quote Originally posted by Chris Hodson: My going rate is about $2500 for a nice bc/cc paint job. You pretty much still have to do the prep work using wraps so why not just put paint on your car. Wraps im amusing do not have the depth a good paint job has. wraps may be easy to take care of but a good paint job should last a heck of a lot longer. I vote bc/cc. Leave the wraps for the ricers

True you cannot wrap over lumps so you have to have it perfect to start. If using real carbon fiber you even need to paint it black to start. I am sure here there are many interested in carbon fiber/ Sure it is done as wraps on ricer cars but they are replicating BMW and Ferrari's real carbon fiber so unless doing a graphic wrap it isn't so rice replicating carbon fiber. Nothing beats a good paint job but i still like to see some of the intriguing wraps my interest is limited to replicating carbon fiber for my own use as the real stuff is messy expensive and time consuming to finishing it to a decent standard unlike a quality wrap peel and apply. But i am happy to view what else people have done with cars that i may not have seen before.

3D Twill-Weave Carbon Fiber Vinyl Film Di-NOC well i am in best price on ebay just bought some
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymot...ck_Parts_Accessories

[This message has been edited by Australian (edited 08-26-2010).]

It is not hard at all to paint something to look like carbon fiber. Check out youtube, there are many tutorials on this

I was going to get my Fiero wrapped in matte black vinyl by a company that mainly does lambos, ferraris and porsches. I was quoted aprox $1700 if I did some of the prep work (serious cleaning and claybar) and removed all the trim. They actually mask everything that isn't supposed to get any vinyl and wrap it in a paint booth to prevent getting any dust and debris under the vinyl.
The vinyl they use is http://www.orafol.com/en/su...m-wrapping-cast.html
It's very easy to apply because it's breathing so air bubbles will slowly disappear.

I've been quoted $4000-4500 for a show quality paint job and that's if I remove everything from the car.

Both the vinyl shop and the paint shop wants me to remove the moldings and if I can the quarter windows (they are cracked), well I have new quarters in a box.

The reason why I changed my mind is that I got tired of matte black cars.... and most people don't get it.... they believe it's just primered and not finished.

"rat look" on a fiero would be fancy ...but the most people don't know why

No offense, but these wraps just reminds me of back in the day when this was popular:



Of which has pretty much all but disappeared...IMHO, just another passing fad.

[This message has been edited by Mickey_Moose (edited 08-27-2010).]

I don't see the real need for vinyl wraps when you can use a flat base clear coat. I was watching Over Hauling with chip Foose and he used a flat clear coat over the paint and the results were similar to a wrap, but the protection of a clear coat. I wish I remembered which show featured it.

The wraps aren't supposed to be protecting the paint. It's replacement for paint.

the only way i would use a wrap is for custom Graphics it is cheaper than a custom graphic paint job

Glad to see this topic got back on track!

Having installed around a hundred wraps i would like to give my opinion on this. Wraps and custom paint are two very different methods for achieving the same goal, both with the upsides and downfalls. I dont know a whole lot about custom paint, but i know a lot about wraps so i can focus more on that. A wrap is not going to be show car perfect. There are so many challenges involved with a wrap, there's a lot that can go wrong. The biggest would be design. A wrap is designed 2 dimensionally. (and obviously has to be printed 2 dimensionally (the flat vinyl)). Bringing a 2 dimensional design onto a 3 dimensional vehicle creates a lot of problems, like elements not lining up, sizing isnt accurate, etc. You also have to worry about material failure. Not all vinyls are created equal. I have removed cheap vinyl, and the most expensive vinyl and there is a huge difference. The install is easier with quality material (which is going to make your wrap look nicer!), its going to last longer, and look better. Another worry is print quality. You need to see samples of the actual wrap to make sure its going to look nice. Many places that sell wraps (sign shops mostly) aren't set up to do so. At your local franchise sign shop (Sign o rama, Fastsigns, signs by tomorrow) they will sell you a wrap in a heart beat, but it is a struggle the whole way because its a lot of work for everyone involved. The designers don't want to put the effort into designing a nice wrap, and having to actually get them printed and looking nice, and the production people don't want to install them (again...lots of work.) I don't want to say that every sign shop is that way, because its not. i know many sign shops that are great at doing wraps. Find a shop that does wrap frequently, and you can see examples of there work. The install is your last big worry. There are so many little things that could make it less than perfect, i couldnt even list them all. (small knife cuts, wrinkles, bubbles, color fade from stretching, burning, etc.) The fact of the matter is unless your wrap in getting installed by a true master, there will be imperfections.

