- Aug 25, 2006
- 4,436
Well here we go with another “Hot” = “Cool” idea.
For as long as I can remember folks have been having the buttons in their Sparco seats painted silver to make the interior even more retro looking not to mention the fact that the contrasting silver buttons IMO brings the interior to life.
I was informed sometime back that something exciting was coming to term and then within days I received many pictures of the pro-types as they were making their way through the typical R&D process. Even in the early stages I liked what I saw and then when the process finally came to term and I had the real deal in my hands I was impressed.
The following are a few pictures of my gal having the spun aluminum and then anodized buttons popped into place. Now before I address a few concerns that will likely be presented let me share that the time required to install the buttons is little more than 10 minutes per seat and requires no measurable effort, tools, or adhesives.
Initially I shared several concerns;
1. How would they be retained in position?
2. Would they get hot aka the term that was created “Hot Buttons”
3. How would they wear over time?
4. Could they be removed if one elects to return the gal back to the OEM black buttons or to repair a damaged one?
The original design required that they be bonded into place however over time the contours were changed and a rolled lip was incorporated until finally they simply press in and become locked into position without any adhesives.
As for whether they will collect heat while the gal sits in the sun during a hot summer day; IMO no as I have placed them in this environment and I can sense no greater heat at them when compared to the rest of the seat. I feel that this is because of how thin they are and because they are wrapped around the OEM plastic button as such as heat is drawn away from them; a built in heat sink of sorts.
Because the finish is anodized there is no doubt that they could be scratched if a sharp or ? object was to rub against them however this IMO is remote and then add to this they reside slightly below the actual leather seating surface as do the OEM plastic buttons which is one of the reason that the painted buttons have weathered the test of time.
Now can they be removed without secondary damage; absolutely however it takes a bit of effort which is a by-product of the fact that they are secured based on a close tolerance fit.
The only thing that I can think of that would further compliment these “Hot Buttons” would be matching top stitching around the perimeter of the seats.
I received the pieces to evaluate last week and understand that since that time at least 4 sets have been installed in other gals; in fact I received a phone call from one of the gal's owner a couple days ago sharing how excited he was and wondered what I thought about them. I shared with him as I feel; they are truly very cool.
Takes care
Shadowman
For as long as I can remember folks have been having the buttons in their Sparco seats painted silver to make the interior even more retro looking not to mention the fact that the contrasting silver buttons IMO brings the interior to life.
I was informed sometime back that something exciting was coming to term and then within days I received many pictures of the pro-types as they were making their way through the typical R&D process. Even in the early stages I liked what I saw and then when the process finally came to term and I had the real deal in my hands I was impressed.
The following are a few pictures of my gal having the spun aluminum and then anodized buttons popped into place. Now before I address a few concerns that will likely be presented let me share that the time required to install the buttons is little more than 10 minutes per seat and requires no measurable effort, tools, or adhesives.
Initially I shared several concerns;
1. How would they be retained in position?
2. Would they get hot aka the term that was created “Hot Buttons”
3. How would they wear over time?
4. Could they be removed if one elects to return the gal back to the OEM black buttons or to repair a damaged one?
The original design required that they be bonded into place however over time the contours were changed and a rolled lip was incorporated until finally they simply press in and become locked into position without any adhesives.
As for whether they will collect heat while the gal sits in the sun during a hot summer day; IMO no as I have placed them in this environment and I can sense no greater heat at them when compared to the rest of the seat. I feel that this is because of how thin they are and because they are wrapped around the OEM plastic button as such as heat is drawn away from them; a built in heat sink of sorts.
Because the finish is anodized there is no doubt that they could be scratched if a sharp or ? object was to rub against them however this IMO is remote and then add to this they reside slightly below the actual leather seating surface as do the OEM plastic buttons which is one of the reason that the painted buttons have weathered the test of time.
Now can they be removed without secondary damage; absolutely however it takes a bit of effort which is a by-product of the fact that they are secured based on a close tolerance fit.
The only thing that I can think of that would further compliment these “Hot Buttons” would be matching top stitching around the perimeter of the seats.
I received the pieces to evaluate last week and understand that since that time at least 4 sets have been installed in other gals; in fact I received a phone call from one of the gal's owner a couple days ago sharing how excited he was and wondered what I thought about them. I shared with him as I feel; they are truly very cool.
Takes care
Shadowman
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