Zen Hood Seals...Possible NLA

[ExtMfg]

How much would have to be orderd for them to make it? It seems like a very good alternative to the evo seals and the demand should be pretty high. The evo ones on ebay are going for 64 shipped have you thought of selling your kits there?

[DCColegrove]

The one little company if found here just doesn't have the ability to do it so...

It looks like (at least for the moment... I am continuing the search) that what I have is all there is. The initial minimum order is just too much for me to lay out.

Even if I stay with the current manufacturer (who has already given their workforce here in the US the big "fuck you...them's the brakes...good luck on your job search" I would have to order in too large of a quantity for me to handle.

All I can say is... Well...Fuck.

[DCColegrove]

When I first saw these for sale, I thought it was a interesting product and something that I would like to buy...but not for more than $15. Its hard to justify spending more than that for a nonessential piece when half of the parts on our cars are in need of maintenance.

True, these are not necessary...at least not at speeds below 120 mph.

I refuse to believe there is no way for a Chinese company to reproduce quality weatherstripping material. Most of those companies are set up by American capital investment anyway.

I would definitely agree with your assessment that the price point higher than it is now makes the item much less palatable...

They could make the product in China, they could make it to the standard I want...It's been my long hard experience that they won't.

[Lurker27]

I refuse to believe there is no way for a Chinese company to reproduce quality weatherstripping material. Most of those companies are set up by American capital investment anyway.

I would definitely agree with your assessment that the price point higher than it is now makes the item much less palatable...

[DCColegrove]

They're fucking HOOD SEALS... farm it out to China for $4.75 a pair (including tariffs).

hahahaha no shit/ we arent talking artificial hearts here

It's the principal as much as a quality issue.

One main point of not going with offshore manufacture (aside from quality) is my whole "thing" is: supplying the best shit ever. Made Here (or of O.E. origin).

As to quality there is off the shelf stuff from Mainland China it's fine for about 3 months as long as you never take it out in the sun or get anything on it.

Yeah, can't you just purchase the mold off the company and take it to another manufacturer?

The mold isn't special the formula and time involved is what is important.

[///M42 sport]

When I first saw these for sale, I thought it was a interesting product and something that I would like to buy...but not for more than $15. Its hard to justify spending more than that for a nonessential piece when half of the parts on our cars are in need of maintenance.

[blunttech]

They're fucking HOOD SEALS... farm it out to China for $4.75 a pair (including tariffs).

hahahaha no shit/ we arent talking artificial hearts here

[BrewCity11]

As someone who runs a small business that involves manufacturing...Go with the lower price manufacturing. If you're getting these molded from rubber, do you own the mold/die itself? That's pretty important info. I don't know the detail on the mold, but it can't be too high....

Yeah, can't you just purchase the mold off the company and take it to another manufacturer?

[Lurker27]

As someone who runs a small business that involves manufacturing...Go with the lower price manufacturing. If you're getting these molded from rubber, do you own the mold/die itself? That's pretty important info. I don't know the detail on the mold, but it can't be too high....

[brandon11130]

They're fucking HOOD SEALS... farm it out to China for $4.75 a pair (including tariffs).

I aggree, its not like dryroting after 5 years is going to cause catostropic failure of anything under the hood. Just lower the price a tad.

[KenC]

They're fucking HOOD SEALS... farm it out to China for $4.75 a pair (including tariffs).

[clavinZERO]

Can you get Asian test samples?

[cactusjacks1]

Dan,
Sacrificing quality is the "slippery slope". When you have built a business on products with superior craftsmanship, you will always have a value added ability on your prices & remain a perceived cut above the competition. Lower your quality & you join the rest of them swinging it out in the pit. Let's hope your deal with the small mfg. in So Ca comes about.

Jack

[BrewCity11]

Second - the above comment seems a bit odd on a German car forum. ;)

x1000 lol

But, in any case, i wouldn't give up so easliy in trying to find another local (stateside at least) manufacturer to make these. I'd put money on it that if you keep looking, it'll only be a matter of days/weeks before you find them

[Sam Cogley]

(The other thing is that I'm a bit of an Patriot, Protectionist, Perfectionist)

First off, I got my seals today, they look great. I'll get them installed soon (maybe this weekend).

Second - the above comment seems a bit odd on a German car forum. ;)

Finally, I do understand your issues with asian QC.