RedRobin Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 ....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 WrappingContact : - Sam Williams 02380 013273INSTALLATION: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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigz™ Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 Looks good.. work for them by any chance lolNice write up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted April 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 Looks good.. work for them by any chance lolNice write up ....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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubsy Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 (edited) £95 to wrap 2 wing mirrors you can buy a real carbon fibre skinning kit from carbon mods and do them your self for £40 and still have carbon left over to do more ist not really that difficult Edited April 22, 2009 by dubsy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted April 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 (edited) £95 to wrap 2 wing mirrors you can buy a real carbon fibre skinning kit from carbon mods and do them your self for £40 and still have carbon left over to do more ist not really that difficult....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. Edited April 22, 2009 by RedRobin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baz_79 Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 ....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.Very nice job mate People dont realise the time and skill required and materials that go into the job! My best mate actually wraps cars also (sticker fx) and he has started doing a number of carbon products! Looks very realistic 2 not like the naff square type that you can buy normally either.. Looks like the real thing!!Prices seam high!! but racoon is a very large company with large unit n over heads, thats probs why!! ... quality fitters tho have sean there work..You have to work out if its worth wrapping stuff in carbon over buying the real thing!!Sticker fx can wrap a roof in carbon for £120 + vat ... based in carlisle, cumbria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little rich Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 Looks great! and there work looks top notch,Great Post,Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted April 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 ^^^^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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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