Bespoke Audi A2 Armrest Bracket and Trim (A6 C5) Group Order

[Sootywg]

Trust me Paul I did try moving it back but it doesn't change anything, the parts are out at the top and the bottom, the bracket doesn't fit into the largest centre piece of plastic so that is also an issue. Believe me I wanted this to work, slight gaps ect I can deal with but this is simply a mess, I feel for you as I'm sure it's a disappointment but I feel your frustration.
I'm going to have to remove it as it doesn't look pretty at all.
I will send you my bank details for the refund, I paid £35 to you for the plastic as @A2Steve gifted me his bracket and that works just fine.

Regards, Mark.

I thought I had similar problems with mine when I first tried to fit it. I believe the problem lies with the correct fitting of the bracket. It’s exact position is critical to the trim fitting correctly. I am having a PM dialogue with @depronman https://www.a2oc.net/community/index.php?members/14199/ to validate my thoughts

 

[Proghound]

@Mka306 I mentioned on the other thread you posted this on Mark, did you trim the protruding end off the armrest's own mounting bracket? Believe this is crucial for getting the plastics to fit it, as they are designed for the most rearward that the armrest can be made to go. This is in order to provide better access to the handbrake with the armrest down..

 

[Mka306]

@Mka306 I mentioned on the other thread you posted this on Mark, did you trim the protruding end off the armrest's own mounting bracket? Believe this is crucial for getting the plastics to fit it, as they are designed for the most rearward that the armrest can be made to go. This is in order to provide better access to the handbrake with the armrest down..

The bracket is all good Ian, it's not the issue I'm sorry to say. Thanks for the thought it's always appreciated.

 

[Sootywg]

The bracket is all good Ian, it's not the issue I'm sorry to say. Thanks for the thought it's always appreciated.

As I mentioned in an earlier response I believe it is the bracket positioning and possibly some trimming of the bracket that is needed for the trim to fit correctly. Paul has suggested that I post the notes I sent to him as it may help others.

“Paul
I have seen the posts of those who have concerns over the fit of the trim panels. I thought my comments might be useful in identifying the possible causes. Firstly I don’t think the problem lies with the trim pieces but with the bracket and positioning
Whilst the bracket ‘fitted’ in place ‘out of the box’ I quickly discovered that:
a) it didn’t seat properly due to large lumps of weld on the forward bolt flange
b) the bracket was seating too far back making the trim distort heavily and not fit.
c) the front to back depth of the bracket was tight in the trim aperture.

In effect to make it work with the trim panels ‘as is’ I had to:
a) file flat the underside of the front slotted hole flange
b) make the other two holes slotted to allow it to slide forward
c) I had to trim pieces off the bracket at the back to clear the trim
d) I had to trim the curved horizontal plate to allow the bracket to slide forward to the limit of the front ‘slotted hole’. It was fouling against the ‘box’ in front of the bracket.
e) I also had to file back the rear of the alloy armrest base so it did not interfere with the trim. (Some people ar cutting off the rear ‘lug’ to allow the rest to move further back)
The overall front to back depth of the lower two trim pieces are only just a little larger than the base and bracket so unless it is in exactly the right position it pushes the trim out of line.
A point to note, on my armrest there was a rubber gasket around the underside, this has to be removed for the trim to push into the armrest trim.
All of the above is nothing more than ‘fettling’ and ‘fitting’ which is what I would expect with a small batch production of parts.
However if a new version for Batch 2 is being done then I think it could be reduced front to back depth, to allow a little more tolerance on the fitting position, plus the clearance needed to slide fully forward.”


Just waiting for the Plasti-dip to dry then I can post up picks of what I hope will be a good installation

Geoff

 

[Sootywg]

As I mentioned in an earlier response I believe it is the bracket positioning and possibly some trimming of the bracket that is needed for the trim to fit correctly. Paul has suggested that I post the notes I sent to him as it may help others.

“Paul
I have seen the posts of those who have concerns over the fit of the trim panels. I thought my comments might be useful in identifying the possible causes. Firstly I don’t think the problem lies with the trim pieces but with the bracket and positioning
Whilst the bracket ‘fitted’ in place ‘out of the box’ I quickly discovered that:
a) it didn’t seat properly due to large lumps of weld on the forward bolt flange
b) the bracket was seating too far back making the trim distort heavily and not fit.
c) the front to back depth of the bracket was tight in the trim aperture.

In effect to make it work with the trim panels ‘as is’ I had to:
a) file flat the underside of the front slotted hole flange
b) make the other two holes slotted to allow it to slide forward
c) I had to trim pieces off the bracket at the back to clear the trim
d) I had to trim the curved horizontal plate to allow the bracket to slide forward to the limit of the front ‘slotted hole’. It was fouling against the ‘box’ in front of the bracket.
e) I also had to file back the rear of the alloy armrest base so it did not interfere with the trim. (Some people ar cutting off the rear ‘lug’ to allow the rest to move further back)
The overall front to back depth of the lower two trim pieces are only just a little larger than the base and bracket so unless it is in exactly the right position it pushes the trim out of line.
A point to note, on my armrest there was a rubber gasket around the underside, this has to be removed for the trim to push into the armrest trim.
All of the above is nothing more than ‘fettling’ and ‘fitting’ which is what I would expect with a small batch production of parts.
However if a new version for Batch 2 is being done then I think it could be reduced front to back depth, to allow a little more tolerance on the fitting position, plus the clearance needed to slide fully forward.”


