"carbon Fauber" shifter plate & gauge cluster

**rob07002** · 12-08-2005

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/icvmkg.jpg

http://tinypic.com/id4ml4.jpg

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

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**derekf** · 12-08-2005

Nice!

**Damn True** · 12-09-2005

Wow, that looks great!

What did the service cost you?

**rob07002** · 12-09-2005

Originally Posted by Damn True

Wow, that looks great!

What did the service cost you?

Thanks, both pieces cost $47 + shipping

**Rybar** · 12-09-2005

The parts and the car look great!

**Matt** · 12-09-2005

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

Looks sharp!

**rob07002** · 12-09-2005

Originally Posted by Matt

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

Good deal, Thanks for the info man.

**derekf** · 12-09-2005

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

Originally Posted by derekf

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
www.hydroillusions.com

**F70t/a** · 12-09-2005

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

**JoshStratton** · 12-09-2005

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

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

Originally Posted by Ralph LoGrasso

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

Originally Posted by Ralph LoGrasso

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

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.

**rob07002** · 12-10-2005

Originally Posted by madmax

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.

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

Originally Posted by rob07002

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

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

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

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"carbon Fauber" shifter plate & gauge cluster