Got the car back from the shop today. Artisan kit is finally on! No matter how many times I do the waiting game for parts and install, it still kinda blows my mind. I ordered this kit in May and after 14 weeks for it to be made, 2 weeks for shipping, 3 weeks to get the correct spoiler shipped out, 1 month wait time to get it into the shop I use, and 1 week at the shop since they do custom work on the side. 24 weeks and Im here!

Little warning for anyone else wanting the artisan carbon parts
Ive been modifying cars since 05' and these carbon parts, no exaggeration, are the worst parts Ive ever received. Ive always been a nissan/ infiniti guy so carbon parts have always been a little less expesnive too. It took 3 full clearing and sanding jobs and time spent with a dropper to fill clear into hundreds of pits in the weave. IT came raw as Fuuuck! I would never recommend Artisan parts unless you can pay another $1500-2000 for a shop to fix it and prep it to make it look the way it should have. It pisses me off because Artisan makes the best kit for the LC, aesthetically speaking. At least in my opinion. They send parts that are good for a 100% track focused car but an LC is a luxury coupe. Im happy and mad at the same time, hah.

 

yikes... at those prices you expect perfection. Not doing another 1-2k worth of work to make it right.

Ugh i wanted to get the bodykit too but i think im just going to smash the front lip like ALL THE TIME. So might as well leave it alone. We got some narley driveways/garage ramps in vancouver.

 

Agreed. There are evil speed bumps in Vancouver.

I really wanted to get this kit as well but it’s disappointing to hear about the quality. They really do have the best designs.

 

I will say this. IF you guys went with the FRP version instead of the carbon one, youll probably be just fine. If carbon isnt a must have, they would look just as good in gloss black. Maybe I would just avoid artisans carbon parts.

 

Looks real good.

-Josh

 

I like the way the car looks. Its terrible the parts are so poorly crafted.

 

The Novel carbon rear diffuser and side spoiler I got for my GSF was the same way. The quality was trash and looked like it was made in China. The Toms carbon bits I have were exceptional. It’s too bad you pay so much for crappy quality.

Car looks amazing!

Steve

 

the good news is, the shop I use made the parts look the way they should have. No credit goes to Artisan though, thats for damn sure!

 

Id love to be a fly on the wall when they talk about justifying the horrible condition they ship them in. Money and time is obviously the only real reasons and arent concerned about their reputation turning to ****.

 

I know I am late.....But your 'Total Blackout' on Red is just awesome!!!!! You've created something really special.....

 

zerafian, congrats on the result and your patience.

how did you get your wheels to have a gray finish? did you get the stock ones painted?

 

I got the powdercoated by a local shop. IF you go to prismaticpowders. com, you can essentially pick any color you want and any shop that specializes in powdercoating will be able to do it.

 

@Zerafian , your ride looks amazing!


As for the carbon fiber .. Artisan Spirits discloses on their website and instructions: "Carbon products are not in the final finish state, so we recommend clear coat finish after temporary alignment.". Of course this doesn't always make it to USA websites and/or needs transation. But the truth is almost all carbon fiber parts only have a 'gel coat' which is part of the carbon fiber resin process and always needs clear coat painted by the installer. Clear coat will UV protect the carbon fiber from sun damage and give it much more depth.

 

Maybe we have different standards but Im gonna break it down a bit more.

Ive been buying carbon parts since 2008, maybe 30 body panel parts over that time. Every single piece has always "looked" as if you can install it and go. Smooth, clear, no clouding, and unless a person is a perfectionist, could pass for install ready, even though it needs clear coating. However, the Artisan parts had hundreds of pits going into the weave, tons of clouding/ hazing, and even bumpy areas where the resin hadn't cured and the packaging pressed into it. These artisan parts are literally delivered in garbage condition and the company abuses the term "needing a clear coat". My shop literally spend 25 hours and 3 passes of clearing to make it look like it should. Sand, clear, sand, clear, sand, dropper to add clear in hundreds of pits, sand, and clear. This was all 5 pieces.

Since Im very experienced in buying carbon parts I will tell you this, all carbon parts SHOULD get delivered in a condition that would lead you to believe they could be installed. However, unless stated otherwise, carbon needs clear coat to protect it from UV degradation and yellowing. I would highly recommend people avoid Artisan for the LC, unless they get the FRP. Even still, the spoiler fitment, I can stick my thumb in the gap on the underside. $1200 for a duckbill spoiler and the fitment is garbage.

Lets get into the packaging while Im at it. For $8300 they couldn't even properly package the parts. It was all loose only wrapped in the single layer of bubble wrap. Tons are sharp edges just allowed to move around during its time from Asia to my door step, no protection on the edges.

Ive bought too many carbon parts in my time, I know better. If I had taken more pics of the garbage they sent, I'd be blowing up the internet with how **** their products are, from shipping, fitment, to delivered product.

obviously I appreciate that compliment. I almost want to say its a K&B Enterprises carbon kit, not Artisan. The shop I use does fantastic work and it came into play big time.

 

Appreciate the headsup! Thank you for sharing your experience!