My version of Carbon Fiber trim

[Boxmods360]

Hey people of the AZ. I have been working on a project over the last few weeks and I thought I would share my build.
Now I wanted CF trim from the beginning but I tried a few things before this. I did suede trim which was all color matched grey/ beige to match my seat and carpet color. Where the Shifter is and the front ash trey were done in black suede which I still have now. It looked good but I really thought it wasn’t right for my car. So I then did a brushed aluminum trim which looks amazing! Alas it was not the trim I was looking for.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01160.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01196.jpg

So I really wanted to get some carbon fiber trim and I was going to do it right and buy from OCarbon. This became a problem when I found out the price of around 600 moneys. I really didn’t want to spend that much when I am saving up for other things like REVO stage 1 or a DEVAL splitter or cheap hookers. Anyway I looked at the 3M vinyl wrap stuff and it looks good but it looks like flat carbon fiber. I want a proper high gloss look. So I though why can’t I just make my own Caron Fiber trim!
And that’s what I did! well am doing…

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01190.jpg

I bought a yard roll of 3K 2x2 Twill weave fabric from fibreglast.com . Then I bought some surfboard resin from a fiberglass shop. Its UV resistant and will protect it and keep it looking good for years.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01163.jpg
I forgot to take pictures of the process, but I have 8 more pieces to do so I will take more then. But I do have this one which I have the carbon down and two layers of resin on it. I gave it a little sand then put another coat on.
So here is what it looks like now. Its all polished to a super high gloss finish.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01173.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01175.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01183.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01169.jpg

Now unless you have worked with resin before I would not recommend you trying this your self. This is pretty harsh stuff and you have to be careful, also you may get air bubbles and mess up the surface.

So far I have spent about $150 on everything and I have plenty to do all 8 pieces. Worse case I would buy another gallon and my total would be about $200. This is my first piece and I can't wait to start on the others but I am in school now and don't have a lot of free time. I will post more pictures and keep this updated as I work on them.

[euroazfck]

Looks good man!

[Kerby]

excellent!!![>_<]

[R3V3NANT]

That looks really good! If you can get pics of the next couple pieces in progress, I would love to see them.

[Unum]

Looks good! Too bad your in school I would pay you to do mine.

[A4Face]

Nice work!

[matt@oCarbon]

Good work. [up]

[praudi]

wow looking good hey im in tampa lets get a group of b7s together for a shoot

[Boxmods360]

Hey guys thanks for the positive feedback! I am really happy the way this turned out and I can't wait to make the others. Also definitely a Tampa photo shoot!

[Stewy]

Well done man. Looks great.

[Coderedpl]

That looks really good! If you can get pics of the next couple pieces in progress, I would love to see them.
Agreed!

It Looks really good! Keep us updated!

[Übermensch]

Looks great and well done.

[green a6]

good work

[turbob7togo]

dang, impressed

[B72.0tsline]

Looks good! Too bad your in school I would pay you to do mine.

x2

[ryanworth]

Wow man. Very nice work!

Glad you pulled out the suede btw. Not a fan.

[eskimopunk]

Nice. Just make sure you do them all in the same direction.

[fusionx]

holy shit looks so good!

[arce909]

Damn!!! Very impressed!!! Looks real good... U even got a thumbs up from Matt from oCarbon.. So u have done good..

[Quattro]

great start, let's hope when everything is done they all look like this piece. Awesome start, keep us posted.

[MCT9891]

great job

[Titus@DrivTech]

damn that looks awesome! i'm excited to see how the rest turns out

[D0lphinGrey]

Awesome job. Can't wait to see the how they look once installed. Definitely keep us posted.

[a3s-line]

If I use 3M di Noc on these, can I spray them with clear coat in order to look glossy like the real carbon?

[matt@oCarbon]

If I use 3M di Noc on these, can I spray them with clear coat in order to look glossy like the real carbon?

No, you have to use a resin, in which case you're better off using real carbon fiber instead of 3M di Noc. Real carbon fiber is cheaper per yard than the fake stuff.

[crazytex21]

looks really good man. how much time did it take you to do the one piece?

[Hackman]

Looks good! big contrast with the tan interior.

[shiro1745]

Wow! I want to give this a try. It loks awsome, a few more details on doing it and things we have to watch would be great.

[Boxmods360]

No, you have to use a resin, in which case you're better off using real carbon fiber instead of 3M di Noc. Real carbon fiber is cheaper per yard than the fake stuff.

And even if you did use resin over top of the 3M stuff it would still look like exactly the same except it would have a shiny coating. It would not be the true holographic look like real carbon fiber has.


looks really good man. how much time did it take you to do the one piece?

maybe 3 hours or real work like mixing and applying the resin, sanding and polishing. However it takes a little while for everything to dry, and with it being cold out it took even longer so maybe like a week / week and a half. If I had a drying kiln or something I could have sped up the process.

[JMG]

Good work, looks like a pro job!

