Thinking of carbon vinyl interior? thoughts ...

Hello everybody,

I have been thinking about vinyl covering my dash etc. with the carbon fibre effect stuff and was wanting to know a few things first.

I have spent ages removing the rubberised paint off the panels and cannot decide whether to paint or vinyl cover.

First of all, it looks pretty easy to do but does it look good?

It looks pretty easy to remove if you mess it up a bit, but does that mean that the stuff will peel after a couple of hot days in summer?

Is it relatively hard wearing?

If i do decide to do it does anyone know/remember what sheet dimension / amount i need to do the following:

Ashtray cover

Manual gear surround

Main dash panel

Window switch panel (both driver and passenger)

I know a few ppl have done this on here butjust wanting to pick your brains.

I think a vinyl covering would give the best result on dash panels and the best resistance to the odd knock, the main consideration I would say is on how easy the material is to work around complex shapes and corners? I did my centre console lid and it looked good, just used double sided tape, this made it a lot easier to work with than glue.

Send "Dave" a PM as he does a lot of this and the results are fantastic

Sorry this is such a poor quality picture but here is a pic of mine, Will take some more 2nite, my mate has just done his too with just spray adhesive and a scalpal, he found it really easy

Carbon Fibre it and post some pics

Use something different to carbon fibre....what about kevlar effect instead??

Carbon fibre is done to death.

The carbon fibre looks good imo, but only if its proper carbon wrap, and not the horrible fake stuff. Sure you can get the adhesive carbon wrap sets that are already cut to the correct dimensions online somewhere.

Sorry this is such a poor quality picture but here is a pic of mine, Will take some more 2nite, my mate has just done his too with just spray adhesive and a scalpal, he found it really easy

 

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OK cool.

So i have been looking on ebay and seen some carbon effect vinyl that is self adhesive. Could i not use that?

Or do you recommend the non self adhesive stuff and glue?

BTW i like the look and the steering wheel.

Could someone point me in the right direction of the best stuff to get to DIY-it?

Really want to give this a go but if i am taking the time (and money) to do it then i don't want it to look rubbish.

Also i want a satin type finish and not high gloss.

Any preferences from people on here?

OK cool.

So i have been looking on ebay and seen some carbon effect vinyl that is self adhesive. Could i not use that?

Or do you recommend the non self adhesive stuff and glue?

 

BTW i like the look and the steering wheel.

Im not sure about the self adhesive stuff mate could be good, thanks regarding the steering wheel i'll definately take some better pictures tonight as that one is rubbish quality and the carbon fibre with the chrome rings looks really good

Im not sure about the self adhesive stuff mate could be good, thanks regarding the steering wheel i'll definately take some better pictures tonight as that one is rubbish quality and the carbon fibre with the chrome rings looks really good

Where did you get the stuff from to do your panels?

And did you do the inserts on the steering wheel or was it already like that?

OK

After trudging thru ebay i have narrowed it down to these 2 options for the material?

1. Here

2. or here

thinking the 3M stuff is probably the better option atm. What do you guys think?

Where did you get the stuff from to do your panels?

And did you do the inserts on the steering wheel or was it already like that?

I didnt do my carbon fibre mate it was done by hobbyist on here but my mate did his own and looks just as good, no my momo steering wheel came with the carbon fibre inserts cool aint it lol

Get some 3m Di-noc, fantastic stuff.

Get some 3m Di-noc, fantastic stuff.

Does this stuff require the adhesive then?

Does this stuff require the adhesive then?

It will peel off eventually if you don't use extra adhesive, such as the 3M glue.

Get some 3m Di-noc, fantastic stuff.

Ok so i bought some of this with the 3M spray mount and am gonna give it a go when i have a chance.

Trying it out on the ash tray lid bit first and see how we go.

How hard can it be? lol

using a heat source helps as well, such as a hairdryer. Allows you to fit it to curves etc.

have fun!!

I've used the proper 3M primer first, makes it stick for good on complex areas.

Ok i got the primer as well.

Need to make sure i do a good job and it lasts. Cannot have i peeling off again in the blisteringly hot british summers!

Quick question to the guys who have done it before:

Which section of the dash is the trickiest to do?

Around the ignition 'bump' is the hardest. I managed to the whole panel using one piece of vinyl, you need to shape and heat to the complete bump first and try and remove tension at the base before doing the rest. It's such a bugger to do it took 3 go's to get it right.

Yeah like i said i didnt do it personally but that looks like the hardest part to do, but the fiddliest part to do looks like around the indicator flashers and all the other small knobbly bits lol, keep us updated mate

I found the Indicator arrows fairly easy, use a sharp pointed scalpal to pierce the centre and then run the blade around the edges until it's trimmed up.

AH ok then im just going by what looks hard my bonnet was the hardest, took me ages to cover that in carbon fibre

Will keep you posted about the progress but i don't think i will have much time this wkend to do anything. (even if all the parts arrive today or tomorrow)

First port of call will be the ashtray and the passenger window switch surround.

My idea is to start small and get the technique nailed.

I thought that the manual gear surround would be tricky?