The UK Hyundai Coupe Club

as long as its done proper it actually looks good i saw the roof done on a corsa in real life the other day (first time ive seen it on the roof in real life) and i have to say i was more impressed with it than what id seen on pictures

the quality of the vinyl and the quality of the fitting has a lot to play in this, if you use vinyl that just doesn't have the right look or texture, or is even just printed then it'll look cheap and tacky, if you use good quality stuff and fit it well (well conformed, no splits, no deforming) it can look very professional.

Personally the 3M stuff i think looks awful and you can clearly tell its not Carbon and it is also to dull imho.

I had mine done professionally and had Printed Vinyl looks great, is nice and shiny with the rest of the car and most important looks like real carbon.

However having a grey car helps it i think as it blends quite well im not sure how my vinyl would look on a red car for example.

Its like anything you get what you pay for and the guys i used where very helpful showed me the product before putting it on always making sure it was exactly how i wanted.

simple answer to the op - Yes

It also depends on what you have done.

IMO if you have a stock car you don't go out and get half of it covered in vinyl until after alloys etc etc

I don't get it. Carbon fibre is uber light and the reason for having it is to lighten the car thereby improving power to weight. Yes? So why wrap something so that it's actually heavier (OK maybe only by a few grams but heavier nonetheless) and usually (not always, but more often than no) looks a bit shabby.

Maybe it's just me but my idea of modding is to improve performance/handling and aesthetics are a by-product. I, personally - and I expect to be shot down in flames for this - think that cosmetic mods (Carbon wrap, bodykits, etc) are something of a waste as they make the car into a sheep in wolf's clothing, often just adding weight and hindering performance.

I love a sleeper where there is a rip-snorter of an engine with comparable handling and stopping power in a car that doesn't look anything more special than it does in standard trim. Just give out a few clues, like slightly wider rubber or lowered suspension (coilovers, obviously ).

A prime example is MrKieran's Gen2. Looks pretty much stock but it's (hopefully) going to be a seriously kick-bottom car.

OK. Rant over. Let the debate rage

Lol each to their own. I understand performance mods on certain cars but not the coupe

If I had a gen 2 the last thing I'd spend that amount of money on is a turbo.

And what about clear coating the carbon vinyl? It's said that it makes it look better and lasts longer.

if your going to the bother of making it permanant like that you would be best off getting a real carbon sheet and applying that over the items then clearcoating.

LiDL wrote:if your going to the bother of making it permanant like that you would be best off getting a real carbon sheet and applying that over the items then clearcoating.

I want to do the external door catches, the curve and maybe the handle as well. What do you think, shouldn't I clear coat?

I've never done it and probably wouldn't recommend it

When done properly it looks really smart....when not... it looks like the biggest fail LOL! Seen someone drive into The Fast Show this year and he had wrapped his wing mirrors... They looked terrible, full of air bubbles and creases haha.

here is mine wrapped i like it ..

not done any bodywork (doubt i will be doing either, just not my thing!)
but here are some bits I've done inside
members-projects/smokies-ride-t17595.html
dont think it looks tacky at all to be honest

eurgh! is my 2 pence worth!

lol thanks for that.....heres ya penny change!

Hi,

IMHO it all depends on your perception of what carbon should look like in the first place. The "in thing" at the mo is the super shiny look which isn't actually how it looks when it comes out of the mould. To get this look alot of time and money is spent laquering the carbon weave after it has been cured, some of the Aftermarket names use upto 7 layers of laquer over their products.

Fresh moulded carbon has a satin sort of look to it, normally with a gel/flow coat over the top to give it UV protection.

I dont see why you couldn't use the vinyl and then have it laquered if thats the look your after cheaper and highly polishable once laquered.

I recently bought some 3M Di-Noc Carbon Fibre Vinyl, it has that woven look and feel, looks real IMHO.

I dont think there is a substitute for carbon fibre but not all can afford it so it depends on how much you want to use really.

Gnash

Almost forgot heres the 3M Di-Noc Carbon Fibre Vinyl -Ebay Item:120719221533from fleabay- Item is 10 samples of the range.

It gives you a hands on idea of what the product is actually like.