Carbon Fibre Wrap...1st Attempts

[stephenevans99]

The one thing I noticed after taking ownership of my S60 is that the 'rubberized' coating on the grab handles marks and scratches quite easy. So I decided to take the plunge and buy some carbon vinyl and see what kind of a mess I could make.

I bought some 3M Di-Noc carbon vinyl off eBay from a company called Underground Graphics....
eBay Linky to Underground Graphics (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230543924722?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649)

I've never applied this kind of stuff before so I watched a few YouTube vids on 'how to'... it turns out quite easy to apply as long as you take plenty of time and have a hairdrier to hand.

Here's a few piccies of the results....

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/stephenevans99/DSC03076.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/stephenevans99/DSC03075.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/stephenevans99/DSC03074.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/stephenevans99/DSC03078.jpg

The flip over cover on the arm rest is my next job, the rubberized coating has really started to mark, I've tried to remove the cover with no success. The lid already has one of the tabs broken, I don't want to break the other tab trying to remove it but it does need removing to wrap it properly.....any suggestions would be great.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/stephenevans99/DSC03079.jpg

Not sure whether to wrap any more trim pieces, the dash vent panel above the radio seems the next candidate.....too much?? not enough?? chavish??

[V70 Graham]

Does look like a very good job you have done there.

[M-R-P]

Good effort there mate but I'm afraid the center bit will need to come out to get at that cover, it's screwed in from underneath, at the back...
http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g413/martinrpeachey/Snapbucket/095CEE29-orig.jpg


On your 1st pic, it looks like there's a bit of wrinkling on the very top corner of the cover. I had the same problem (just wait till you try doing the horizontal trims around the handle) you need to get the vinyl hotter and pull it over the corner to keep it taught, otherwise you'll find it peeling away after a while.
http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g413/martinrpeachey/Snapbucket/06671E5F-orig.jpg

Take your time and be prepared to screw it up a few times and you will get it looking pukka soon enough...
http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g413/martinrpeachey/Snapbucket/DSCF7443.jpg

Oh, don't bother doing the steering wheel - it never lasts :(
http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g413/martinrpeachey/Snapbucket/5F454E47-orig.jpg

[I want a T5]

I can recommend Underground Graphics; great service.

Do get some of their primer (WP-3000) to prep the edges where you are stretching a lot as this stuff really makes the vinyl stick like the proverbial. I had found that when you stretch and then trim close to the stretch, the vinyl will try to peel so the primer is welll worth a few quid.

Great job though and looks smart!

[graemewelch]

looks like youve done a good job. reminds me of a bmw interior though. my door handles are scuffed to bits to. wouldnt mind getting the oe colour matched

[stephenevans99]

On your 1st pic, it looks like there's a bit of wrinkling on the very top corner of the cover.

Both sides have a bit of wrinkling & I wondered if I were to apply some more heat and try and 'rub it out'....don't fancy keeping on removing pieces of plastic trim in case I weaken the clips etc.....do think it can be done in situ ?

[I want a T5]

Heat tends to shrink the vinyl back to it's original shape so you may find it doesn't work.

Also, the adhesive cures out after 24 hours so you may find the adhesive just won't be as sticky as it was before.

Best to start afresh (and try that primer!).

[M-R-P]

Those covers aren't too hard to get off, and you should be able to get it hot and rub one off ;)
If you're gonna remove it to use the primer stuff, you may as well.
I pulled mine tight and trimmed it round the back of the cover, then the cover itself helps keep the vinyl on.

[local-looney]

really like this carbon fibre stuff......is it sort of easy??

[stephenevans99]

I'm quite surprised how easy it actually is to apply. Obviously the smaller or curvier the object is, I imagine the more difficult it'll be.

I think some of the good advice given is to use the 3M primer that's available.....and take plenty of time.

[stephenevans99]

Been wrapping a little more today.

From this tatty & worn look cup holder lid.....

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/stephenevans99/DSC03079.jpg

To a nicely wrapped cup holder lid (hinge is still broken though :( ....

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/stephenevans99/Volvo%20S60%20D5%202004/DSC03082.jpg

And a few decals to boot....

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/stephenevans99/Volvo%20S60%20D5%202004/DSC03085.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/stephenevans99/Volvo%20S60%20D5%202004/DSC03086.jpg

[M-R-P]

Nice job there mate. Shame about the hinge tho. I'll watch the local scrappy for another one for ya ;)

[stephenevans99]

Cheers, I was at Volvo in Preston yesterday and they quoted £90 for the lid and storage unit - the lid cannot be bought separately. After that bombshell, I thought I'd give it a go repairing it whilst wrapping the lid...used a miniature nut & bolt from my sons meccano set & it's now almost 90% perfect !!

The lid is just a stupid, fragile design which was fortunately replaced in the facelift models, just have to keep telling passengers to keep their elbows off the damn thing.

[Haizum74]

Plastidip it if the black comes away

[M-R-P]

Cheers, I was at Volvo in Preston yesterday and they quoted £90 for the lid and storage unit - the lid cannot be bought separately. After that bombshell, I thought I'd give it a go repairing it whilst wrapping the lid...used a miniature nut & bolt from my sons meccano set & it's now almost 90% perfect !!

The lid is just a stupid, fragile design which was fortunately replaced in the facelift models, just have to keep telling passengers to keep their elbows off the damn thing.

There's loads of standard armrest bits about, they're interchangeable...;)

[I want a T5]

Plastidip it if the black comes away

I've been reading about this Plastidip......interesting stuff. Some people have done their whole car and wheels!

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=262013