Were you aware that the CF fabric used to wrap trim is VINYL

DrGP · 02-01-2010, 11:21 AM

Or is it called leatherette? (don't get me started on that issue). But matt@oCarbon who actually makes real CF trim pointed out to me that the stuff that some members are using to wrap their trim is not actually CF. Not that it make a huge difference because I still like the look. However, I think that those who are doing the wrapping or selling the material should not be representing it as Carbon Fiber. Carbon Fiber LOOK or Carbon Fiber LIKE would be a more accurate description. I wonder if the CF trim on the M3 is actually CF.

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 02-01-2010, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrGP

Or is it called leatherette? (don't get me started on that issue). But matt@oCarbon who actually makes real CF trim pointed out to me that the stuff that some members are using to wrap their trim is not actually CF. Not that it make a huge difference because I still like the look. However, I think that those who are doing the wrapping or selling the material should not be representing it as Carbon Fiber. Carbon Fiber LOOK or Carbon Fiber LIKE would be a more accurate description. I wonder if the CF trim on the M3 is actually CF.

I'd hope and suspect that a performance oriented production car such as the M3 would use real carbon fiber. Curious to know the real answer too.

montreal red · 02-01-2010, 11:25 AM

CF trim on m3 is not actually cf either... its CF leather... most other wraps are indeed vinyl but i think most people who actually did the wrap themselves already know this because its quite obvious that its not real cf.

i believe only the performance trim is real cf.

JFU · 02-01-2010, 11:25 AM

The CF trim on M3s are not real carbon fiber I don't think.
I think it's leather if I'm not mistaken.

PINeely · 02-01-2010, 11:33 AM

M3 trim is carbon leather. Wrapping trim in real carbon fiber would be too difficult; it really needs to be wet layed for trim pieces and such.

Whether or not someone specifies that it's vinyl or not is purely semantics to me; "carbon wrap" is what most people say (and lots of them specify in the body of the thread that it is vinyl) but since it's such a common thing to wrap your trim on this website I doubt that there will be too much confusion.

MassBimmer · 02-01-2010, 11:39 AM

I would hope most people know it's vinyl...that's why CF wrap sells for $50 and CF trim sells for $700+

Hedges · 02-01-2010, 11:42 AM

Can you show us what the differences betweeen each and how to spot the differences?

200Duece · 02-01-2010, 11:43 AM

the earth is round too, not flat

PINeely · 02-01-2010, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hedges

Can you show us what the differences betweeen each and how to spot the differences?

Hard to do with only pictures but there are a few ways.

1. Real CF trim is highly smooth and glossy (clearcoated) whereas the carbon leather or carbon vinyl wrap is semiglossy bare fabric.

2. Real CF trim pieces are usually made completely of CF save for the fittings and attaching points. Wrapped trim or CL trim is just regular trim with fabric around it. You can see where the fabric is glued down on the back of the trim piece.

3. Real CF trim is much more expensive than wrapped trim. A wrapped trim set normally goes for $400 or so while the real trim set goes for much more.

Hope this helps.

DrGP · 02-01-2010, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hedges

Can you show us what the differences between each and how to spot the differences?

First pix is real CF fabric. Notice how loose the weave is because you need to have the fibers impregnated with resin to hold them together. Second Pix is the product sold as CF by NeffyWrap. You can see that the Neffy wrap product is a much tighter weave and is less likely to fall apart when applied to trim with adhesive. Both look like CF. Only one really is. According to Matt@oCarbon, the Neffy Wrap type is actually just plastic

SV Concepts III · 02-01-2010, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PINeely

Hard to do with only pictures but there are a few ways.

1. Real CF trim is highly smooth and glossy (clearcoated) whereas the carbon leather or carbon vinyl wrap is semiglossy bare fabric.

2. Real CF trim pieces are usually made completely of CF save for the fittings and attaching points. Wrapped trim or CL trim is just regular trim with fabric around it. You can see where the fabric is glued down on the back of the trim piece.

3. Real CF trim is much more expensive than wrapped trim. A wrapped trim set normally goes for $400 or so while the real trim set goes for much more.

Hope this helps.

Good info but remember that real CF is not always glossy. Gloss comes from the resin and clearcoat but you can easily put a matte clearcoat on it to make it flat.

Verbiage · 02-01-2010, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 200Duece

the earth is round too, not flat

Quote:

Originally Posted by montreal red

CF trim on m3 is not actually cf either... its CF leather... most other wraps are indeed vinyl but i think most people who actually did the wrap themselves already know this because its quite obvious that its not real cf.

i believe only the performance trim is real cf.

Real carbon fiber trim is not hard to distinguish, the one in the current M3 even FEELS like leather. No gloss whatsoever, although the gloss is only a part of the resin finish.

Kiemyster · 02-01-2010, 03:54 PM

they just assume you know better. safe assumption though.

