RedRobin

^^^^ Thanks Baz and Rich. Cost considerations aside, I think that the carbon vinyl suits interior work better than real carbonfibre and that the opposite is true for exteriors. But that's only my opinion. I think it's because of the scale and degree of glossiness to the finish. It would have been difficult/impossible to wrap the Recaro seat backs in real carbon without taking the seat backs off and if you've seen the EKTA exploded drawings of those Recaros you wouldn't want to take them apart! I haven't seen any other carbon vinyls yet.

....Judging by the first two posted responses, you're a friendly lot here aren't you. Can't you see past pounds shillings and pence and appreciate the material's possibilities and differences? Perhaps I shouldn't have bothered including the intended-to-be-helpful cost info. P.S. - I like the look of the Lupo in your sig btw.

....No, I certainly do not work for anybody - I don't have time to work! I'm just sharing knowledge and enthusiasm for something and this is just one of many reviews I write but I thought it would be nice to contribute something here as I originally registered on this site just to get a message to porschetrimr, who hasn't replied yet . I'm seeking genuine Interlagos cloth.

.... What prompted doing this was buying some Recaro seats which have very high gloss black backs. At first I thought I would use matt black vinyl but then I became aware of vinyl with a carbonfibre finish. Obviously this has to be absolutely spot-on or it will look shockingly naff. Having found a specialist to do the vinyl wrapping, all that remained was to inspect a sample of the carbon vinyl. WHY? - Because the standard Recaro black backs are extremely glossy and mark easily. - Because, like many, I am addicted to the look of carbonfibre. COMPARISON WITH REAL CARBON FIBRE: This particular carbon vinyl which Raccoon use is subtley textured and the weave is slightly wavy, just like real carbonfibre. It's far less glossy as it doesn't have lots of coats of the lacquer usually used for protection in external use. However, the finish is satin and still catches the light in a visually simulating way. In photographs it can be very difficult to tell the difference and you have to inspect it very closely to see it's subtley different from real carbonfibre. SOURCING: I chose Raccoon - They are very experienced in wrapping whole vehicles in vinyl, whether covered in commercial graphics or plain colours for private cars or even dragster motorbikes. Mine were the first Recaro seats and interior trim they had done and they are "thrilled with the results". They have a network of workshops all over the country - I went to Durley near Southampton. Linky : - Raccoon Vehicle Wrapping Contact : - Sam Williams 02380 013273 INSTALLATION: Strictly to be only undertaken by experts. It requires skill and practice and getting it wrong not only renders the material useless but the whole effect would be lost. It doesn't take long when done by an expert but should never be hurried. The seats and trim should be all removed from the car before wrapping. Two people work together and it's much easier on a bench with plenty of space. Sticky side getting stuck to sticky side would be an absolute disaster! On a 5-door car, it's easier to remove the Recaros via the rear doors and replace them via the front doors. Keep the runners in matching positions. PLUS POINTS: - The appearance is finer and more material-like than real carbonfibre, hence the vinyl is better suited to interior work. - It's considerably cheaper than real carbonfibre. - It doesn't take forever to wait for carbonfibre products to be made and supplied, often from overseas and with added wretched import taxes involving delays, and shipping costs. - It doesn't take long to apply when done by experts. - Raccoon have pride in the quality of their work and will take whatever time it takes to get it right. MINUS POINTS: - It's not the real thing (but does it really need to be?) SUMMARY: I think the photos speak for themselves. Very close inspection will show that it's not real carbonfibre but, depending on the application, it doesn't need to be. For vehicle interior work it looks far more refined and better than real carbonfibre. As an overall look, what I have done has further reduced that silver and chrome trim which the Mk6 GTI designers have sought to increase in their quest for what they perceive as higher quality and in imitation of Audi. Audi offer a carbon pack option on some of their model interiors - It's real carbon and I think it's a bit too glossy. Personally I would never consider using carbon vinyl to wrap a bonnet or wing mirrors but I would wrap a whole car in it, unless it was a Zonda R Pagani, in which case it would be ALL genuine carbonfibre!

.... Hi Dan, I've sent you a PM about a week ago but no reply yet. Am after 1.5 metres of genuine Interlagos cloth for the front (ex R32) Recaros in my Mk5 GTI : - Got to match the back seats : - Any help much appreciated..........

....How do you think I got the car!? Cheers for the compliment, mate

....But wouldn't magnets potentially cause havoc with something (dunno what) in the engine bay (thinking electronics and sensors etc.) Also, a solid suspension jolt would easily move or knock off a magnet. This is how I did mine : - Linky : - How To Position and Fix a Front Numberplate I hope this helps cos I'm not a Lupo owner and so don't have much to contribute to this site, so not here much. I love Lupo's though - My absolute favourite pocket rocket.

....Cheers, Rich. DSG, Milltek TBE, Carbonio intake, AP Racing BigBrake kit, bespoke VWRacing-KW-V3 coilovers, Whiteline Anti-lift Kit (castor), Quaife ATB diff, various carbonfibre body parts and cosmetics, Revo2, and a few other mods including Recaro Sports. She's not maxed out on the bhp but is nicely balanced and very tactile to drive.

....The headlamps are oem Mk5 GTI Xenons. The tails are oem but bought aftermarket from Germany and are LED's. My 'fogs' aren't fogs but are LED Daylight Running Lights by Hella Germany - They automatically switch on with the ignition and switch off whenever any of the other lights come on (Euro legal). Thanks for the compliment.

.... Okay, I don't have a Lupo but a modded Mk5 Golf GTI, and to be totally honest I have primarily registered here to try to contact porschetrimr Dan for some Interlagos fabric - I've just got some Recaro Sports but they are from a .:R32 and so I need Interlagos to match my back seats. Do you have the usual forum 10-posts before you can PM rule here? However, if I couldn't have my Golf GTI and was going for a smaller car, I would genuinely and very seriously want a Lupo GTI. I don't like the Polo - It's neither one thing or the other, but the Lupo GTI is a true pocket rocket and I always admire them at shows and gatherings. I like the Beetles aka Bugs, and Campers too. I'll have a search to post some pics of Lupo's but meanwhile here's my Golf : -