"carbon Fauber" shifter plate & gauge cluster [Archive]

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rob07002

12-08-2005, 07:45 PM

Just got my console shift plate and Autometer guage cluster back from a hydroillusion place. I love it, and think it came out pretty good. Of course I would have loved to do them in real carbon fiber but I think this is the next best thing. Place called VC Finishes did them, very professional and courtious, and good prices, with fast turnaround, I highly recommend them.

Here are a few pics:

http://tinypic.com/icvltz.jpg (http://tinypic.com/icvltz.jpg)

http://tinypic.com/icvmkg.jpg (http://tinypic.com/icvmkg.jpg)

http://tinypic.com/id4ml4.jpg (http://tinypic.com/id4ml4.jpg)

And here's a pic of the car
http://tinypic.com/id4q37.jpg (http://tinypic.com/id4q37.jpg)

derekf

12-08-2005, 07:47 PM

Nice!

Damn True

12-09-2005, 10:00 AM

Wow, that looks great!

What did the service cost you?

rob07002

12-09-2005, 10:31 AM

Wow, that looks great!

What did the service cost you?

Thanks, both pieces cost $47 + shipping

Rybar

12-09-2005, 10:34 AM

The parts and the car look great!

Matt

12-09-2005, 10:53 AM

So you got a plasic piece then they did that treatment to it?

Looks sharp!

rob07002

12-09-2005, 11:33 AM

So you got a plasic piece then they did that treatment to it?

Looks sharp!
Yup, I bought the pieces new and sent them to the company, you fill out this short form telling them what design you want, what type of finish, gloss, flat, etc, and a brief desc. of what you want covered. They will call after they get the part and verify the price and to get your green light...

Matt

12-09-2005, 11:36 AM

Good deal, Thanks for the info man.

derekf

12-09-2005, 11:45 AM

Given that it's not really CF, what sort of actual material is the finish? Just a mylar overlay with a CF print or some sort of paint, or what?

rob07002

12-09-2005, 12:19 PM

Given that it's not really CF, what sort of actual material is the finish? Just a mylar overlay with a CF print or some sort of paint, or what?
I'm not an expert on this but from what I understand its actually a very thin film that desolves in a water+chemical solution. The film floats on top of the solution completely intact the part is then "dipped" and the flim immediatly adheres to the part. They then clear coat and polish if necessary. So I suppose you could say its some sort of mylar overlay.

The website might help explain things abit.

www.vcfinishes.com (http://www.vcfinishes.com/)
www.hydroillusions.com (http://www.hydroillusions.com)

F70t/a

12-09-2005, 12:43 PM

That looks so much better then the crap u can buy at stores. Nice man :firefire:

JoshStratton

12-09-2005, 01:30 PM

Thats crazy insane! I love it. Thanks for the info. I was afraid I was gonna have to go with a bunch of expensive CF pieces.

Ralph LoGrasso

12-09-2005, 01:36 PM

Looks great, Rob!! Can they do other parts besides plastic? 1/4" wood for instance? Or even fiberglass covered wood, to smooth it?

Little Bob

12-09-2005, 03:43 PM

Looks great, Rob!! Can they do other parts besides plastic? 1/4" wood for instance? Or even fiberglass covered wood, to smooth it?

It's called graining, Julianos in Vernon CT has the machine that does that. They are using it to woodgrain steering wheels and other custom parts. I know for a fact they are looking to increase options for this machine. If you would me to, I can give my friend a call that works there. Just let me know how many people would be interested in this service.

rob07002

12-10-2005, 07:30 AM

Looks great, Rob!! Can they do other parts besides plastic? 1/4" wood for instance? Or even fiberglass covered wood, to smooth it?
They claim to be able to cover any part that can be painted, fiberglass, plastic, wood, you name it....If you have something that your not sure of, call and ask, they are very nice and most helpful.... I don't think you'll have a problem with what you described....

Kuhlryde: its definatly a cheaper/easier alternative to real CF, but it doesn't have that 3D look that the real stuff has. IMO its great for a driver, but if your doing a show piece or want to go after the"Riddler" award then real CF is the only way to go...

madmax

12-10-2005, 10:29 AM

rob07002

12-10-2005, 12:57 PM

I have no idea what real CF goes for, but I'm sure the multiplier used comparing this film to real CF is higher than the film itself LOL!

