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New CF alternative

Old Feb 10, 2011 | 11:59 PM
  #26  
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Hmmm this website says the 1080 is 9 years outdoor and 30 years indoor
http://www.metrorestyling.com/Search....asp?Cat=12926
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Old Feb 11, 2011 | 12:46 AM
  #27  
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whatever you feel comfortable buying. I purchased it from carbonfiber gear because they looked real legit where as stickercity sounded like I would get some cheap material so its whatever you prefer. 9 years is a long time if you decide to keep the car that long.
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Old Feb 11, 2011 | 10:18 AM
  #28  
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Valib's interior wrap looks great. I am wondering if the 1080 film as featured in the OP's first post would look too shiny and "fake" or cheezy in the interior... IT would however end my debate on a CF roof or a gloss black roof wrap. It seems to incorporate both.

Has anyone tried to wrap the OEM diffuser?
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Old Feb 11, 2011 | 01:01 PM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by jctevere
Valib's interior wrap looks great. I am wondering if the 1080 film as featured in the OP's first post would look too shiny and "fake" or cheezy in the interior... IT would however end my debate on a CF roof or a gloss black roof wrap. It seems to incorporate both.

Has anyone tried to wrap the OEM diffuser?
I am going to try to wrap the grill and see how it looks. BTW im in ny too, what did you do to your headlights, lamin-x material or just tint
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Old Feb 11, 2011 | 01:04 PM
  #30  
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Lamin-X "Tint" color on the headlights and foglights. My signature I played with the original image and darkened it a bit. However, in real life it doesn't look too far off. But my sig makes it look more like the gunsmoke color. I didn't go for that though as I thought it would impede my light output too much, whereas, with the tint color I don't notice it. Besides, my 55w HID DDM shine right through.

I figured it was a good compromise to the blacked out housing look since my car is leased. If I buy it I will probably paint it. In which case it would look like my sister's 2011 c on the right in my sig.
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Old Feb 11, 2011 | 01:25 PM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by jctevere
Lamin-X "Tint" color on the headlights and foglights. My signature I played with the original image and darkened it a bit. However, in real life it doesn't look too far off. But my sig makes it look more like the gunsmoke color. I didn't go for that though as I thought it would impede my light output too much, whereas, with the tint color I don't notice it. Besides, my 55w HID DDM shine right through.

I figured it was a good compromise to the blacked out housing look since my car is leased. If I buy it I will probably paint it. In which case it would look like my sister's 2011 c on the right in my sig.
I tried using the lamin-x tint as well but it was my first time using something like that and I messed up real bad. Hard to get it around the lines and I didnt have a heat gun at the time. Might try it again. Do you have HID fog's
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Old Feb 11, 2011 | 01:39 PM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by valib24
I tried using the lamin-x tint as well but it was my first time using something like that and I messed up real bad. Hard to get it around the lines and I didnt have a heat gun at the time. Might try it again. Do you have HID fog's
Yeah, you really have to read the instructions, and I am a bit upset that they didn't make it more clear. They told you to make sure you spritz the inside of the film and the glass before you apply it. But they don't tell you to wet the outside. It would have made it much easier, and the water does no harm. The film breathes, and can wisk away water, IMO much better than the bubbles. I would try to contact them to see if they will refund you or send another for free. I didn't really use a hairdryer or heat gun, I just left them in the sun, I guess it would have made the install a bit easier to use one...

I don't have HID fogs, but I think I will get them. I have 55w GP thunders 8000k tinted halogen, crap light output, but its really only for the look. However, the halogen bulbs run too hot and my films are browning and burning. I am going to see if they will warranty them and then I will install 8000k 35w HID (as they will run cooler and hopefully not burn the film). What I find funny is that my 55w HID don't burn the film in my headlights. Perhaps because there is a lens between the outside glass and the bulb, or because it is further away, or both. Does anyone have experience on HID in the fogs with Lamin-x and if they cause browning/burning?

Last edited by jctevere; Feb 11, 2011 at 01:42 PM.
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Old Feb 11, 2011 | 05:17 PM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by jctevere
Yeah, you really have to read the instructions, and I am a bit upset that they didn't make it more clear. They told you to make sure you spritz the inside of the film and the glass before you apply it. But they don't tell you to wet the outside. It would have made it much easier, and the water does no harm. The film breathes, and can wisk away water, IMO much better than the bubbles. I would try to contact them to see if they will refund you or send another for free. I didn't really use a hairdryer or heat gun, I just left them in the sun, I guess it would have made the install a bit easier to use one...

I don't have HID fogs, but I think I will get them. I have 55w GP thunders 8000k tinted halogen, crap light output, but its really only for the look. However, the halogen bulbs run too hot and my films are browning and burning. I am going to see if they will warranty them and then I will install 8000k 35w HID (as they will run cooler and hopefully not burn the film). What I find funny is that my 55w HID don't burn the film in my headlights. Perhaps because there is a lens between the outside glass and the bulb, or because it is further away, or both. Does anyone have experience on HID in the fogs with Lamin-x and if they cause browning/burning?
the lamin-x burns on the fogs without hids so could imagine with. Im on my third set, and they last about 4 months before starting to get brown. Im not buying them anymore. I just cant find a reputable shop that can do my hid fogs and I dont know where to start if i do it myself
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Old Feb 11, 2011 | 07:03 PM
  #34  
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I just received my roll of 3M Scotchprint 1080 film. Nice! I also received my sample pack from 3M. The pictures don't do it justice. I am amazed how realistic the brushed metal films look. WOW!
Attached Thumbnails New CF alternative-img_1416.jpg   New CF alternative-img_1417.jpg   New CF alternative-img_1418.jpg   New CF alternative-img_1419.jpg   New CF alternative-img_1420.jpg  

New CF alternative-img_1421.jpg  
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Old Feb 11, 2011 | 07:04 PM
  #35  
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Here are some more samples. Sorry for the crappy iPhone pics.
Attached Thumbnails New CF alternative-img_1422.jpg   New CF alternative-img_1423.jpg   New CF alternative-img_1424.jpg  
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Old Feb 11, 2011 | 07:42 PM
  #36  
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Pretty cool. I would love to see the black carbon fiber on some interior/exterior parts on the car. Please keep us posted!