With all that being said i think wraps are awesome! Unlike paint, your options are limitless. Anything you can see on your screen can be printed, so that doesnt leave much you cant do. If you want to spend weeks designing a super detailed wrap, it would still be the exact same process to make your car look like that. With paint, the more detail, the more money. Pricewise, paint vs. vinyl, if your going for something custom not just a solid color, vinyl will win every time. Your design wont really affect the price of the wrap. (unless your having it designed in house. more design time, more money).

I think if you have a wild idea, your car is an actual driver, not a show queen, and your budget is limited, a wrap is a great choice.
Sorry that was a bit long, and im a horrible writer. - Blake

I want to get a gloss gray carbon fiber wrap on the roof panel and B pillar of my wifes silver C5 Corvette Coupe to give it a ZR-1 look. Which wrap material would be the best to use for this, and what is a fair price for an install of this size? This car will be outside in west Texas sun alot.

I have never done carbon fiber wraps, but when choosing any vinyl i automatically see if 3M makes what i need. (and they do). I think you have 2 great options:

1.You can have the carbon fiber printed onto regular vehicle wrap vinyl and have it laminated with gloss.
I recommend 3M Control-Tac IJ180-Cv3-10

2. Di-Noc Carbon fiber. I have never used this, but i have read a lot of good things. Would love to play with some. With this the material already looks like carbon fiber, no need for printing. It also have a texture to it so i feels like carbon fiber. I don't think it will give you a gloss finish though.
http://www3.3m.com/dmrweb/s...on&albumPassword=mmm

[This message has been edited by 85sliverGT (edited 08-27-2010).]

quote Originally posted by Rick 88: I want to get a gloss gray carbon fiber wrap on the roof panel and B pillar of my wifes silver C5 Corvette Coupe to give it a ZR-1 look. Which wrap material would be the best to use for this, and what is a fair price for an install of this size? This car will be outside in west Texas sun alot.

As far as i understand the best product for carbon fiber is di-noc. I just bought a roll cheap 48'' x 52" inches on ebay for $50 delivered

There's a 26 year old kid that drives this Ferrari and parks it downtown next to my workplace everyday.
It is his daily driver and he had it wrapped in flat black.

It looks horrible, in person.
What a waste of a beautiful car.

quote Originally posted by Ayrow: What a waste of a beautiful car.

The paint won't fade under it and it is paint protection too so there is a good chance that if installed well eg no cuts in paint that his paint job may buff up pretty good when he chooses to peel that stuff off. He may just want to look low profile eg rappers are trading bling for matt.

quote Originally posted by 85sliverGT: I have never done carbon fiber wraps, but when choosing any vinyl i automatically see if 3M makes what i need. (and they do). I think you have 2 great options: 1.You can have the carbon fiber printed onto regular vehicle wrap vinyl and have it laminated with gloss. I recommend 3M Control-Tac IJ180-Cv3-10 2. Di-Noc Carbon fiber. I have never used this, but i have read a lot of good things. Would love to play with some. With this the material already looks like carbon fiber, no need for printing. It also have a texture to it so i feels like carbon fiber. I don't think it will give you a gloss finish though. http://www3.3m.com/dmrweb/s...on&albumPassword=mmm

I have seen the Di-Noc It does have a very realistic carbon fiber look but it does have a noticeable texture that might be hard to clean and will hold dust, and wax if you accidentally got some on it. I was looking for a gloss material that would not have this problem. My wifes Vette is very glossy silver and a matte finish roof would not give it the look I want. If you ever see a ZR1 in person the carbon fiber has a gloss finish and that is the look we would like to have.

[This message has been edited by Rick 88 (edited 08-28-2010).]

quote Originally posted by Rick 88: Do they make this now in a gloss finish?