(Okay, I read that and I can't figure out how to make it make sense without an example... lol. So what I was saying if that film cost $47, then it would be 100x more for real CF, hense the multiplier is larger than the PRICE of the film)

Whew.
:idea:

Well put it this way you can get a pre glossed sheet of CF say 12x36 for about $80 but is flat and can't really be formed into tight curves. Real CF fabric is i think about a third that price, then you have to build a mold, or place over an existing part , add resin, vacuum bag, clear coat.... The materials are about the same for maiking a fiberglass part, but its the mold making process and time spent is where the $$$ starts flying.... I've done a far share or research on this since I was thinking of doing it myself in real CF, but after I saw haow difficult it really is to make especially tough curves.... I've yet to see complex curved pieces made from the stuff, I thought no way and found out about the hydroillusion process... I think people who work with CF are artists... I stll would like to try it some day just not now....would be a great side biz though..

Ralph LoGrasso

12-10-2005, 04:26 PM

They claim to be able to cover any part that can be painted, fiberglass, plastic, wood, you name it....If you have something that your not sure of, call and ask, they are very nice and most helpful.... I don't think you'll have a problem with what you described....

Kuhlryde: its definatly a cheaper/easier alternative to real CF, but it doesn't have that 3D look that the real stuff has. IMO its great for a driver, but if your doing a show piece or want to go after the"Riddler" award then real CF is the only way to go...

Thanks for the info, sounds great. I'm not ready to have anything covered yet, but when the time comes, I'll definitely check this place out.

Little Bob: I'm just in the planning stages for my parts, and I may not even go with the CF finish on them, so I really couldn't commit to anything.

rob07002

12-12-2005, 01:37 PM

I just want to set the record straight, the price was $76.83 for everything shipping and both pieces... My mistake I thought the $47 was for both when it was for one piece... Just checked my statement and there it was...Sorry for any confusion or any misleading statements.... Still very good price IMO

bnickel

12-26-2005, 10:28 PM

i think that blue carbon fiber piece they have on the site looks pretty damn cool. i may reconsider using actual walnut veneer on my car and go with the blue CF instead...Hmmmm

datsbad

12-28-2005, 05:14 PM

And here's a pic of the car
http://tinypic.com/id4q37.jpg (http://tinypic.com/id4q37.jpg)[/QUOTE]

For the record I like your car !!!

Wanna sell it ? LOL

rob07002

12-29-2005, 07:21 AM

And here's a pic of the car
http://tinypic.com/id4q37.jpg (http://tinypic.com/id4q37.jpg)

For the record I like your car !!!

Wanna sell it ? LOL[/QUOTE]
Funny thing is I was really thinking about selling it or do a partial trade for your Camaro when you had it up for sale.... I've also thought about selling it and doing a rough vert from scratch, but even vert basket cases are going for $8000.... I always wanted a 69 vert, and always will so if I EVER decided to sell I would regret it the rest of my life or till I found another... Don't you have one already?

Oh, and thank you for you nice comment...

datsbad

12-29-2005, 07:45 AM

yeah i have the convert on my site , and i just bought a 67 vert , but i really like the color of your car and the black hockey stripe.

Honestly if you said yes i probably could not afford it . I have to many things going on now . I really just wanted to say "nice car "

rob07002

12-29-2005, 10:40 AM

datsbad

12-29-2005, 10:25 PM

Thanks Jason.... You must really have a thing for LeMans blue...
PS I just checked out the vert on your site... Very nice work so far. The frame is a work of art! Couple questions, what size wheels, are you going with a rack, any guldstrand mod and did you make any extra braces because its a vert and you minitubbed it?

No gulstrand mod, this is a showy driver for me . the wheels are 19" front and 20" rear . I am a poser i guess, LOL !!!
no extra bracing . I personally dont see why its needed? the DSE crossmember made it braced better than factory .

rob07002

12-30-2005, 07:32 AM

You definatly nailed the stance! love it Even though its a show/driver I would look into extra bracing, or do you plan to put a rollbar in it... I'm no expert but all I can say is they way my car sits right now w/o the sub connectors in yet It should be called a "flexible flyer" I mean holy ***** going down a bumpy road you can see the door to quarter seem shake and bake.... Do you plan to hit the power tour at all, It would be nice to see another pt vert there, well yous is more pt then mine right now, but my car will be going through a transfomation over the winter....

Boyd

01-01-2006, 01:39 PM

Rob,
Can they do larger pieces? Like a hood?

rob07002

01-03-2006, 08:04 AM

Rob,
Can they do larger pieces? Like a hood?

I don't see why not, but you should call and talk to them direct...

Steve1968LS2

01-03-2006, 08:15 AM

I used that stuff on a lot of my engine bay pieces on my 2000 SS.. you would surprised how many people thought it was the real deal..

Has a very nice look to it..

Oh, your parts look great!