AeroCatch pins - how do I go about cutting into my pretty hood?

[AZ89two4Tsx]

I have these brand new AeroCatch locking pins that I need to put on since my car will be getting painted soon. I was wondering for those of you that have these or something similar, how did you go about installing these? What tool(s) did you use? I'm very scared of cutting into my brand new pretty carbon fiber hood. I know there's a few non-NICO writeups around, but I just want to see what you guys have done.

[Razi]

zerothread?id=206359

[heartofaskyline]

way to search.

zerothread/206359

[heartofaskyline]

haha we both posted it at the same time

[Razi]

Haha

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Yeah I know about the thread, I posted in it lol. I guess I'm just wondering about the people that did it, do you suggest a newb like me doing it or having somebody else do it? I'm kinda looking for more input/experience over how-to. Does that make sense, lol?

[AZhitman]

Don't be a puss.

I did it myself (on a $550 hood).

[AZ89two4Tsx]

But I'm so scared!

Oh well, I'll give it a second look tomorrow. I've got all the tools so I guess if I REALLY take my time I should be alright. Or I'll just have my dad do it lol.

[Razi]

Practice using the dremel if you haven't already.Or if you trust your dad, let him do it this time haha.

[White Comet]

Don't be a puss.

I did it myself (on a $550 hood).

i was gonna do this on my $600 hood but then i destroyed it . oh well when i get another $600 hood i'll cut into it then

[AZ89two4Tsx]

^ You destroyed it? Like got mad and destroyed it?

[White Comet]

like hood flew up and took out the windshield too

[AZ89two4Tsx]

^ Ouch. That sucks.

Btw, should I be using the oem hood latch along with the pins? Is it necessary?

[White Comet]

it's not worth it to remove it, just keep it. not having the factory latch is part of the reason why my hood died

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Well, the previous owner of my car was running a fiberglass hood with some basic Sparco pins, no latch, and it seemed just fine. It didn't seem like it was going anywhere. I don't have the part of the latch that connects to the hood so I just took off the whole assembly.

You think I need the stock latch? I gave the fiberglass hood a good tug with the pins on and it didn't seem like it would go anywhere at all.

[White Comet]

if you dont have it then its not worth it to reinstall it. its not that you NEED it, i just thought that if it was still in there, keep it there.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Cool, thanks.