Interior/Exterior Did my dash in carbon fiber.
My little dose of LITHIUM
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Albuquerque New Mexico
Here's a link to an article where the Audi modifier ABT wrapped an R8 in carbon fiber vinyl. Picture is not close up, but the car looks hot I recon. Maybe Lyle can get this stuff and start offering it for the Mini.
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/24/a...l-alero-is-ne/
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/24/a...l-alero-is-ne/
My little dose of LITHIUM
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,435
Likes: 2
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
Ive used the Stickercity stuff. It doesnt' have any texture (to the actual "fiber" part, that is--it is glossy, but the reason CF looks the way it does is because of the orthogonal fibres which reflect light to make one direction grey, the other black. As you rotate real CF against a light, each warp and weft changes its reflection from grey to black.) Anyway, the Stickercity stuff has no warp and weft, so it looks the same no matter what direction you look at it from.
The 3M stuff, the CF vinyl fabric and the Audi R8 stuff all have an actual texture, which acts *like* real CF by changing the way light is reflected at different angles of view.
Conclusion: Stickercity stuff = rubbish, other stuff = amazing.
The 3M stuff, the CF vinyl fabric and the Audi R8 stuff all have an actual texture, which acts *like* real CF by changing the way light is reflected at different angles of view.
Conclusion: Stickercity stuff = rubbish, other stuff = amazing.
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3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
Ive used the Stickercity stuff. It doesnt' have any texture (to the actual "fiber" part, that is--it is glossy, but the reason CF looks the way it does is because of the orthogonal fibres which reflect light to make one direction grey, the other black. As you rotate real CF against a light, each warp and weft changes its reflection from grey to black.) Anyway, the Stickercity stuff has no warp and weft, so it looks the same no matter what direction you look at it from.
The 3M stuff, the CF vinyl fabric and the Audi R8 stuff all have an actual texture, which acts *like* real CF by changing the way light is reflected at different angles of view.
Conclusion: Stickercity stuff = rubbish, other stuff = amazing.
The 3M stuff, the CF vinyl fabric and the Audi R8 stuff all have an actual texture, which acts *like* real CF by changing the way light is reflected at different angles of view.
Conclusion: Stickercity stuff = rubbish, other stuff = amazing.
I used to work as a vinyl installer for automotive stuff. Ever see an edible arrangement van in nj? yeah, i probably helped wrap that.
the stickercity stuff is a joke. its a picture of carbon fiber printed on white vinyl, then cleared with another polymer.
not only that, but stickercity is ripping you off BIGTIME. I can get ROLLS of that stuff for what they are charging. :-P
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3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
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looking a bit expensive.
roughly $9 a sq/ft.
only available in LARGE quantities.
Maybe i'll set up an order if i can get a few committed buyers to offset my initial cost.
roughly $9 a sq/ft.
only available in LARGE quantities.
Maybe i'll set up an order if i can get a few committed buyers to offset my initial cost.
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3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
We're getting a small roll in at my part time job. I work at an espresso machine importer/distributor.
We're gonna custom wrap a few of the cheaper models and see how they sell.
I'm going to cut a few swatches and send them out to anyone who is serious about getting in on the large order.
I'll make them juuuust big enough to cover one of your mini emblems.
We're gonna custom wrap a few of the cheaper models and see how they sell.
I'm going to cut a few swatches and send them out to anyone who is serious about getting in on the large order.
I'll make them juuuust big enough to cover one of your mini emblems.
My little dose of LITHIUM
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,435
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From: Albuquerque New Mexico
Well..it wasn't easy 
As you know the vinyl fabric is quite thick compared to vinyl decals, so it took some effort to get it to stick with 3M 77, then I cut the edges and butted them together with superglue--it melts the vinyl very well and looks like a weld. A close inspection reveals the flaws in the approach, but that's very unlikely given its location in the car. I had messed up the removal of the airbag warning decals, so I needed to do something--buy a new one with decals, or cover the messed up one. I'll stick with this until I decide to go back to reading the decals...haha.
I'll PM you about my CF vinyl order, thanks!
As you know the vinyl fabric is quite thick compared to vinyl decals, so it took some effort to get it to stick with 3M 77, then I cut the edges and butted them together with superglue--it melts the vinyl very well and looks like a weld. A close inspection reveals the flaws in the approach, but that's very unlikely given its location in the car. I had messed up the removal of the airbag warning decals, so I needed to do something--buy a new one with decals, or cover the messed up one. I'll stick with this until I decide to go back to reading the decals...haha.I'll PM you about my CF vinyl order, thanks!
The roof looks good too.
