Carbon fiber transmission tunnel top question. Update. working on CF Veneer

[nucjd19]

I am thinking about either having the transmission tunnel upholsters in black or charcoal leather but I have seen some tunnel tops which are covered in carbon fiber and looks amazing. I have the CF dash and would like to get that look (matte CF not glossy) . Has anyone done it and if so can you point in a good direction for supplies and process? Thank you guys so much for your help in this and many other things :)

Picture for your time....
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=148647&d=1622247980

[GoDadGo]

To me, the Carbon Fiber Dash is Hi-Tech yet understated so a matching tunnel top would really tie your interior together.
Factory Five needs to offer a piece like you just described.
Have you thought about trying to making one?

[cgundermann]

I use Protech Composites for real carbon fiber (CF) and you can choose a matte (non glare) finish. Not cheap, but we’ll worth it and UV ray protection. I would request them to apply the 3M adhesive to your sheet. CF cracks with small edge fissures when you cut it. I would laminate it to your tunnel cover, cut with heavy duty scissors or shears with about 1/8 inch stand off. Then simply take a palm sander to the sand down to the overlap aluminum edge (sands easily). This will give you a perfect edge. Place tape over the top (finish side)/stand off edge before sanding so you don’t get any overlap sanding blemishes. Use a Dremel with a high speed rotary cutting bit to open up holes and use the same “stand off” cutting distance and sand flush. I would trim the edges of the tunnel with “L” bracket aluminum or CF to protect the edge.

https://protechcomposites.com/

148799

Sorry, IPad rotates pic…

Chris

[cgundermann]

Protech Composites will send you samples so you can closely match the F5 CF dash.

Chris

[nucjd19]

Thank you guys for the recommendations and tips. I have an email out to Protech and just trying to figure out how to handle the 45 degree upturn at the back of the tunnel and the side edges. I was hoping I would not have to go full resin Carbon lay up as I have never done it and think I would get a better end product if I used their veneer and adhered it to the tunnel. Maybe some sort of edging on the side and a 1 inch strip of CF along the lateral sides. Still pondering how to handle the 45 degree up turn on the back. Their web page said it can bend on a 4 inch radius so not sure I could get it to bend into that 45 degree angle with out cracking it.

[cgundermann]

Their thinnest veneer will handle a 45 degree bend.

Chris

[CFranks]

Thank you guys for the recommendations and tips. I have an email out to Protech and just trying to figure out how to handle the 45 degree upturn at the back of the tunnel and the side edges. I was hoping I would not have to go full resin Carbon lay up as I have never done it and think I would get a better end product if I used their veneer and adhered it to the tunnel. Maybe some sort of edging on the side and a 1 inch strip of CF along the lateral sides. Still pondering how to handle the 45 degree up turn on the back. Their web page said it can bend on a 4 inch radius so not sure I could get it to bend into that 45 degree angle with out cracking it.

Do you even need the 45 degree turn at all? You could consider cutting it off or buying the one from 520speedworks that doesn’t even have the 45 degree piece.

[nucjd19]

Do you even need the 45 degree turn at all? You could consider cutting it off or buying the one from 520speedworks that doesn’t even have the 45 degree piece.

Great point CFranks! Sometimes I get tunnel vision.

[nucjd19]

Their thinnest veneer will handle a 45 degree bend.

Chris

I was hoping to hear that. Thanks for the input.

[egchewy79]

just a comment, but with an open top car and a black CF tunnel, have you considered that it might be too hot to rest your arm on during a sunny day? I hate burning myself with my seat belt buckles in my DD on a sunny day.

[Hoooper]

I made my tunnel top out of carbon fiber using the FFR aluminum tunnel cover as a mold. I used 1 layer of CF and 2 layers of kevlar so it would be safer/more transmission explosion resistant than the aluminum top. Making parts out of CF is fairly easy, but making them look good is not so much. Overall I remade the dash, tunnel top, and radiator nose finish panels out of CF and will also be making the radiator top cover and a panel that I need in my trunk to cover my fuel cell. Since these are all non-structural parts, you can use surfboard epoxy which is UV stable but not as strong as other epoxies you would want in a structural application.

I have bought supplies from compositeenvisions.com, prices are reasonable on there it seems.

As a side note, the CF dash and tunnel top seem to be cooler in the sun than "leather" on the steering wheel

[nucjd19]

I made my tunnel top out of carbon fiber using the FFR aluminum tunnel cover as a mold. I used 1 layer of CF and 2 layers of kevlar so it would be safer/more transmission explosion resistant than the aluminum top. Making parts out of CF is fairly easy, but making them look good is not so much. Overall I remade the dash, tunnel top, and radiator nose finish panels out of CF and will also be making the radiator top cover and a panel that I need in my trunk to cover my fuel cell. Since these are all non-structural parts, you can use surfboard epoxy which is UV stable but not as strong as other epoxies you would want in a structural application.



I have bought supplies from compositeenvisions.com, prices are reasonable on there it seems.

As a side note, the CF dash and tunnel top seem to be cooler in the sun than "leather" on the steering wheel

Yea, this is my concern.... Making it look good. I am sure there is a steep learning curve that is not cheap. Hence my idea of using the veneer overlay. Good to know about the temp issue.

