Got some hardtop fittings but not sure about them ...

SoloNomad · January 8, 2021, 09:56

Just asking for an opinion really, I've been looking for a hardtop fitting kit and purchased a set recently but the rear brackets don't look good to me, even the wife said they don't look right. Having only seen photos of others on completed ebay auctions or google image searches I expected these to be a smooth good finish but they are quite rough, here's a photo of one, am I right in not being happy with this or do some come like this? I've queried it with the seller but they are not getting back to me. I'm sure I can get better.

1979scotte · January 8, 2021, 10:06

Official toyota are a smooth chrome finish.

shnazzle · January 8, 2021, 10:10

It's been a good few years since I sold mine, but I remember them being very smooth chrome. I'd remember if they were pitted like those.

I do very vaguely remember that some aftermarket brackets were available for a very brief time. Made in China. They were not rated. Whether these are them, I don't know

SoloNomad · January 8, 2021, 10:17

I have asked the seller if they are genuine parts as I have my suspicions. When i've checked thses with other photos they do look the same, it's just bizarre they have that rough finish. Don't know what the material is either, it's not magnetic and too light to be alluminium, I've never handled another one to know any different. I think these will be going back for a refund.

SoloNomad · January 8, 2021, 10:21

This is the sort of thing I thought would turn up

These were also stated as 'brand new', I wasn't expecting NOS but would have been happy with good used parts.

1979scotte · January 8, 2021, 10:21

Quote from: SoloNomad on January 8, 2021, 10:17I have asked the seller if they are genuine parts as I have my suspicions. When i've checked thses with other photos they do look the same, it's just bizarre they have that rough finish. Don't know what the material is either, it's not magnetic and too light to be alluminium, I've never handled another one to know any different. I think these will be going back for a refund.

What did you pay for them?
They don't need to be great tbh it's the internal strikers and clamps that hold the top on.

SoloNomad · January 8, 2021, 10:24

This is both

SoloNomad · January 8, 2021, 10:28

2 sides and these 2 rears were £210, I thought a bit more than stuff on ebay sometimes but nothing has come up for a while so thought I'd just purchase from a trader. They are quite rough and won't look too good on the car in the summer so I'd rather get better one's, they sort of look like they've been sandblasted then painted, but why would anyone do that to good chrome?

1979scotte · January 8, 2021, 10:34

Quote from: SoloNomad on January 8, 2021, 10:282 sides and these 2 rears were £210, I thought a bit more than stuff on ebay sometimes but nothing has come up for a while so thought I'd just purchase from a trader. They are quite rough and won't look too good on the car in the summer so I'd rather get better one's, they sort of look like they've been sandblasted then painted, but why would anyone do that to good chrome?

Ask toyota if they still sell them.

SoloNomad · January 8, 2021, 10:39

Quote from: 1979scotte on January 8, 2021, 10:34Ask toyota if they still sell them.

Yeah, the rears they do, but they have to come from Japan so can take a month but I'll probably do that.

Carolyn · January 8, 2021, 12:14

How much do you want for the 'rejects'?

SoloNomad · January 8, 2021, 12:26

Quote from: Carolyn on January 8, 2021, 12:14How much do you want for the 'rejects'?

Well, they were half the cost but I'd take £80 to save the hassle of returning them, but I'm not sure that's a fair price, but I've only just got them so should get a refund.

Carolyn · January 8, 2021, 12:36

Quote from: SoloNomad on January 8, 2021, 12:26
Quote from: Carolyn on January 8, 2021, 12:14How much do you want for the 'rejects'?

Well, they were half the cost but I'd take £80 to save the hassle of returning them, but I'm not sure that's a fair price, but I've only just got them so should get a refund.

Fair enough. I wouldn't pay 80 for them.

SoloNomad · January 8, 2021, 12:48

Quote from: Carolyn on January 8, 2021, 12:36Fair enough. I wouldn't pay 80 for them.

