So last fall my mechanic tore up the aluminum wrap on the center trim when my ignition was replaced. Debated what to do for awhile but finally decided to try the carbon overlay by Direct Car Trim - taking one for the team. My thoughts:

The trim peices are actually really good quality - they really look like real carbon fiber. I guess it should since they say it's real.

The fit I found to be almost perfect. I was really impressed actually at how close they got it. Can't say anything about the product for what it is. There was obviously a few areas that would leave a very slight sliver of wood showing. Also the center trim was actually too slightly too long and forced a slight crease too fit right. But in gerenal the overlay is flexible ebough to make adjustments along the way. What I did was only ripped off small sections of backing and applied as I went along. This avoided having too much sticking down wrong and having to pull it up.

Now here's the REAL problem to deal with, and what I did. It's the sides of the wood trim that are noticable. And in some cases, the non-finished sides of the wood trim (which is a orange wood color) stand out, which was never noticeable before becasue it was close in color to the burlwood. So I spray painted all the trim pieces a glossy black, paying attention to the trim edges especially in the cutouts. I applied the overlay with the trim off, although I don't think it matters if the trim is now black. I thought it was helpful to get the overlay as exact in position as possible.

Results I think are as close to a true carbon trim piece as possible. The glossy back completely hides any fit imperfections and you would never notice anything. I like this a lot better than the carbon vinyl wrap since it has a true gloss appearance. Really looks...real. Obviously some won't like the fact that the overlay has some thickness to it, but I quikly got used to it, and the overall appearance completely overshadowed that 1 issue. Some of the pics make it look like the trim is raised past the plastic gray centerpanel, but it's really not.

Some pics:

 

you really did take on for the team. Congrats i do like and can't even notice any areas that are not covered.

I would jump into this if i hadent already covered my trim in suede. Changing it to orange carbon fiber soon which i believe would look better without a gloss.

Great stuff though now other users can buy safely.

 

nice!!

 

Nice job!...looks good...



Angelo

 

I should clarify that I only bought this kit for the center trim and my review is for only those 3 pieces. The other pieces do seem to be the same near perfect quality, but I would recommend painting the base trim black before applying.

Also I noticed that the long arching trim overlay will NOT fit well over the existing trim becasue the skinny chrome accent sticks up. This mihgt need some custom work to fit, or the trim needs to be removed altogether.

 

Did you remove any of the trim pieces before applying the kit?

I just spoke with Maurice at DirectCarTrim (very helpful) and he indicated that the trim does not have to be removed and that most use a colored marker to cover the exposed areas.

I would prefer to remove the trim to paint and apply the overlay unless I'm endangering the integrity of the parts and the ability to replace them.

My CLK is a Cabriolet as well but Maurice is having me send an image of the console to confirm the cutout for the switch. If the trim can be removed I could do this myself, I suppose.

I then wonder about long-term integrity; do these appliques stay in place or do they peal in hot weather?

Thanks for any help/additional thoughts, L

 

I removed the trim to spray paint glossy black. I think trying to use a colored pen or sharpie is difficlt with the trim peices on because you run the risk of getting ink on the adjacent non trim material. Taking the trim peices off is much cleaner.

 

This is what I figured and thanks for confirming; I would rather do this the right way the first time.
Best, L

 

How did you Remove your trim? I've been thinking of Painting my trim. just not sure how to remove them.

 

Lots of info if you do a search. Basically though you pull up the shifter trim, remove the shifter, remove the ash tray, and then remove the 2 torx screws beneath the radio/ climate trim piece, that piece should come out.

 

http://blog.titanmotorsports.com/?p=1306#
does it look similar to this? (check out the CF pics in the gallery)

in my humble opinion ... the BS CF is the standard

but looks awesome lowpost!

 

It's actually pretty damn close! The surface/pattern/color is similar. The BS looks cleaner but I think becasue it more recessed like an actual trim piece should do. But like I said, it looks so nice once installed you forget about that.

 

lowpost,

Do you have any pics that show your rear spoiler ? Is that one belongs to CLK BS ?

 

Yeah it's a black series spolier painted