@ Valib24: I was afraid to install HID myself at first, but after doing it, it really is very easy. Especially on the fogs. In fact, there is a DIY step by step procedure in the DIY collection stickied thread. Also, HID's actually run cooler than halogen bulbs. Which would explain why my 55w HID didn't burn my Lamin-X films but my halogen bulbs did. When you consider that you can get 35w ones that are brighter than 55w halogens, that would even futher reduce the heat.
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Old Feb 11, 2011 | 07:55 PM
  #37  
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Originally Posted by jctevere
Pretty cool. I would love to see the black carbon fiber on some interior/exterior parts on the car. Please keep us posted!

@ Valib24: I was afraid to install HID myself at first, but after doing it, it really is very easy. Especially on the fogs. In fact, there is a DIY step by step procedure in the DIY collection stickied thread. Also, HID's actually run cooler than halogen bulbs. Which would explain why my 55w HID didn't burn my Lamin-X films but my halogen bulbs did. When you consider that you can get 35w ones that are brighter than 55w halogens, that would even futher reduce the heat.
I guess I can give it a try. I installed the HID's on my headlights and that was easy.
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Old Feb 12, 2011 | 09:16 PM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by valib24
thank you, installation was quite easy.
Your craftsmanship looks flawless, well done...One question, any reason you did not keep the shifter surround going in the same direction as opposed to having the pattern opposite from the rest of the area?
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Old Feb 12, 2011 | 09:55 PM
  #39  
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valib24 how long did it take you doing this project? did you remove these pieces or left them in place?
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Old Feb 12, 2011 | 10:08 PM
  #40  
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Originally Posted by Scat01
Your craftsmanship looks flawless, well done...One question, any reason you did not keep the shifter surround going in the same direction as opposed to having the pattern opposite from the rest of the area?
thank you. The reason I did it is because when I had everything going in the same direction, it looked a little off so I thought to make it noticeable, I changed the direction. Looks ok to me.
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Old Feb 12, 2011 | 10:10 PM
  #41  
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Originally Posted by Spec_Davis
valib24 how long did it take you doing this project? did you remove these pieces or left them in place?
I removed all the pieces except the door frame. I cut precisely and it is very difficult to make it stick but be patient and use a lot of heat.
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Old Feb 12, 2011 | 10:18 PM
  #42  
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heat meaning blow dryer or heat gun? how much did you buy your roll of 3M?
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Old Feb 12, 2011 | 10:21 PM
  #43  
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Originally Posted by Spec_Davis
heat meaning blow dryer or heat gun? how much did you buy your roll of 3M?
I tried blow dryer but it would take too long so its better if you have a heat gun like I did. I paid $112 for 48" by 48"
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 12:09 PM
  #44  
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Ok, so here is the 3M ScotchPrint Gloss CF wrap. I think it looks great. Even better in person. I will tackle the doors next weekend.







-Walter
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 12:26 PM
  #45  
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Originally Posted by obsidian05e55
Ok, so here is the 3M ScotchPrint Gloss CF wrap. I think it looks great. Even better in person. I will tackle the doors next weekend.



-Walter
looks great. Where can I get that shift knob I hate the silver one I have.
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 12:41 PM
  #46  
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Looks good! I am glad you didn't wrap the immediate shifter surround and left that aluminum. I was thinking of doing the same thing and I was wondering how it would look. It looks pretty good.

Is it possible that you can take a picture of the dashboard from the back seat looking forward for a "far away" shot, perhaps when you do the doors.

As far as his shifter knob, Mercedes now makes the leather covered ones OEM. You can get them at parts.com, or I am sure third-party vendors will carry them for cheaper too. They come in I think 2 colors (tan/brown, and gray/black).
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 12:43 PM
  #47  
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Originally Posted by obsidian05e55
Ok, so here is the 3M ScotchPrint Gloss CF wrap. I think it looks great. Even better in person. I will tackle the doors next weekend.







-Walter
WOw Walter ....... the 3m wrap looks great !! I really gotta get this done on our C .... i am so bored with the aluminum trimming
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 12:49 PM
  #48  
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Thanks! The shift knob is the one that came with the car. Its a C63. Ill get some more pics as soon as I get a chance. The car is still garaged till the streets clear up from all the melting snow/salt.
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 01:22 PM
  #49  
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Originally Posted by obsidian05e55
Thanks! The shift knob is the one that came with the car. Its a C63. Ill get some more pics as soon as I get a chance. The car is still garaged till the streets clear up from all the melting snow/salt.
you wouldn't know the part number for it would you ?
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 01:30 PM
  #50  
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A 204 267 2310 9E38

Last edited by obsidian05e55; Feb 14, 2011 at 01:38 PM.
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