I wouldn't pay anything for them if I knew what I was getting (no images on their website) ... I could take them into the workshop at work and spend half a day making them look good but I shouldn't have to for the cost of them. Still no response from seller!

Joesson · January 8, 2021, 13:01

As above they do not look like those Toyota parts that I have seen and if they were offered as such you have a good reason to return them.
Hopefully you used Pay Pal.

SoloNomad · January 8, 2021, 13:32

Paid by credit card so have some protection, but it's a trader so hopefully they'll play ball, but I'm getting no communication from them at the moment. I queried the finish on them and no reply, now I've emailed saying I want to return them ... just have to wait.

Joesson · January 8, 2021, 13:46

Quote from: SoloNomad on January 8, 2021, 13:32Paid by credit card so have some protection, but it's a trader so hopefully they'll play ball, but I'm getting no communication from them at the moment. I queried the finish on them and no reply, now I've emailed saying I want to return them ... just have to wait.

A typical response from those in the wrong is no response.
Persistence is your friend.
Remember that if no response to your emails you can escalate to your card provider, be sure to keep " copies" of all communications.

Ardent · January 8, 2021, 18:39

@SoloNomad

Any part numbers stamped anywhere?

Iain · January 8, 2021, 19:49

When i got some a while back they came with the same rough finish. Must admit i didnt think much about it and took it as thats how they must be. They have been fitted for a few months now with no issues bit i guess having seen this they are non genuine.

1979scotte · January 8, 2021, 19:50

Quote from: Iain on January 8, 2021, 19:49When i got some a while back they came with the same rough finish. Must admit i didnt think much about it and took it as thats how they must be. They have been fitted for a few months now with no issues bit i guess having seen this they are non genuine.

You are correct

Iain · January 8, 2021, 19:53

Ive never been a huge fan of the chrome and have been tempted a couple of times to paint them body colour, even more tempted now

SoloNomad · January 9, 2021, 10:40

Quote from: Ardent on January 8, 2021, 18:39@SoloNomad
Any part numbers stamped anywhere?

No part numbers, just a L and R - should they have part numbers on, anyone got some they can compare?

Quote from: Iain on January 8, 2021, 19:49When i got some a while back they came with the same rough finish. Must admit i didnt think much about it and took it as thats how they must be. They have been fitted for a few months now with no issues bit i guess having seen this they are non genuine.

Maybe you got them the same place? If you remember where pm me, just curious (don't want to put up the name here as it might all be resolved ok, although still no response)

Someone suggested they might be painted badly, there could be an ok chrome finish under that, just wonder why someone would paint a chrome finish then sell them as 'chrome'.

SoloNomad · January 9, 2021, 10:42

Quote from: Iain on January 8, 2021, 19:53Ive never been a huge fan of the chrome and have been tempted a couple of times to paint them body colour, even more tempted now

I did wonder about painting them but I don't think the paint would stand up so well to the hardtop being fitted and removed as much as the chrome finish, paint would probably mark quickly?

Iain · January 9, 2021, 11:03

Quote from: SoloNomad on January 9, 2021, 10:42
Quote from: Iain on January 8, 2021, 19:53Ive never been a huge fan of the chrome and have been tempted a couple of times to paint them body colour, even more tempted now

I did wonder about painting them but I don't think the paint would stand up so well to the hardtop being fitted and removed as much as the chrome finish, paint would probably mark quickly?

Yes this is what is stopping me, paint wont stand much chance when the hardtop is on and off.

Ardent · January 9, 2021, 15:11

Quote from: SoloNomad on January 9, 2021, 10:40
Quote from: Ardent on January 8, 2021, 18:39@SoloNomad
Any part numbers stamped anywhere?

No part numbers, just a L and R - should they have part numbers on, anyone got some they can compare?

Apologies for that. So used to seeing part numbers for everything.
But here are some pics of mine.
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