View Single Post
      09-01-2014, 06:45 PM   #4
NorCal Einstein
Enlisted Member
United_States
0
Rep
30
Posts

Drives: X1 35i MSport
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: California

iTrader: (0)

I use to work in the automotive aftermarket area for European cars, and in my experience it is hard to come across a place that does wet carbon overlay on existing pieces that looks good. There's a lot of places where it can go wrong. The few of them I remember off the top of my head: bubbles in the resin, uneven carbon weave, fitment issues now that the part is larger due to the overlay process. These quality issues don't just plague the DIY'er, but the "shops" that sell carbon fiber overlay as a service.

With that said, DB Carbon is a very well known and respected player in the carbon fiber interior space. Their prices are extremely high as you've seen, but many say that their quality rivals OEM carbon fiber. DB Carbon is very popular with the Porsche guys because of this.

If I were in your shoes, I'd either spend the money and buy DB Carbon, or get the parts wrapped in 3M Carbon Fiber Vinyl. The 3M wrap looks good (for what it is), and you won't have a issue with uneven carbon weave, resin bubbles, etc. You stated that you don't like the 3M wrap since it looks cheap and doesn't have the glossy finish that real CF has. Just so you know, there are 2 types of carbon fiber...wet and dry. Glossy carbon fiber pieces is generally wet. The "dull" carbon fiber is generally dry carbon. Dry carbon is superior to wet carbon as it is stronger, lighter, and has better tolerances. Dry carbon is MUCH more expensive than wet carbon though. The 3M vinyl mimics dry carbon.
Appreciate 0