[Inked]

x3 on the 'would pay u to do mine' looks awesome

[Boxmods360]

So I had some time today and wanted to start on my trim. I mixed up some resin and went to work.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01201.jpg
I sanded my trim pieces with 100grit sand paper to give the surface a nice key. You want to have something for the resin to bond too. Like hook and loop Velcro.

Next, I rolled out my big roll of carbon fiber and figured out where I wanted to cut my trim pieces. Unfortunately my roll has many damaged spots. It really pisses me off because I can’t use it and I have to waste that piece.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01226.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01228.jpg
All taped up and ready to cut. Also once the tape is put on DON’T REMOVE IT! You will ruin it and have to cut a new piece.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01232.jpg
I left enough room to wrap the piece. It was really too much room, but I wanted to be sure I had plenty and I didn’t have to be so precise on where I put it.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01242.jpg
Ok I have my resin all mixed up and I am ready to give it a nice coat. I mixed up 2oz of resin which is way too much but Its ok I am making something else…
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01240.jpg
Slap some resin on that bitch! Then we wait. How long do you wait, that depends on how much catalyst you put in. What we are looking for is a nice tacky finish but no resin comes off. Mine took about 20min but yours will be different.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01245.jpg
Now here is the fun part where we lay our nice cloth of carbon fiber onto the resin coated trim. And we want to cut and fold it onto the back of the piece. I used tape to help hold it to the back. It is drying now and will be drying until tomorrow.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01248.jpg
This is my trophy/ paper weight thing. I made one by accident when I was building my fiberglass sub box that I will show later on. I like to make one for every project I use resin on. [up]

[NorcalPB]

Looks great. How much do you think this will run you start to finish?

[Boxmods360]

maybe $260 for everything. I am now using a PPG clear coat now instead of just polishing. It gives it that deep black color.

[NorcalPB]

This sounds like more than just your average diy but that's dope you're passionate about this kind of stuff. Sure wish I was

[LampyB]

doesn't ECS sell CF wrap as well? anyone have any experience with their product? ie. quality...

[Gabesta]

woahhh, that looks LEGIT as hell. Awesome work and genius idea! Def alot of $ saved

[Quattro]

way cool! let us know how it holds up/turns out!

[felondnb]

Good work dude [:)]

I've done a bit of carbon fibre skinning myself & you've got a really good result there.

[mr shickadance]

doesn't ECS sell CF wrap as well? anyone have any experience with their product? ie. quality...

they sellsomething like a vinyl that has cf print on it not actual cf.....to get the cf sheets you need to google it

[halik]

That looks fantastic, how much time do you spend wet sanding and polishing it?

Love the brush trophies :)

[Boxmods360]

it took about 1.5 hours of work to sand and polish it up.

[stil]

I salute you dude. Awesome job. Maybe you can help me out too. I have been reading tons of tuts on youtube and the web in general and have attempted it twice on a toyota 4age cam gear cover and have failed at both attempts. I bought epoxy resin and hardener from a composite supplier locally. The problem is this:
the first time i laid a epoxy base coat with black dy mixed in (all from the composite supplier) waited for a tack dry and laid the carbon, the flat portions of the part went on awesome but the part is plagued with quite intricate portions and curves and the cf refused to form those areas properly, i thought putting the epoxy resin on to it would remedy this which it didnt, fail
the second time, i sprayed the cf and part with bostik spray glue, very happy here cos the cf took the shape perfectly, then i laid the epoxy, all the hectic shapes lifted, fail
any advice how to overcome this, i understand that it is a complex shape but i refuse to be defeated
HELP if you can
thanks

[shiro1745]

Can you post some pics of the back of the trim? I'm curious how you folded the cf cloth behind and if that gave you any problems fitting the trim back in place. I always wanted to do this, i hope it won't be a fail.
Many thanks.

[AudiCVT]

Great work, trim looks pretty professional. One caution for all you folks out there wanting to play with polyester or epoxy resin (and worst is polyurethane). The catalysts are pretty hazardous to your health, and one should always don an organic vapor cartridge respirator to do this, not a dust mask, plus gloves. Work outside. No matter how good that respirator is your body and skin will absorb some of the chemical fumes and the possibility of you being sensitized. Consider the tradeoffs between $$$ and your health, especially if your constitution is more sensitive than others.

[jriddle11]

Damn!!! Very impressed!!! Looks real good... U even got a thumbs up from Matt from oCarbon.. So u have done good..

X2

[Boxmods360]

I had a little time today to put some resin on.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01250.jpg
A nice close up
And
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01261.jpg
This is just the first of four layers. I hope to get another set done today or tomorrow.

[Boxmods360]

Can you post some pics of the back of the trim? I'm curious how you folded the cf cloth behind and if that gave you any problems fitting the trim back in place. I always wanted to do this, i hope it won't be a fail.
Many thanks.

It is still drying but I will take a picture of the back soon. I trimmed the edges and taped them to the back.

[Quattro]

wicked so far!

