carbon fiber vinyl wrap

[tackyfire1809]

Hey im considering wrapping my body parts in carbon fiber wrap. Anybody had experience with this stuff. I'm trying to she what I can do with a limited budget and the carbon fiber looks like a better alternative to spray painting. Has anybody had experience with this stuff? Like how much to use? I'll post pics show you guys how it goes.

 

[xtreme]

To be honest, I think its a waste of money, I have played around with the 3M vinyl and not very impressed. I would reccomend saving up and having your boby work hydro-dipped, my brother in-law did a part on my bike. Here it is!

 

[ASH]

Extreme, is that the airbox kit from Americansportbike?
That hydro dip looks good. How much would that normally cost somebody.

 

[tackyfire1809]

I've never heard of hydro dip what is it?

 

[pur pony]

hydrographics is the way to go. Its really not that expensive either. I got a quote on dipping a few parts the other day for work. We are also going to order a couple DIY kits as well to experiment with.

you could also try this stuff... we ordered some yesterday to experiment with as well-

http://www.mnpctech.com/CarbonFiber_Gunmetal_Titanium.html

 

[pur pony]

hrydrographics is a process where they float a graphic on the surface of water and dip a part through it. The image is transferred to the part using a spray activator. You can dip just about anything, car parts, guns, toys, anything that can withstand water. Its a VERY cool process.

dipped wheel

dipped guns

dipped snowmobiles - lol

 

[xtreme]

That is the cover from ASB. Below is the link I had posted earlier.

http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/Buell-Firebolt-XB12-XB9/HYDRO-DIPPED-INSTALLED

 

[Retrax]

+1on hydro dipping over vinyl wrap. The dipped parts are much more durable. I saw a display at the St. Paul Car Craft Summer Cruise and it was a really nice finish!

 

[AngryGnome]

There was post earlier with a youtube link. The guy was dipping his radiator pods himself.

 

[xtreme]

To do it correctly you want someone that has an actual setup and spray both, because primer must be sprayed prior to the dip and automotive clear coat must be applied after and not the cheap-o rattle can!

 

[tackyfire1809]

Is there places that do it for you? I've found the do it yourself kits but I don't have that kind of time. I live in san Diego.

 

[xtreme]

Sure is, go to the link I posted in this thread and then click on the highlighted link in that thread. My brother in-law has a professional taxidermy and hydro dip shop!!

 

[tackyfire1809]

Sweet thanks[up]

 

[morrow]

Hey tackyfire,
I just did several parts on my bike this weekend and it turned out great. I have seen a lot of the hydro-dip stuff and I'm not a big fan. When the film is adhered to the object it stretches/deforms making it look very fake. Also it is shiny like paint rather than the textured look of CF. The 3M wrap does not do that and it looks very close to real CF and its so inexpensive. All you really need is a hair dryer to install the 3M. I got a 1'x5' piece to start with to try a few spots and it was only $23 shipped. Check out some pics here:
http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-For...Mods/What-did-you-do-for-your-Buell-today/24/

-Nick

 

[konarider94]

I have seen a lot of the hydro-dip stuff and I'm not a big fan. When the film is adhered to the object it stretches/deforms making it look very fake. Also it is shiny like paint rather than the textured look of CF

X2
im surprised at all the hate on vinyl wrap. when done right its hard to tell its a wrap. it can also be easily done at home and removed to do a different color or texture.

 

[xtreme]

I am a firm believer you get what you pay for! I have an Authentic Buell factory carbon fiber front fender and heel guards and they are covered in shiney clear, so that's why I did my airbox delete cover to match. You can also use a matclear as well if you don't like the shine. I'm by no means saying the wrap is bad! It's just not permanent! I have used the 3m dinoc and it works great. If your on a budget and not 100% sure what u want go with the vinyl!!!

 

[pagedownhere]

Nick your wrap job looks excellent, I have that same wrap, I used it on the windshield and seat cowl of my old R1 looked great and was very durable for the 2 years I had the bike. I also just used it to cover a some imperfections on my headlight projector retrofit I did this weekend. I'll pose pics once it stops raining. The 3M wrap is decent stuff and seems to last a long time outside.

I would just say if you use it don't get real carbon fiber pieces because they don't match. Each looks great on it's own, but when put side by side they are very different. The real carbon fiber parts are shiny and grey in color the wrap is matte and black. That's just what I noticed from having both.

 

[morrow]

Thanks pagedown. I have real CF heel guards and your right they do look a bit different but I still like how it all ties together.

-Nick

 

[BikerGirl27]

Tackyfire - I used to do vehicle vinyl installation at a shop and people would bring moto parts in all the time. If you get someone that really knows how to apply it correctly, it looks very good. The down side is that over time the vinyl will start to come up and/or crack. You cannot avoid this but you can make it last a lot longer by making sure your bike stays indoors when not riding. A temp regulated room is best. Extreme shifts from cold and hot are not good. Being kept outside would be a very bad idea, so if you don't have a garage then I wouldn't do it at all. Also, the different types of vinyl last longer than others. Some places even offer a limited warranty on it as well.

Hope that helps a little
Good luck and post some pics when your done!

-Jessica

 

[tackyfire1809]

It helped alot thank you i found a vinyl design that i want and im going to go for it. I have a garage so that's no problem and it comes with a two year warranty. I am also going to get it installed at a shop. Will post pictures when I'm done.