Carbon Fiber Dash - need advice on which to go with

[AtlantaCobra]

Happy Holidays everyone. Planning to redo my dash in Carbon Fiber and really want to pick the right wrap/sticker. There are so many options that include glossy, matte, 3D, 4D, etc. What would you recommend that provides a great look?

[phileas_fogg]

I used 3M's 1080 vinyl (available on amazon). It's not too glossy & very easy to work with / install. However, I did find it to be fragile & easily nicked when installing the switches & gauges. I recommend painting the bare aluminum to match the color of the vinyl so that if you do get a nick you won't have bright shiny metal peeking through. Also, it may help to let the vinyl "cure" a couple of weeks before populating the dash.

Another option is tolex (https://www.mojotone.com/Cabinets_x/TolexCarpetTweed_x/Mojotone-Black-Carbon-Fiber-Tolex-54-W). I saved this link when another forum member posted that it's used to cover amplifiers for touring rock bands. If tolex can handle roadie abuse, it for sure will handle covering our dash. Give these guys a call & see if they'll send you a sample.

Whatever covering you use, you want to do any tightening on the back side of the dash so you don't scrape up the covering. Also be sure to follow up telling us what you chose, how you installed it, and how it turned out!


John

https://live.staticflickr.com/4306/36248648136_2e2e4e5ad0_4k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XeaNd1)IMG_3561 (https://flic.kr/p/XeaNd1) by jhsitton (https://www.flickr.com/photos/91016165@N07/), on Flickr


John

[AtlantaCobra]

Thanks John. Your dash looks great. Exactly what I'm looking for. By the way, I grew up in Manassas and spent a lot of time in Fairfax. Still call that area "home"

[lewma]

I used the same material as phileas_fogg. Hopefully there's a pic attached of mine here...
118401

[phileas_fogg]

Thanks John. Your dash looks great. Exactly what I'm looking for. By the way, I grew up in Manassas and spent a lot of time in Fairfax. Still call that area "home"

Hah! I went to school at Georgia Tech. We're circling each other!


John

[CraigS]

Way back when a friend did one of the FFR CF dashes. I kept thinking ricer CF w/ a heavy coat of glossy clear over it. When I finally got to his garage to check out his car I was surprised. It was maybe 5 minutes into the looking and talking when I remembered to look at the dash. It was fantastic because he went w/ a flat or maybe satin clear. So, yeah, much like Phileas's, you notice it's CF but it doesn't stand out like a spot light is on it.

[RobCYoung]

I did an FFR carbon fibre dash and console on my MkIII. I found the FFR carbon fibre had flaws along the bottom edge and FFR sent me two replacement panels that were better but thin and still had flaws. I laminated two panels together and came up with a good result that was stiff and only needed anchoring at the ends and dash frame where I mounted a passenger hand hold. I wondered about a clear coat but was concerned that if it got scratched it would be a nuisance to fix so I used a polishing compound and buffing wheel and it turned out great. I was concerned that if you used a wrap it woud stand out and look decal cheap. I trimmed the bottom with an alum and wood trim to match the steering wheel and console I built . The console is inlaid with true carbon fibre sheet. The wood and alum trim offsets the carbon fibre giving it quite a classy look. I have received lots of complements on the interior as I think it harkens back to many cars of this period that had interior wood trim while the CF gives it a more contemporary look.120291
Sorry can't get image to rotate correctly.

Way back when a friend did one of the FFR CF dashes. I kept thinking ricer CF w/ a heavy coat of glossy clear over it. When I finally got to his garage to check out his car I was surprised. It was maybe 5 minutes into the looking and talking when I remembered to look at the dash. It was fantastic because he went w/ a flat or maybe satin clear. So, yeah, much like Phileas's, you notice it's CF but it doesn't stand out like a spot light is on it.

[MCathcart]

When I built #3917 I put the FFR CF Dash in it. I'm not a Fan, things Will Rattle against it. I know very few consider it but the more unusual stuff you do to a car will effect the Sale (one day).

[AtlantaCobra]

Rob, I love how it turned out. And your car appears to be the same color combo as mine so it helps to get an idea of how it will look. Very well done.

-Greg

[cgundermann]

You can also do a real CF veneer laminated to the aluminum dash sourced from Protech Composites (Vancouver, WA):

120347

[Jim Schenck]

For a fair comparison to the FFR dash you have to look at the new ones, those are formed in an autoclave and come sprayed in a flat clear. They were used in the 25th Anniversary car and there are more pics in the gallery: https://www.factoryfive.com/galleries/mk4/25th-anniversary-mk4-roadster-studio-shots/

120348

Whichever way you decide to go I highly recommend the flat finish as it cuts down on the glare and in my opinion looks higher end. (This from someone who has the old gloss style and dash envy)

[GoDadGo]

For a fair comparison to the FFR dash you have to look at the new ones, those are formed in an autoclave and come sprayed in a flat clear. They were used in the 25th Anniversary car and there are more pics in the gallery: https://www.factoryfive.com/galleries/mk4/25th-anniversary-mk4-roadster-studio-shots/

120348

Whichever way you decide to go I highly recommend the flat finish as it cuts down on the glare and in my opinion looks higher end. (This from someone who has the old gloss style and dash envy)


It Is Assistance Like This That Makes Factory Five A Great Company!

[RobCYoung]

Thanks Greg, its amazing how a little interior detail makes the world of difference in taking away the "kit car" feel.


Rob, I love how it turned out. And your car appears to be the same color combo as mine so it helps to get an idea of how it will look. Very well done.

-Greg