[Boxmods360]

OK, so my goal is to have all of my trim done by Tuesday or Wednesday. I wrapped all of my trim with the carbon fiber fabric. I couldn't really take pictures of the wrapping process. Anyway today I put a nice coat of resin on all of the parts. Now the waiting game begins.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01304.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01306.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01310.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01313.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01314.jpg

[Mister W]

Really good work. I've seen homemade CF trim that looks ugly, but yours is going pretty well when i see the back ashtray cover.
Will you start doing it for other?

[Boxmods360]

Possibly. I am not sure yet. If I do though I will get maybe 5 or so people together like a group buy. That way the cost of the resin would be cheaper.

[Boxmods360]

Should I keep the little chrome accent on the front ash tray lid or remove it? I can't decide.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01328.jpg

Or

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01326.jpg

[chrisftl]

i vote for keep the chrome accent.

[praudi]

keep

[Boxmods360]

That was my thought for the beginning. Im going to keep the chrome. I have a sneak peek for what is to come next.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01322.jpg

Ok its not for the Audi but oh well.

[yungcotter]

Do you have any pics of the final product?

[sneakyboy1]

Looking great man!
Can wait to see how your mac comes out ! Are leaving the apple logo cut out? If so how do you do that?

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

[felondnb]

Keep the chrome - how well does it fit with the added bulk of the carbon and resin?

[Boxmods360]

Do you have any pics of the final product?

Not yet I had a local shop spray it with a PPG clear coat. I am picking it up Wednesday pics on Thursday.


Looking great man!
Can wait to see how your mac comes out ! Are leaving the apple logo cut out? If so how do you do that?

Thanks, I cut the apple logo out and sprayed it with a spray tint. When it turns on it will have a cool glow instead of a bright white apple. I used my Dremel to cut it out.


Keep the chrome - how well does it fit with the added bulk of the carbon and resin?

I decided to remove the trim, It was easier on me and I didn't really want to ruin the flow of the CF. Also there is a warp in it. I test fit everything before I sent it to paint, I did have to trim the sides but it fits like a glove.

[bartles]

Cant wait to see the final product nice work.

[jriddle11]

Cant wait to see the final product nice work.


X2

[Mc Suly]

good for you man!

looks great & cutting costs.

[vbrad26]

screw the CF i want to know more about that macbook lol

[latte]

Nice job! Can't you remove the chrome parts of the of the ash tray cover and stick it on top of the carbon instead of cutting around it.. like how they do with the Quattro badge on the glove box trim?

[Boxmods360]

Yep I am all about saving money, which adds up for more mod money! Its a win win. lol

I put the CF on the macbook two days ago, I have been busy the past few days. I will work on it every now and then. It is looking good though. I will get my camera and take some pics of its progress.


Nice job! Can't you remove the chrome parts of the of the ash tray cover and stick it on top of the carbon instead of cutting around it.. like how they do with the Quattro badge on the glove box trim?

Not really. It is a thick piece of plastic which is set into a grove. If it was glued over top it would stick out too much.

[Boxmods360]

I can't wait I am picking up my trim from the paint shop tomorrow! I took a few pictures of my macbook case. The top is pretty scratched up but the apple is cut out. Also the little orange bits are pieces of my rag, the apple is still a bit sharp. Its a WIP [:)]
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01331.jpg

[felondnb]

At what stage in the process are you cutting the carbon fibre to shape, or for details like the logo?

[Boxmods360]

I have one coat of resin on there, I wanted to go ahead and cut it out before it got too thick. I have 3 more coats of resin to do.

[felondnb]

Ah that's a good plan - I tried to cut it after 3 or 4 coats & it was not easy!

[Boxmods360]

I picked up the trim today, and WOW! It is amazing. All of my many hours paid off [:)]

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01339.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/boxmods360/DSC01343.jpg

I was loosing light fast so I am going to take some better ones tomorrow.

[deeznuts]

nice man looks good....what was your total cost to doing this.

[Boxmods360]

$215 in total

[Mc Suly]

WOW man good for you, start selling it ;)

[Inked]

very nice work

[Inked]

Is there anyway to get that high gloss of a finish using something other than a resin. My fishscale is all messed up and was thinking of painting or something...I was looking through some "brushed" threads and none of them come out glossy like the ones with the resin....I would like the brushed look, if I could add the high gloss on top of it.

[AWDTURBO]

i might try this out .. i like the idea!

[kristokes]

It came out good! [up]

[Boxmods360]

Is there anyway to get that high gloss of a finish using something other than a resin. My fishscale is all messed up and was thinking of painting or something...I was looking through some "brushed" threads and none of them come out glossy like the ones with the resin....I would like the brushed look, if I could add the high gloss on top of it.

If you want a real high gloss, go with a automotive clear coat. I had my local paint shop spray mine with a PPG clear. You could also by a clear spray paint but it will not be like a car finish clear. I did the brushed aluminum on my trim before the CF. It look really good. I would recommend doing brushed.

[Boxmods360]

i might try this out .. i like the idea!

Definitely worth a try.


It came out good! [up]

Thanks dude. I really happy with the final product.