3M DI NOC Carbon Fibre

[Talkwrench]

I'm not sure this is the right place for this thread as it isn't B5 related really but I thought I would share it with you anyway. I had a break from the project car this afternoon to help a good friend of mine apply 3M DI NOC carbon fibre to the roof of his BMW 645. I know there is alot of interest amongst you guys for carbon fibre parts like B pillars, mirror casings, interior belt line trims etc and this would be perfect for that purpose. This isn't cheap halfords stuff, this is the real deal has been used in the new Focus RS I believe. You could never get the same flawless finish in carbon fibre without an autoclave, £££££ worth of tooling and plenty of practice and it still won't be flawless in terms of weave distortion, I know because we cover are planes at work in the stuff!

Any way tools required:-

• a hair dryer / heat gun
• a squeegee
• Patience
• sharp scalpel
• plasters!

This stuff is truly amazing, the adhesive on the back side is laid out in such a way that the air doesn't get trapped underneath, when you apply heat it becomes all floppy & even stickier to help mould around those tight radius's and complex shapes, also when heated up you can force the creases out very easily, Oh and did I mention that its completely reversible at any time! Just apply heat and remove slowly, just like a plaster!

I was very apprehesive to do this to such a nice car but I have to say it would definately turn your head!

So what do you guys think? Please feel free to be honest as I would value your views.

 

[B5NUT]

I think I like it but, there is a level where you go from a minor mod to a major chav. I've seen every trim panel on an A4 covered in that stuff and it just looks wrong.

The only thing about doing the 6 is does it really need it.

 

[Talkwrench]

I definitely agree, it is a fine line between being a minor touch and full blown chav. Myself and the owner are fully aware of this, I think it looks really good the finish we acheived was flawless, properly tucked in beind the seals and not a crease or air bubble in sight. Now an A4 completely covered in CF does sound wrong, although I have seen cars vinyl wrapped in all manner of finishes and they looked awesome.

The 6 is a beautiful car no question, sounds awesome and the pace is relentless while sat super plush but the M6 has a carbon roof and this 6 wears OEM M6 wheels so you can see what the owner is aiming for.

 

[B5NUT]

I Know exactly what the owner is aiming for, I've been there myself (but not with a 6). Does he have any other plans on further mods to the 6?

 

[Talkwrench]

Full custom stainless exhaust with proper resonators and anti reversion chambers, should be sweet. Other than that im not sure, although a while back I caught him intently reading about the VF engineering supercharger kits that are supposedly in development for his engine. It is proper clever that motor, there is no throttle body at all, its valvetronic!?!

 

[Foxmeister]

TBH lots of people rave about this stuff, but personally i dont see how it compares remotely close to genuine CF. It has a very dull finish compared to genuine CF when finished with resin and polished up, and i dont think it has the depth that the real stuff has when it catches light from certain angles etc.

However it does look good for vinyl compared to lots of other stuff on the market. Looks like you done a top job on it.

 

[manzi]

i did think of doing my bonnet with this. i think this where the fine line is lol

reason i was thinking of doing it was because someone has keyed my bonnet (down 1 side, across and up other) and was just trying to find a solution to sort it ........cheaply

Di Noc isn't cheap is it for a B5 bonnet?

 

[Geeman]

I worked it out as being a £150 mod to do my roof in it. Not cheap, but has an excellent write up from everyone that's used it.

One question... how do I get my rain channels out as I would want to cover them in it too, so they match up with the outer edges of the front and rear screens...

 

[calvin]

In case anyone is interested, I deal with 3M through my business and buy large amounts of DiamondGrade and other specialist vinyls - I'm looking to supply DI NOC to expand the wrapping capability of our company - so can supply this if anyone is interested, and would be happy to do small amounts (like metre lengths) if there's interest.

I dont currently stock it, but am looking to do so - I reckon I'll be able to supply it for about £40 a metre (ex VAT), but comes in 1220mm width, so you could do a whole bonnet for a couple of metres. As In2Deep says, its positionable, removeable, fairly easy to work with too.

I agree that it has a more matt finish than "proper" CF, but in my opinion its not trying to look like a resin finish. Nice cheap way of smartening up wing mirrors and B posts tho!

anyway, just my 2p in case it is helpful / relevant.

 

[mckay9uk]

The thing i dont like about it is that it's not practical, the reason i covered some mirror casings in Carbon was firstly that it made them stronger and more resistant to impact ie a drive by mirror collision. This type of material is just cosmetic and the modifications that i have made to my car have a practical use 1st and a cosmetic appeal 2nd. But each to his own !

 

[Broken Byzan]

I am tempted to do this with my beltline trim and double din faceplate, like Oranoco did. pehaps with a coat of lacqure to make it look less dull?

 

[Talkwrench]

The thing i dont like about it is that it's not practical, the reason i covered some mirror casings in Carbon was firstly that it made them stronger and more resistant to impact ie a drive by mirror collision. This type of material is just cosmetic and the modifications that i have made to my car have a practical use 1st and a cosmetic appeal 2nd. But each to his own !

Sorry mate but I disagree, you skin parts with genuine CF & epoxy for cosmetic reasons alone, it certainly wouldn't survive a collision as you've suggested.

Manzi, just a thought you are not limited to just carbon fibre look DI NOC for your bonnet, there is pretty much every possible finish available, even full on custom jobbie, you just have to get creative. Im sure Calvin could help you out.

Anyway Calvin that's a very competitive price you posted :icon_thumright:

I will be covering a few parts in this for sure, just a few accents here and there nothing major. Tempted to do my beltline and ditch my CF covered ones I made.

In my opinion CF laid on a part and covered in epoxy doesn't make it a carbon fibre part! CF done in this way has a different asthetic to a proper CF part made in a mold and cured under heat & pressure!

 

[calvin]

Anyway Calvin that's a very competitive price you posted :icon_thumright:

My 3M rep likes me at the moment and I have some special pricing - am told it will last for a few months at least (price that is)..

Oh, and yes, there are loads of other finishes in Di Noc... oak laminate roof anyone?!

 

[Oranoco]

Used this on my interior. Awesome stuff.

 

[Talkwrench]

Very nice mate, good job :thumbsup:

 

[phoenixv6quattro]

In SMALL doses very classy....