Most that have a gloss finish do not resemble carbon fiber as real carbon fiber has imperfections and the feel of fibreglass. Most replica carbon fiber is smooth but really doesn't look much like the real stuff at all. Di-noc looks real but no it wont hold wax it is not that detailed.

quote Originally posted by Ayrow: There's a 26 year old kid that drives this Ferrari and parks it downtown next to my workplace everyday. It is his daily driver and he had it wrapped in flat black. It looks horrible, in person. What a waste of a beautiful car.

i love the look of it on that car...but picture and seeing things in person can be very different...( quality )

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In recent times, the custom aftermarket car/automobile roadwheel has become a status symbol. These wheels are often incorrectly referred to as "rims". The term "rim" is incorrect because the rim is only the outer portion of a wheel (where the tire is mounted )

I've got a carbon fiber wrap on my other cars hardtop. Just had it put on so there's a few bubbles but was told they should disapear. The wrap was chosen because I had to paint the top anyways to match the color of my car so the wrap was cheaper than painting the whole car. My car has a metallic base so matching really is iffy. After seeing in person I'm thinking of wrapping plastic parts inside the fiero in CF.

quote Originally posted by Mickey_Moose: No offense, but these wraps just reminds me of back in the day when this was popular: Of which has pretty much all but disappeared...IMHO, just another passing fad.

An out of style fad I plan on revisiting.. I love those things.

quote Originally posted by Australian: Most that have a gloss finish do not resemble carbon fiber as real carbon fiber has imperfections and the feel of fibreglass. Most replica carbon fiber is smooth but really doesn't look much like the real stuff at all. Di-noc looks real but no it wont hold wax it is not that detailed.

I had the same idea accept i ended up using woodgrain as i have a tan interior and thought it looks better with tan.Di-noc is also available in Burwood and other timber chromes and marble finishes.

quote Originally posted by habendanio: I've got a carbon fiber wrap on my other cars hardtop. Just had it put on so there's a few bubbles but was told they should disapear. The wrap was chosen because I had to paint the top anyways to match the color of my car so the wrap was cheaper than painting the whole car. My car has a metallic base so matching really is iffy. After seeing in person I'm thinking of wrapping plastic parts inside the fiero in CF.

Pictures?

Lets design some fiero wraps. Just for fun the one below not really what i want i am more a stripe guy but loved the transam murals.

I am adding side stripes for a more retro muscle car look with hockey style gt stripes and my fiero-bird trans-am style pegasus. I currently already have the custom fiero-bird made for the bonnet designed by myself and now available at fierosails and some custom stripes with FIERO GT lettering ford style still have an idea for a fade into the scoops. I am not quite done mentally with my design i am going to use a mix of mopar fade with ford gt styling and transam inspired bonnet to give it the look.
and some of my other designs https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/078449.html

[This message has been edited by Australian (edited 09-03-2010).]

Now I know how I can get that Ferrari I always wanted.

quote Originally posted by Curlrup: I have a question. Every time I have tried the ALSA chrome paint it loses it's luster after the clear was sprayed on. How do you keep it from doing that? I ended up spending $7,000 on a Cosmi Chrome System that really kicked ass. It was awesome but I always wondered what I did wrong with the ALSA paint.

Answer: .... recommend using a non harsh waterbased clear coat. The clear coat paint you used interacts with the chrome paint (like thinner) and dulls... Be sure to test on a scrap piece before painting your final project so you can practice your technique and know what results to expect.

quote Originally posted by MaxCubes: Answer: .... recommend using a non harsh waterbased clear coat. The clear coat paint you used interacts with the chrome paint (like thinner) and dulls... Be sure to test on a scrap piece before painting your final project so you can practice your technique and know what results to expect.

That is the problem I have always used the ALSA clear that came with the kit. It is their clear that they recamend you use for that paint. Must be technique Anyway I moved on to this.
http://www.goldtouchinc.com/cosmichrome/
This does work and is super tough. Used it on fishing reel prototypes when I made prototypes for Zebco. Awesome product.

[This message has been edited by Curlrup (edited 02-07-2011).]