[Railroad]

I rode about 50 miles yesterday, high temp near 80* F. I have the factory carpet on top of the tunnel, no insulation on top or bottom of tunnel cover. I noticed the trim ring for the shifter boot gets pretty warm. Also, my arm rests naturally on the tunnel top. The carpet is comfortable on my bare arm. My point is, definitely consider some insulation on the bottom of the tunnel cover. I think it will get very warm.

[7tvette]

148893
I did this 15 years ago.148894

[nucjd19]

I rode about 50 miles yesterday, high temp near 80* F. I have the factory carpet on top of the tunnel, no insulation on top or bottom of tunnel cover. I noticed the trim ring for the shifter boot gets pretty warm. Also, my arm rests naturally on the tunnel top. The carpet is comfortable on my bare arm. My point is, definitely consider some insulation on the bottom of the tunnel cover. I think it will get very warm.

Will do! I have the Koolmat from Breeze that I plan on installing.

[Hoooper]

If your main concern is high quality appearance definitely either buy plate or veneer. To get a good appearance doing it yourself either requires an investment in infusion equipment or a lot of messing about with other parts while you figure out how to do a top notch job

[nucjd19]

If your main concern is high quality appearance definitely either buy plate or veneer. To get a good appearance doing it yourself either requires an investment in infusion equipment or a lot of messing about with other parts while you figure out how to do a top notch job

Agree with you.I think I am going to go with the veneer. I am pretty sure I could not pull it off with no experience or tools.

[nucjd19]

148893
I did this 15 years ago.148894

That looks great 7t!

[vtullomk4]

We are on a similar path. I am planning 3M carbon fiber on the tunnel, but with wood veneer “pods”. I am experimenting with the install and trying flat and gloss options. Keep me posted as to what you do.

Vince


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[CraigS]

Keep in mind also that thin CF may not stand up to abuse very well. I would want to use a high build clear in satin to protect it.

[nucjd19]

Keep in mind also that thin CF may not stand up to abuse very well. I would want to use a high build clear in satin to protect it.

Good thought Craig. I am looking at the satin finished CF veneer from protechcomposites and it looks like I am going to have to get a rather large sheet as the next size down is about an inch too narrow. I will experiment with the supplied finish and see how sturdy this stuff is.

[nucjd19]

We are on a similar path. I am planning 3M carbon fiber on the tunnel, but with wood veneer “pods”. I am experimenting with the install and trying flat and gloss options. Keep me posted as to what you do.

Vince




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Hey Vince did you form your own CF to get the rolled edge on the sides? Thanks

BY THE WAY, your white 911 targa in the background is just beautiful!

[vtullomk4]

I am using 3M 2080 carbon fiber wrap, not genuine CF. I purchased a tunnel cover from FFMetal. Heavy duty aluminum and has the radius edge. I am using the wrap on the dash and the tunnel cover.

Good eye on the targa. But not mine, my friend who owns the shop. He is letting me use his place (and expertise!)

[nucjd19]

Ok, after extensive researching and phone calls to upholsterers in my area that are blowing me off, I have decided to skin the tunnel top in carbon fiber myself and form it over the side lip then polish it to the same finish as my dash. I know I am making more work for myself but it is what I have in my head for my roadster. So I have ordered an overlay kit and I went ahead and ordered a FFmetal trans tunnel which has no cut outs so I can get the best overlay without dealing with the bump from the shifter hole patch that comes with the kit. I will document my side quest and if it turns out nice I will post my steps and pics on the forum for any one else that wants to go down this route. Should be fun :) I ordered the wrap kit from composite envisions.

[cgundermann]

The Protech composites is actually a plate or sheet of solid carbon fiber with a high build clear coat with UV protection. My dash & misc. parts have held up perfect to the Arizona sun.

Chris

[nucjd19]

The Protech composites is actually a plate or sheet of solid carbon fiber with a high build clear coat with UV protection. My dash & misc. parts have held up perfect to the Arizona sun.

Chris

If this goes Like I hope then I will shoot it with Satin clear to match the dash and give it UV protection. If this becomes a cluster then I will go with CF veneer and cobble something for the edges.

[7tvette]

I used Dragonplate as my supplier.
On a side note I live 3000 miles away from you, but have a sister who lives in Homewood.

Troy

[nucjd19]

I used Dragonplate as my supplier.
On a side note I live 3000 miles away from you, but have a sister who lives in Homewood.

Troy

HA!!! Small world :)

[nucjd19]

I have gone down quite the rabbit hole of overlaying carbon fiber and have emerged LOL! I am not quite done but I plan on a step by step of what I did if anyone is interested in mirroring your CF dash. after prep of my FF metal cover I put down my CF and then coated with multiple coats of resin hardener mix and then after my initial matte clear coat. I have another sanding and clear with final prep but it is matching up nicely.....
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=149908&d=1624747050
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=149906&d=1624747050
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=150625&d=1625885707
FYI there are smudges on it from handing when I quickly installed for fun.

[egchewy79]

that looks great, man!

[Straversi]

Cool!
-Steve

[Hoooper]

Looking good. What epoxy system did you use, and are you planning to give it a final clear coat?

[nucjd19]

Looking good. What epoxy system did you use, and are you planning to give it a final clear coat?

I bought a kit from Composite Envisions which included everything I needed. I will look and see which Resin and Hardener they use.

I after wet sanding up to 800 grit I have shot 3 coats of 2K clear coat matte finish. I need to sand one more time with one more coat of clear and then a little car wax should finish it out ( per my brother who paints high end guitars ). I will give a quality pic at the end with pit falls I learned along the way.