpg (1.26 MiB) Viewed 1808 times

For the Mode Dial covers, I get a shinier/smoother top ring if I let them dry upside down after painting. I previously had a super inefficient means of doing that, so built this painting and drying station...

paint-station2.jpg (1.07 MiB) Viewed 1808 times

I 3D printed these mounting pieces for the ends of the painting dowels. They are printed in a rubbery material (ninjaflex) and make a perfect paint stand for the Mode Dial covers.

paint-station3.jpg (919.23 KiB) Viewed 1808 times

In addition to holding the part, the mounting pieces effectively masks the inside of the cover and do a much better job of masking than the painters tape I was tediously applying to each one in the past.

[Acropora]

I took a few minutes to provide additional info on how to get your free Carpokes bezels. We've had a lot of new people join the site and ask for these (which is awesome -- a very warm welcome to all) so it's been harder and harder to keep up with the requests. As always, I send to active Carpokeans first, so thought I'd formalize that a bit with a 'policy' that I posted here:

https://tinyurl.com/CPBezels

It doesn't change what I've been doing really, and exceptions are the norm, but I thought I'd spell it out to add a little clarity, and to give the new members a heads up.

In the meantime, I've been actively working to increase my production capacity, so all active Carpokeans can get bezels without the long waits some have experienced in the past... Check it out....



paint-station1.jpg
For the Mode Dial covers, I get a shinier/smoother top ring if I let them dry upside down after painting. I previously had a super inefficient means of doing that, so built this painting and drying station...



paint-station2.jpg
I 3D printed these mounting pieces for the ends of the painting dowels. They are printed in a rubbery material (ninjaflex) and make a perfect paint stand for the Mode Dial covers.



paint-station3.jpg
In addition to holding the part, the mounting pieces effectively masks the inside of the cover and do a much better job of masking than the painters tape I was tediously applying to each one in the past.

It almost looks like a full production line, time to sign a contract with Porsche to supply them with parts
We don’t need to rely on Ukraine to produce parts for Porsche

[raykhublal]

This is awesome! I admire your dedication and the work you are putting into these projects-thanks again!

[Tom]

This is awesome! I admire your dedication and the work you are putting into these projects-thanks again!

Check your PM's -- your mode dial cover is ready -- just need your address

[Bill in Bama]

Now why in the world do they dry shinier upside down? And whatever prompted you to try it? Thanks again for the mode switch cover, this reminded me I've got to pay you for the shipping. And I'm considering a chrono bezel to match the mode switch. Decisions, decisions....

[hoonie13]

Tom, your work is phenomenal.
Behind great product lies many processes. Amazing

[Tom]

Now why in the world do they dry shinier upside down? And whatever prompted you to try it? Thanks again for the mode switch cover, this reminded me I've got to pay you for the shipping. And I'm considering a chrono bezel to match the mode switch. Decisions, decisions....

I starting hanging bezels upside down to dry with the base coat of the two-part paints, because it’s very runny and would constantly thin out over the upper edge/ridge if the bezels, and the plastic would show through. I kept adding more coats trying get it to cover fully, which caused other issues when I put the clear over it. One day I just flipped the wet part upside down so the paint would flow down over the upper ridge, and that did the trick finally. I then tried the same thing with the thicker single stage paints like Rustoleum, and discovered that it helps with the shine because of the same reason. Instead of the paint flowing down and showing any imperfections in the top ring, this way it gets thicker and forms a glass-like surface — essentially giving that wet paint look even after it dries.

[gareth911]

Thanks Tom, your work looks great.

[Michael269]

Looking good!

[Jeankysti]

These look awesome, great job sir and thank you for your efforts!