TMI Panels & Fury(update)

velokid1 · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 10:07 am Post subject: TMI Panels & Fury(update)

I'm not really furious, but am very frustrated and disappointed. I will try to keep this short and won't mention the vendor because I can't really blame any vendor for selling TMI crap, as TMI seems to be the only game in town.

I recently sold a '69 transporter. As a favor to the purchaser, who is a neighbor of mine, I told them that if they paid for a new panel set, I would take care of ordering it and would install the panels when they arrived. Ordering TMI panels takes 3-4 weeks from order to delivery and these folks have been patient and very excited about taking their new bus on a camping trip.

Really going to try to make this short: The panels arrived along with 130 clips/rubber boots. I set aside half my Sunday yesterday to donate my time to this little project.

Here are the problems I encountered:

1- The rear hatch panel came without holes drilled for the clips. I contacted the vendor and was in the process of having this rectified already.

2- The kick plates are too long and don't fit. I just installed new kickplates from BusDepot in my 76 a couple weeks ago. The fit of those was very, very tight but finally got them in. These TMI kickplates are NOT going to fit. They are almost 1/2" too long!

3- The panel behind the driver's seat is also 1/2" too wide. Not even CLOSE to fitting.

4- One of the rear quarter panels isn't contoured properly to the wheel well. This panel will work, I can install it, but it doesn't fit properly and certainly won't look good.

5- The rubber boots for the clips are too big for the holes in the sheet metal of the bus. I spent ten minutes trying to finesse a single boot into one of the holes, ruined 4 boots in the process. I was being VERY careful. These boots do NOT work. Unless my buses holes have shrunk over the years! Shocked

6- The clips themselves, for those who have never taken a peek, have two "wings" on them that compress and then expand on the other side of the hole, like a drywall anchor almost. The problem is that the clips today are made from a metal that is too brittle for this purpose and when the "wings" bend to fit through the hole, they break off. I broke four or five clips experimenting with how I was going to fit them in the holes (without even having a rubber boot in the hole, which would effectively make the holes even smaller and the clips an even worse fit!)

I've cooled off today, but I was really fuming yesterday. Almost $400 these folks spent on TMI panels that are total crap, after I "vouched" for the relatively simple project that installing interior panels would be. Now I look like a schmuck, wasted half of my day, and have yet to figure out what is going to happen as far as returning this panel set, if that's even possible. Even if we can find another vendor who sells quality panels, the new owners are going to have to wait another month to have their bus ready.

This TMI stuff is SO badly manufactured and the fit is SO horrible, I cannot believe they are still in business.

Does anyone know of a source of quality interior panels?

So much for keeping it short,

Greg
_________________
1976 Westy... almost there.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/210442.jpg

Tyler 5447 · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 10:59 am Post subject:

I know where your coming from, I've had a few experiences with TMI intiors and won't use them again.

velokid1 · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 12:23 pm Post subject:

So where to go, then?

I'd gladly pay a little more for quality and I know the new owners of the bus feel the same.
_________________
1976 Westy... almost there.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/210442.jpg

djdh68dlux · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 12:45 pm Post subject:

So I'm assuming that you won't be taking a run at this? Razz

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=158211

That sucks, such a big company and you see so many vendors carry their stuff. Has anyone else had bad experiences with them? I've never used them and will definitely think twice about it now. Thanks for the post Velokid!
_________________
1968 Deluxe "Clipper L" Type 2

Looking for a VW club in Southern California? Check out Inland Valley Volkswagens: www.ivvw.org

Bottomend · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 1:04 pm Post subject:

Sorry for your woe... But thankfull for the info.

ratwell · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 2:38 pm Post subject:

stevemariott · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 3:05 pm Post subject:

velokid1 · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 3:42 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Richard. I will call Sewfine and see what they have to say. This TMI business has been such a bummer that I would gladly pay an extra $250 for a set of panels that fit properly (and luckily, the folks who bought my bus feel the same).

If we end up ordering with Sewfine, I will post some feedback. For now, I am crossing my fingers that Vendor X who sold the TMI to me will be cooperative with a refund. Or even a credit with them, as I do 90% of my online shopping with this particular company and could probably spend a $400 credit before the summer is through.

