I went to the shop and complained about this. They called their supplier who said that he cannot offer any warranty on the frame.
BHPian Daewoo1995 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
With the sudden increase in demand for Android-based aftermarket head units, the Chinese manufacturers smartly moved to standard 9-inch and 10-inch systems. These are mounted onto aftermarket frames that are specifically made for these Head unit systems.
When I upgraded the head unit on my Honda Amaze to the 9-inch Blaupunkt San Andreas (which is a non-android based system with wired and wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto), I was happy as this would have a perfect flush fit in the aftermarket 9-inch stereo frame. However, this happiness did not last long.
After a few months of usage, the frame started developing paint cracks on the top and side. These areas were prone to direct sunlight.
I went to the installation shop and complained. They called their supplier who said that he cannot offer any warranty on the frame.
The shopkeeper said that he could get the frame repainted by a good-quality paint shop for INR 1000. I was mad as the cost of the frame itself was INR 800, so I refused.
When my car was at the Honda workshop, I asked the service manager if he had observed similar issues in aftermarket frames in other Amaze cars at the workshop, and he said that this is common and most Amaze cars with such aftermarket frames have similar cracked paint.
Has anyone here in the BHP community faced similar issues?
I’m confused if I should get it repainted as I’m not sure about the finishing and paint quality. I even tried to source a frame in Matte finish (basically a frame without any paint on it – just plastic) assuming that it won’t show similar results due to heat since there won’t be any paint to be damaged.
Below are a couple of images of the frame taken with the flash on.
Here’s what GTO had to say about the matter:
You get what you pay for, no? As with most such parts in the market, there are cheap ones, midpriced ones and expensive ones. I’d gotten an aftermarket frame for my new head-unit in the Honda Civic and it never had any problem.
800 bucks is quite cheap. Not to mention, the product itself was unbranded. Was probably manufactured for 50 bucks. The rest of the 800 are margins at the different levels, taxes, shipping etc.
Here’s what BHPian saikishor had to say about the matter:
If the functionality of the frame remains unaffected, I feel it would be fine for use and you shouldn’t be bothered much as there seems to be no realistic solution to this. Live with it if it works, or repaint/replace every now and then. I don’t see anything beyond this.
Here’s what BHPian windrider had to say about the matter:
Why don’t you go to a sticker shop and get that wrapped? Some of the thicker vinyls like fake carbon fibre would completely hide the cracks and look cool too. If the wrap is done right, it will last a long time without peeling off.
Here’s what BHPian bravo82in had to say about the matter:
I have a Honda Amaze with an aftermarket stereo and faced the same issue with the quality of the aftermarket frame. It’s nearly impossible to find a high-quality frame for budget sedans.
After exploring various options, I chose a matte finish frame and had it painted gloss black. It’s holding well for the last 2 years.
If your existing frame is a good-quality one, consider re-painting it else go for the matte finish one and have it painted gloss black.
Alternatively, you could have the frame wrapped in good-quality gloss black vinyl film.
Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.
