DIY Carbon Fiber Interior for less than $30.
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
DIY Carbon Fiber Interior for less than $30.
Hello friends,
I'm all about saving money,especially when it comes to my SC400. The center console wood grain was starting to fade and the 3M base of it was peeling and no longer sticking in some spots. I wanted to give my car the carbon fiber look without the authentic carbon fiber price. I went on eBay and bought a 5'x10' roll of carbon fiber vinyl sheet with 3M adhesive on the back for $30 and $3 shipping. It kinda puts you in the mind of a huge sticker. It feels and looks like carbon fiber. I removed my faux wood grain kit and used it as a template. The sheet has a white grid and borders on the back like on Christmas gift wrap. I took the wood grain and turned it over and traced the outer shape and center shapes like for the climate control buttons etc. After tracing,I cut it out and did a"dry"run by placing it over what I was overlaying to make sure it fit. After I wiped down the console with rubbing alcohol,I peeled the grid off the back of the sheet,layed down the vinyl and rubbed it out. For the pieces on the dash and doors,I just cut long 3"pieces and,repeated clean,peel and stick,then trimmed up the excess with an exact-o knife(the knife can be bought at WalMart in the art supplies and stationary section). It looks professionally done according to my friends. About 2hrs prep time total. When the spring comes,I'm going to do the hood,trunk and spoiler and save myself $3000..only spending $60 to do it. I will post pics of the entire finished job once complete
I'm all about saving money,especially when it comes to my SC400. The center console wood grain was starting to fade and the 3M base of it was peeling and no longer sticking in some spots. I wanted to give my car the carbon fiber look without the authentic carbon fiber price. I went on eBay and bought a 5'x10' roll of carbon fiber vinyl sheet with 3M adhesive on the back for $30 and $3 shipping. It kinda puts you in the mind of a huge sticker. It feels and looks like carbon fiber. I removed my faux wood grain kit and used it as a template. The sheet has a white grid and borders on the back like on Christmas gift wrap. I took the wood grain and turned it over and traced the outer shape and center shapes like for the climate control buttons etc. After tracing,I cut it out and did a"dry"run by placing it over what I was overlaying to make sure it fit. After I wiped down the console with rubbing alcohol,I peeled the grid off the back of the sheet,layed down the vinyl and rubbed it out. For the pieces on the dash and doors,I just cut long 3"pieces and,repeated clean,peel and stick,then trimmed up the excess with an exact-o knife(the knife can be bought at WalMart in the art supplies and stationary section). It looks professionally done according to my friends. About 2hrs prep time total. When the spring comes,I'm going to do the hood,trunk and spoiler and save myself $3000..only spending $60 to do it. I will post pics of the entire finished job once complete
#4
I have a 1992 sc400 and have taken all the seats out to add new seat covers and give the carpet a really good cleaning along with taking the door panels off to fix the plastic frame. I feel that you should always try to find a solution to our dilemmas with our cars, that's why we joined this forum, and if you ultimately can't then go to the professionals. More power to you, good luck with your project and if you feel it looks good and can live with the results then good for you. Do post pictures!
#6
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
DIY Carbon Fiber Vinyl Pics
Hey guys, here are a few pics of the center console of the before and after console parts. oops..check my profile page to see the pics
#7
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
The pictures I posted are in the share with your community photos page
https://www.clublexus.com/g/album/239028
https://www.clublexus.com/g/album/239028
Last edited by DaveGS4; 02-11-14 at 05:31 AM. Reason: Added link
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#9
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
I appreciate that Biddles I'm old school and didn't didn't have a clue as to how to post the pics lol. The door panel is off because the window regulator went out. I will add more pics as I make progress. Thanks for the positive comments
#10
Lead Lap
iTrader: (4)
Looks pretty good on the interior but I don't know that stuff would hold up on exterior applications. I bet it'd fade and generally look like hell after a short while, particularly in the TX sun. Good test, cut you a little piece and stick it to your moon roof glass. See how it holds out and then when test period is over, scrape it off with a razor blade. Won't hurt your glass and don't have to sacrifice a body panel if it fails.
#11
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
The company I bought it from gave me a three year outside guarantee. I also found out that if I shot it with clear coat, it would last even longer. It is water resistant too
#12
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
•Textured with the carbon fiber design
•3 dimensional look and feel
•Self adhesive
•Air pocket release backing design so there are no bubbles
•Will not harm your paint or natural finish
•Can be applied and reapplied for desired look
•Water proof and stain resistant
•Indoor life of over 8 years
•Outdoor life of over 5 years
•UV protected
•Can be shaped and molded over complex curves
•Can also be used with a heat gun or household blow drier for shaping
•Very flexible and stretchable
•Super thin (0.2mm) to fit in most tight spots or corners
•Can be used for other projects other than automotive
•Super easy to use
•Low cost compared to a paint job!
•3 dimensional look and feel
•Self adhesive
•Air pocket release backing design so there are no bubbles
•Will not harm your paint or natural finish
•Can be applied and reapplied for desired look
•Water proof and stain resistant
•Indoor life of over 8 years
•Outdoor life of over 5 years
•UV protected
•Can be shaped and molded over complex curves
•Can also be used with a heat gun or household blow drier for shaping
•Very flexible and stretchable
•Super thin (0.2mm) to fit in most tight spots or corners
•Can be used for other projects other than automotive
•Super easy to use
•Low cost compared to a paint job!
#15
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Kansas
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My Sc had this on the outside of the door pillar thing and it looked really good. It lasted about a year and a half while I owned it. I don't know how long the kid had it on there before that but it did look good. I'm sure there's some sort of adhesive you could use to keep the edges held down real good. Mine came off because my chamois got stuck to one little edge. I just left it like that.