Decided to use some left over vinyl I had around in the CT. Just wanted to be rid of the dull grey trim.

Did a combination of Vivvid gloss black and 3M matte carbon fiber. Really like the dry carbon fiber, favorite I've ever seen. Believe it's 3M di-noc line. However I did my old IS entirely in that wrap so wanted to switch it up with the gloss black as well.

Took apart everything of course to so this. Steering wheel, dash trim/air vents, climate controls, window/lock trims.

Rookie move, I didnt have enough material to do the entire area under the climate controls so need to order some more. However, not really noticeable.

Used remaining wrap I had laying around. So basically free and a couple hours of time.

Results look much cleaner and a bit more premium. Not too obviously aftermarket either which I like. Dry CF and existing silver trim piece on the dash I felt went together pretty well.

Keeping this CT pretty stock, certainly no performance mods. So getting subtle little touches done like this will likely be the extent of it's aftermarket work. Makes it feel like mine.

Next...the side mirrors.




Got those little accent pieces done on top of steering wheel too.

 

Nice. That lower piece on my CT looked great for a month then the tension started to form lines on both sides. Like a wrinkle. it wouldn't smooth back down. I think if i had to do it again i would paint it gloss black.

you should wrap the mirror triangles on the inside of the door. that will really set things off. my advice on those is wrap the film all the way around on the other side and stick it down. don't trim around the edges w/ a razor blades cause you'll see the cut. but they're small so easy to just take a new piece of film if you mess up.


also wrap the ones on the outside too. big difference. those are challenging though cause the clips are fragile. be gentle!

 

Looks good! Well done!

 

The parts on thenl steering wheel already peeled back on the edges, didn't wrap around enough but probably would have bubbled anyways if I had. I also used 3M there which is not as pliable as Vivvid.
I want to look into some kind of adhesive promoter.

Definitely wrapping the side mirrors and would like to get the base there too.

I'll take a look at the triangle peice inside and out!

 

I think the steering wheel is inevitably going to peel. the angle is too aggressive. But who knows.. try again. side mirrors, youtube ckwraps. he does a lexus side mirror (same as the CT) you'll have to do it in 2 pieces. first the inner piece (you'll need cutting tape) and then the outer piece. it will take some patience.

 

Yeah you may be right. I recall someone using an adhesive promoter but don't ever see it mentioned elsewhere. At that point paint may be preferred anyways.

That's for the heads up, I watched his video a long time back and have the cutting tape...patience I'm short on lol. Better than $100 for all new painted replacement caps, but I did find that option on Amazon actually, its new.

 

the dash trim looks very sharp, looks oem

 

thanks, thsts what i really like about the matte CF.

 

I agree, the matte is the way to go. I find the shiny stuff they sell aftermarket to look so cheesy.

 

Depends what it is. For interior trim on certain pieces, providing the pattern is nice, Matte can look good since it's likely meant to mimic stuff that's matte naturally like carbon fiber or wood. But a matte wrap exterior on the paint, matte exterior trim? Matte wheels? Looks like kid stuff since it's usually the low hanging fruit of what's easily done w/ paint, plastidip and stuff from pepboys. It's not hard to do a good matte paint job on trim/panels etc, but it is hard to get a quality gloss job. This is the key in perception.