VTECaddict · 02-01-2010, 04:08 PM

I never thought it was real CF.

JayKay335i · 02-01-2010, 04:26 PM

I never assumed it to be real since real CF isn't meant to be used as a fabric. Its meant to be impregnated with resin. Plus, it would be an absolute waste of money to get real CF fabric and just start wrapping stuff with it.

cotmfk · 02-02-2010, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 200Duece

the earth is round too, not flat

Wait, what? How do you know such things?

02-01-2010, 11:21 AM	#1
DrGP Lieutenant Colonel 137 Rep 1,914 Posts Drives: Sapphire 335i coupe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: SE, PA iTrader: (0)	Were you aware that the CF fabric used to wrap trim is VINYL Or is it called leatherette? (don't get me started on that issue). But matt@oCarbon who actually makes real CF trim pointed out to me that the stuff that some members are using to wrap their trim is not actually CF. Not that it make a huge difference because I still like the look. However, I think that those who are doing the wrapping or selling the material should not be representing it as Carbon Fiber. Carbon Fiber LOOK or Carbon Fiber LIKE would be a more accurate description. I wonder if the CF trim on the M3 is actually CF.
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02-01-2010, 11:25 AM	#3
montreal red chris 278 Rep 12,144 Posts Drives: White Boat Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (31)	CF trim on m3 is not actually cf either... its CF leather... most other wraps are indeed vinyl but i think most people who actually did the wrap themselves already know this because its quite obvious that its not real cf. i believe only the performance trim is real cf. __________________ Current: 2013 F10 M5 & 2016 Mini JCW 2013 GLK350 (gone), 997.1 GT3RS (gone), 2009 WRX STI (gone), e92 M3 (gone)
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02-01-2010, 11:25 AM	#4
JFU Lieutenant 134 Rep 475 Posts Drives: X7 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (3)	The CF trim on M3s are not real carbon fiber I don't think. I think it's leather if I'm not mistaken. Last edited by JFU; 02-01-2010 at 11:26 AM.. Reason: lol you beat me to it montreal
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02-01-2010, 11:33 AM	#5
PINeely Lieutenant Colonel 1086 Rep 1,912 Posts Drives: 2013 535i, 2015 Tundra 1794 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Jackson, MS iTrader: (2)	M3 trim is carbon leather. Wrapping trim in real carbon fiber would be too difficult; it really needs to be wet layed for trim pieces and such. Whether or not someone specifies that it's vinyl or not is purely semantics to me; "carbon wrap" is what most people say (and lots of them specify in the body of the thread that it is vinyl) but since it's such a common thing to wrap your trim on this website I doubt that there will be too much confusion.
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02-01-2010, 11:39 AM	#6
MassBimmer Major General 306 Rep 7,433 Posts Drives: 2023 i4 M50 Join Date: May 2009 Location: MA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2009 BMW [9.24]	I would hope most people know it's vinyl...that's why CF wrap sells for $50 and CF trim sells for $700+
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02-01-2010, 11:42 AM	#7
Hedges Major General 116 Rep 5,178 Posts Drives: 12 C63 AMG Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (8)	Can you show us what the differences betweeen each and how to spot the differences?
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02-01-2010, 11:43 AM	#8
200Duece Colonel 45 Rep 2,575 Posts Drives: '73 2002,'18 X5 35d,'17 328d T Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: A Whale's Vagina, Ca iTrader: (5)	the earth is round too, not flat __________________ 1988 E28 535is Euro Conversion --- sold 2009 E90 335 6MT --- sold 2003 E39 540iT Msport --- sold
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02-01-2010, 03:54 PM	#13
Kiemyster Bimmerpost Resident Marijuana Consultant 455 Rep 3,197 Posts Drives: 320i, 325xi, 335Xi, 335i, M3 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Queens/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2010 BMW 335i [0.00] 2011 BMW X335i [0.00] 2006 BMW E90 325xi [0.00] 2011 BMW E90 335xi [4.00] 2011 BMW M3 E90 [7.00] 2006 E90 320i [0.00]	they just assume you know better. safe assumption though. __________________ "AMG What! S-Line Who? If you ain't got that M I got no respect for you!" '06 Alpine Weiss E90 320i \| '06 The Green Machine E90 325xi \| '11 Alpine Weiss E90 M3 ZCP \| '10 Silverstone X5M \| '11 Alpine Weiss E90 335xi
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02-01-2010, 04:08 PM	#14
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 481 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	I never thought it was real CF. __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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02-01-2010, 04:26 PM	#15
JayKay335i Banned 189 Rep 5,046 Posts Drives: ///M323 DCT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North Dakota; its best DUHHHHHH iTrader: (1)	I never assumed it to be real since real CF isn't meant to be used as a fabric. Its meant to be impregnated with resin. Plus, it would be an absolute waste of money to get real CF fabric and just start wrapping stuff with it.
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