DIY - How to Cover Things with Real Carbon Fiber
03-01-12, 09:53 AM
#33
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: FL
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I've been wanting to learn to do this. Thanks to the great write up it gave me the motivation and insight to do so. I ordered my supplies and have the other things I need. A buddy gave me the window switch as a spare. Hopefully this weekend ill start it. Ill post pics when im done. If all goes well I have a few pieces ill be doing.
03-01-12, 04:11 PM
#34
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
I've been wanting to learn to do this. Thanks to the great write up it gave me the motivation and insight to do so. I ordered my supplies and have the other things I need. A buddy gave me the window switch as a spare. Hopefully this weekend ill start it. Ill post pics when im done. If all goes well I have a few pieces ill be doing.
looking forward to the results.
03-03-12, 12:19 AM
#36
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: UT
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Looks great. Thanks for taking the time to write it up. Question -- where did you get your extra set of trim pieces? I don't think I'm daring enough to try this out on my originals.
03-04-12, 07:01 PM
#37
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
03-04-12, 10:37 PM
#42
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
03-07-12, 09:03 AM
#44
Good write up. I did the same on my car except instead of painting the edges of things, I actually wrapped the parts around the edge, which honestly is the source of 90% of my frustration with getting it perfect every time. CF is not all that forgiving!!
So far I've done the center console and switch plates. Up next is the more challenging dash vents. I don't have much time to work on it so I'll post it when I'm done.
one tip I can offer up - instead of putting down epoxy and waiting for that small time period where it's tacky enough to stick down the CF, I have switched up to a 5 minute epoxy. The method you have is fine, but when you start wrapping around the edges as I've done on mine, there has to be a fair amount of tack otherwise you'll end up with lifted surfaces which cannot be reworked.
Also, for those who attempt this, don't cheap out on the epoxy. Get good, marine grade quality epoxy, such as that offered by West systems. It will have less tendency to yellow over time. Cheap epoxy will turn yellowish very quickly. Also, it is of great help to get the west systems pumps so you don't have to fuss with a scale. The pumps dose out the right ratio of resin to hardener. If anyone is trying this and gets frustrated, feel free to hit me up and I'll see how I can assist.
I can't emphasize enough to try this on some stuff you don't care about first, because if you screw up, and you most likely will the first time, it's a PITA to do any amount of rework.
So far I've done the center console and switch plates. Up next is the more challenging dash vents. I don't have much time to work on it so I'll post it when I'm done.
one tip I can offer up - instead of putting down epoxy and waiting for that small time period where it's tacky enough to stick down the CF, I have switched up to a 5 minute epoxy. The method you have is fine, but when you start wrapping around the edges as I've done on mine, there has to be a fair amount of tack otherwise you'll end up with lifted surfaces which cannot be reworked.
Also, for those who attempt this, don't cheap out on the epoxy. Get good, marine grade quality epoxy, such as that offered by West systems. It will have less tendency to yellow over time. Cheap epoxy will turn yellowish very quickly. Also, it is of great help to get the west systems pumps so you don't have to fuss with a scale. The pumps dose out the right ratio of resin to hardener. If anyone is trying this and gets frustrated, feel free to hit me up and I'll see how I can assist.
I can't emphasize enough to try this on some stuff you don't care about first, because if you screw up, and you most likely will the first time, it's a PITA to do any amount of rework.
Last edited by isthrizzy; 03-07-12 at 03:08 PM.