Just waiting for the Plasti-dip to dry then I can post up picks of what I hope will be a good installation

Geoff

Having Plasti-dip sprayed the trim pieces I installed the complete assembly after double checking the positioning of the bracket and clearances. This is the result. The clearance is still quite tight but worked fine. Very pleased with the final result and the finish of the Plasti-dip, though it currently looks quite a bit darker than the old Soul Black of the armrest. The contrast is stronger in the photo than in real life.
Note: adjusting the rake of the seats requires you to pull the front seats all the way forward to be able to grip the adjusting knobs!

 

[audifan]

OK , detailed fitting instructions were drawn up and were to be given to the buyers, that was the plan.

What is critical and only the person fitting can ensure is the positioning of the bracket. The plan was to only fit the bracket with the front nut and not too tight. Then test fit whatever trim was being fitted to get the best alignment and gaps. Only then were you to drill and fit the two rear mounting fasteners for the bracket and finally tighten the front nut. We were even going to give a fitting position for the bracket, but I felt the ability to fine tune the positioning so the trim was as good as possible more important.

 

[depronman]

Having Plasti-dip sprayed the trim pieces I installed the complete assembly after double checking the positioning of the bracket and clearances. This is the result. The clearance is still quite tight but worked fine. Very pleased with the final result and the finish of the Plasti-dip, though it currently looks quite a bit darker than the old Soul Black of the armrest. The contrast is stronger in the photo than in real life.
Note: adjusting the rake of the seats requires you to pull the front seats all the way forward to be able to grip the adjusting knobs!

Great fit of the arm rest - well done
Interesting that the colour is a little darker or is this the camera
Did you use matt black plasti dip ?
Mine looked a much closer match to the soul black of the centre consul and rear cup holder but it could just be the camera as they do tend to make colours look different especially if the flash is used

Cheers. Paul


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Sootywg]

Great fit of the arm rest - well done
Interesting that the colour is a little darker or is this the camera
Did you use matt black plasti dip ?
Mine looked a much closer match to the soul black of the centre consul and rear cup holder but it could just be the camera as they do tend to make colours look different especially if the flash is used

Cheers. Paul


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No flash used but the contrast does look greater than irl, Plasti Dip Matt black was the finish used, are there different manufacturers?

 

[depronman]

No flash used but the contrast does look greater than irl, Plasti Dip Matt black was the finish used, are there different manufacturers?

Not sure there is plasti dip made in the USA and made in I’m under licence The seller I bought from made a big thing about made in USA The can is marked up in fluid oz not grams

No idea if the colour would be different though, but this is the stuff I used

There is plasti coat as against plasti dip which is a totally different product. I assume you did use plasti dip ?


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[Sootywg]

Not sure there is plasti dip made in the USA and made in I’m under licence The seller I bought from made a big thing about made in USA The can is marked up in fluid oz not grams

No idea if the colour would be different though, but this is the stuff I used

There is plasti coat as against plasti dip which is a totally different product. I assume you did use plasti dip ?


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This is what I used

 

[depronman]

This is what I used

That is exactly what I have been using
How many coats did you apply ? I experimented a little and found that one light mist coat then wait 20 mins then on heavier coat applied at 90deg to the first coat
More coats seemed to deepen the black colour which was not desirable as soul black is more dark grey or charcoal than a true black


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[Sootywg]

That is exactly what I have been using
How many coats did you apply ? I experimented a little and found that one light mist coat then wait 20 mins then on heavier coat applied at 90deg to the first coat
More coats seemed to deepen the black colour which was not desirable as soul black is more dark grey or charcoal than a true black


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That might be the reason, In total I did 4 coats as it seemed to build up the texture quite well and hide any slight imperfections in the preparation.

 

[depronman]

That is likely it then
You could try a VERY light rub with scotch brite just to take the sheen off it which normally looses a little of the black as well or leave it as is and see if it fades a little over time

Paul


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[depronman]

Mka306 plastic arrived back on Friday and today I found half hour to investigate the issue he had.
I only received back the lower and middle sections but the upper section is the simplest to print so I don’t think the results would be any different if I had used the one supplier or the spare one I had printed.
Anyway I took my own apart and fitted the plastics I supplied to Mka306 and the fit was perfect as per my own painted plastics.
So the only conclusion I can come to is the either the top section was fitted to the arm rest without removing the rubber seal that Audi fitted in to the bracket or the bracket was fitted into the wrong position.
My phone was flat as it didn’t dock on the wireless charging station last night hence no photons taken

Cheers. Paul


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