Purchased some carbon wrap to play with.

[Kalstar]

I purchased rocker extensions and front splitter from Vraptor for my GTM (BTW was told by F5R that the splitter and rocker extensions for the 818 will be the same size and cut as the GTM, interchangable). The pieces came in raw aluminum for $400.00 for all three pieces, shipped. Since I plan to wrap the 818 I purchase some carbon wrap to practice. Very happy with the results and the ease of install. The stuff I used was not the 3M stuff but looks like an exact copy even down to the air channel release technology...maybe it was just rebadged. I bought 60" by 180" 5'x15' for $114.00 shipped that is less then half the cost of the 3M stuff. The splitter has very tight curves and this stuff simply followed the curve with no drama. Even from a few inches away this carbon fiber wrap looks great. I have real carbon fiber and unless they are side by side one will have a hard time telling this is not real. Here are a few pic, one with the splitter done and a raw uncovered rocker extension and a close up of the finished splitter. If this wrap is any indicator to the diffuculty of wrapping the 818, I can't wait to get my hands on the body.

[thestigwins]

I have found that some curved objects can be a pain to wrap. That being said, the 818 should be simple especially because you can wrap each panel on or off the car. I just can't wait to see you guys building these cars.

[longislandwrx]

Nice work. how far did you bring the wrap on the underside?



can you give the dimensions and thickness of the splitter and extensions?

[Kalstar]

I wrapped the material around about an inch, the bottom is painted flat black so it blends in nicely. I was planning on using thin double sided tape then rivet them in but the more I think about it, the double side tape in not such a great idea. The tape would make for a difficult job if the parts ever need to me recovered and if the rivet were not 100% seated the tape would stick to the car and the vinyl material but not the part itself causing tears, the rivets should be permanent enough. The rocker extensions are easy to measure the splitter not so much.

[fastthings]

If I was going to wrap a car I would use this color. Check this out.
http://youtu.be/gkV7aeLGd4g

[Red Tag]

You can buy it here. About $5.50/square foot.
http://www.topvinylfilms.com/catalog/Specialty_Colors_Wrap_Vinyl-91-1.html
I was thinking of using the chrome film for my racing helmet. It is alot easier than actually chroming a helmet.

[carbon fiber]

fake cf!? blasphemy!

[Kalstar]

fake cf!? blasphemy!

I was waiting for you to jump in. :-)

I like real better, but fake is ok too, wait are we still talking about carbon fiber?

[longislandwrx]

I see what you did there.

Interesting point though. Kalstar what's the price of these items already in CF? Was time + materials worth doing it yourself?

[Samiam1017]

Isn't the splitter on the 818s carbon ?

[carbon fiber]

about $800 for the three pcs. from ffr for the gtm.

[Oppenheimer]

Car parts on the kitchen counter, nice. Probably not the first time. Has the wife seen these pics?

[Samiam1017]

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-general/2928371-vinyl-wrapping-diy-tutorial-lengthy-and-major-pics.html

I found this on another forumn.

[Kalstar]

The savings was about 400.00.

As for the parts on the counter, not a big deal. Now last summer when I used her $2500 oven to cure the heat required wrinkle paint, Now that got her attension.

F5R just confirmend they have made further revisions and the GTM splitter will not be used and though the rocker extensions were the same they were cut way down to make them fit propertly. Love the fact F5R keeps making revisions that will result in a better, more unique end product. Keep the improvements coming.

[longislandwrx]

whats the proper way to cut cf? is a cnc/waterjet/laser required?

[Matty_STi]

whats the proper way to cut cf? is a cnc/waterjet/laser required?

High quality shears for the fabric or cnc fabric cutter if you've got a few thousand sitting around lo

Actual rez'd panels: water jet, cnc router with fine bit and slow path and cut speed to prevent heat build up. personally I use a dremel or a router with a fine bit, occasionally tin snips to cut out big chunks and then fine detail with a dremel.. NOTE if you are cutting cf and making dust of ANY KIND use a high filter rate small micron respirator and sealed safety goggles in a well ventilated space (i also have my shop vac on the work piece pulling the dust in as well). CF Dust is not good at all for you, the pieces are incredibly sharp and can cause lung damage (think about coal lung and asbestos exposure) though not carcinogenic it's not healthy in the least.

Matt

[longislandwrx]

sounds delicious.

[carbon fiber]

i use a die grinder and thin cutoff wheel to cut it after it's set up.

[metalmaker12]

Cutting wheel, router, band saw, and a jig saw if your good enough

[Kalstar]

Splitter support struts just finished. Though I do not think the splitter needs them, they will look good and maybe help support the splitter at high speeds. They are fully adjustable. The carbon was waste materail from the splitter.

[metalmaker12]

About time you did something

[Kalstar]

Installed the splitter and rockers today.

[Matty_STi]

sexy

[longislandwrx]

did you make up some little stickers that say "no step"

[Kalstar]

Funny you say that, I was thinking of making "no step" stickers out of the carbon wrap cut against the grain so it would be there but almost invisable. They dont stick out that far at all, I just thought it might be funny to have the stickers on there. BTW the F5R ones stick out further,

[gwader]

Looks great!

[Kalstar]

Wrapped the cold air intake elbow. Used a scrap piece incase it was too diffucult. It was easier then I thought. A hair dryer and 45 mins this is what I ended up with.

[metalmaker12]

nicccce jim, now you can wrap yooo playa, i gotta drive that thing

[joecamire]

That stuff is great. I put some on the front spoiler for my challenge car. It holds up much better than paint. Yeah its not real CF but it looks good anyway.