[tmo24]

I tried to search but couldnt find anyone who has done this. I want to CF wrap some parts of the interior and maybe the exterior but I want it to be shiny. Has anyone used the vinyl wrap and then clear coated it? I havent seen the wrap in person yet. Only online. Is the 3M wrap a smooth surface? Just wondering if it would actually work.

[SoCal BimMn']

I doubt it would come out the way you imagine it. Because when carbon fiber hoods and trunks and whatever else carbon fiber with a shiney finish is made it's due to a gel coat and not your regular clear coat you have sprayed over paint. Or any clear coat out of a spray can for that matter. Hope this helps.

BTW 3M carbon has a texture to it.

[lpphreakx06]

Won't work since the surface isnt smooth.

[Andy M]

Hold on, it might be possible. I would worry about cracking but if the wrap is done tight and kept thin enough, many layers of clear coat would actually work. You don't need a smooth surface for clear coat paint. In fact, a rough surface would help with adhesion.

I'd use an adhesion promoter on top of the CF wrap (surface texture likely a polymer base so you'll need it or the clear won't stick), and then I'd go with at least 5 very thin coats of clear coat. If it's still a bit rough, give it time to cure and then polish it down.

Remember the CF wrap is imitation CF, not the real stuff. Real CF parts are epoxy coated though if I'm not mistaken.

[wchoy]

Originally Posted by Andy M

Hold on, it might be possible. I would worry about cracking but if the wrap is done tight and kept thin enough, many layers of clear coat would actually work. You don't need a smooth surface for clear coat paint. In fact, a rough surface would help with adhesion.

I'd use an adhesion promoter on top of the CF wrap (surface texture likely a polymer base so you'll need it or the clear won't stick), and then I'd go with at least 5 very thin coats of clear coat. If it's still a bit rough, give it time to cure and then polish it down.

Remember the CF wrap is imitation CF, not the real stuff. Real CF parts are epoxy coated though if I'm not mistaken.

you are right this should work. real cf parts have an epoxy coating and thats what gives it its strength.

for OP : you can wrap your parts then spray with clear coat a couple times then sand the bumps down and make it a nice even finish repeat process several times and once theres a nice thick layer of clear that will give it the depth you want sand it to make it nice and smooth then hit it with a clear.

now for people who are saying sanding is not going to make it glossy after sanding if you hit it with another coat of clear itll clear everything right up. hope this helps. keep us posted.

[tmo24]

Thanks for the tips. I will have a test piece I can try it on. It will arrive hopefully sometime this week and I'll report back on if it works out right.

[BimmerRob]

not sure if this helps much, but PY speed does offer glossy fabric:
http://www.pyspeed.com/Carbon-Fiber-...-p/rd-8001.htm