If they aren't cooperative, I will take my business elsewhere permanently, because this TMI stuff is a complete joke.

Thank goD I can vent here, though. Shocked

_________________
1976 Westy... almost there.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/210442.jpg

Sylvester · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 3:54 pm Post subject: Wow!

That site is awsome Ratwell! Pricey but nice!
_________________
1971 Westfalia "Samantha"
1600cc "Hun engine"

Oct. 22, 1929. 8:30 pm. The ship is making water fast. We have turned around and headed for Milwaukee. Pumps are working, but sea gate is bent in and can't keep the water out. Flicker is flooded. Seas are tremendous. Things look bad. Crew roll is about the same as last payday. A.R. Sadon, Purser.

Gary · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 6:15 pm Post subject:

I was going to ask if Sewfine is a good source for interiors. I remember that T34 interiors were made of Unobtanium (Periodic Symbol UoB) until the owners bought a T34. After that, quality T34 carpet sets and panels were once again available. Pricey? Well, you get what you pay for, and I am NOT of the Wal Mart mentality. I hear all to often how TMI carpet sets aren't heat seamed, are missing holes, don't line up, etc. Why spend money on crap just to save a couple of bucks? I'd rather spend the right money up front and not have frustrations.

A few years ago I called Sewfine and asked if they would install the interior in a customer's car. Carol said they prefer that. Since my sister lives in Colorado, it makes for a nice week visit for me Very Happy

_________________
West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943)

westy78 · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 7:38 pm Post subject:

I was not at all impressed with the TMI panels I bought. I had the same problem with the kick panels also. Broke the drivers side trying to get in. I was beyond pissed. The glue they use is worthless too. All the edges of both the door panels and kicks are coming loose and the door panels won't stay in because the clips are crap. Never again. Evil or Very Mad

_________________
Jasan C.
'78 Westy

VW Campmobile, it goes on vacation with you.

ChuxBus · Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 6:33 am Post subject: Re: TMI Panels and Fury

I'd be curious to know if anyone can share their experiences with the un-upholstered masonite panels from Bus Depot. I feel as though I could do a decent enough job with the vinyl or fabric, but having to cut new masonite without a solid template might be too much of a hassle. (Though it couldn't be any more of a hassle than installing a vinyl headliner or trying to get new mangled window scrapers to fit.)
_________________
-Chuck
1978 Bus & 1969 Bug
"Don't make a fuss, just get on the bus" -Frank Zappa

Ritter · Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 7:53 am Post subject:

As a side question, does anybody have a source for the little clips and grommets that hold the panels to the body? I tried pulling some at the scrap yard, but they mostly just fell apart....

Ritter

tristessa · Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 9:04 am Post subject:

djdh68dlux · Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 9:05 am Post subject:

djdh68dlux · Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 9:08 am Post subject:

Or here's some more for you!

http://www.westcoastmetric.com/latebus.php
_________________
1968 Deluxe "Clipper L" Type 2

Looking for a VW club in Southern California? Check out Inland Valley Volkswagens: www.ivvw.org

banana3 · Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 9:35 am Post subject:

velokid1 · Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 12:53 pm Post subject:

If you look at the clips/boots available at Wolfsburg West...

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList_test.cfm?ID=N143893

...you will notice the description says that these clips can be used on 68-79 Buses, but the holes in the body will have to be reamed a little for the clips/boots to fit.

I suspect that Bus Depot sells these same clips but fails to mention this bit of info.

So, one bit of the puzzle solved. Ream the holes for the clips to fit.

I doubt there is as good an explanation for why the TMI panels are complete garbage. Evil or Very Mad

_________________
1976 Westy... almost there.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/210442.jpg

1FUNBUG · Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 12:59 pm Post subject:

FWIW my entire Beetle interior is Sewfine and went in smoothly. I've used the clips and boots from WCM before and was satisfied (although its been a few years ago)

1FUNBUG

still waiting for my Bus to find me. Crying or Very sad

djdh68dlux · Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 1:05 pm Post subject:


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