February 6th, 2012
Original carbon fiber is an expensive material which, although ideal look wise, can be unaffordable for most people. This is why the advent of carbon fiber vinyl has really helped the situation and more and more people can now get the same carbon fiber look with less cost. Many different types of carbon fiber vinyl would be ideal for a variety of purposes. If you are thinking about buying 3M DI NOC carbon fiber vinyl there are some things you might want to learn about before making your investment.
All About 3M DI NOC Carbon Fiber Vinyl
If you want the sleek look of carbon fiber than this type of carbon fiber vinyl is ideal. These are normally imported from other countries and give the effect of real carbon fiber finish and texture. And its not some cheap item that has a pattern that looks like carbon fiber either: you get actual light reflecting weave and the dry carbon fiber texture that gives it that extremely authentic look.
Make sure that the 3M DI NOC carbon fiber vinyl that you buy also comes with good adhesive; generally the 3M Comply Adhesive is a good option. It can be installed like other vinyl products for home furnishings as well as automotive needs and much more. The self adhesive carbon fiber vinyl is heat stretchable. As far as durability goes, this vinyl will last for twelve years if its used indoors but if used outdoors, the life span reduces to four years.
The 3M DI NOC carbon fiber vinyl is also resistant to water and doesn’t get damaged by sun’s rays easy. Maintenance is incredibly easy with soap and water so there is nothing to worry about. 3M vinyl is a high end vinyl product that can be applied on surfaces with all kinds of curvature. An unlimited amount of applications are possible because of this fact.
Usually a variety of different colors are also available and dry carbon finishes are also an option. The three dimensional texture makes it incredibly realistic and the availability of colors like black, dark gray, silver, grey and pewter make it versatile. To make things easy you should take the help of blow dryer or a heat gun for application and installation. This will ensure proper installation of adhesive.
Even if the vinyl sheet is completely wrinkled, a little bit of heat can change it into a smooth looking texture and it will become normal again. Just make sure that when buying this material, you are careful about who you are buying it from. You can prevent yourself from scams by opting for reliable sellers.
January 19th, 2012

3M Carbon Fiber Vinyl Rolls
Working with carbon fiber sticker and wraps can be exciting for vehicle enthusiasts. These things are generally easy to apply and they can last for a very long time without getting damaged. Here are some essential tips for working with this material to achieve the best results.
Carbon Fiber Tips
Here are some tips for any carbon fiber product that you are using. Even for carbon fiber sticker and wrap.
- Safety. Safety is your primary concern regardless of what kind of job you are doing. This is why you need a dust mask when working with carbon fiber, especially during cutting and sanding procedures. Even though the dust of carbon fiber isn’t exactly toxic, it can cause irritation. Like fiberglass, it can irritate lungs and eyes. Also wear appropriate gloves to ensure that the sharp edges don’t inflict any damage.
- Carbon Fiber Laminate. Standard tools will work perfectly for carbon fiber sheets but if you have more sheets of carbon fiber veneer use abrasive cutters and carbide tools. For a smoother edge you can edge sand panels.
- Machining. Holding the carbon fiber sheets in CNC machines can be difficult. This is why for cutting carbon fiber panels, Die-cutting is a better alternative. Only give the work to a proper professional whenever you decide to get this done. For intricate shapes water jet machines can be used. If one uses a high performance 3M adhesive water will not harm this substance so adhesive can be applied before the water jet procedure.
- Carbon Fiber Molding. When a carbon fiber sheet is finished, it can be curved by heat. The laminates will not be stretching either just like plastic does. Trying to get some curvature permanently with heat isn’t recommended and should not be attempted. When you bring heat into the mixture the risk is entirely yours and no manufacturer or retailer is going to reimburse you for such problems.
- Adhesive. Reading the proper requirements for adhesive is important for when you are using carbon fiber sticker, wrap or sheet. Applying 3M adhesive isn’t too difficult but still you need to get some basic know-how from reliable sources. Never use a low quality adhesive because quality is of the utmost importance in all this.
Once you have all these things in mind, you should go through the instructions that have come with your carbon fiber sticker, decal or component a make sure you heed all the safety instructions too.
January 13th, 2012
Whether you are looking for hoods or any other car adornment, car parts made with carbon fiber vinyl can be perfect for all kinds of driving purposes. This material is considered to be the top choice among car enthusiasts and among those who enjoy racing.
Buffing Carbon Fiber Vinyl Hoods
When you are driving with a carbon fiber hood, of course there are going to be times when you need some buffing. If you have never worked with carbon fiber before you might be wondering how to get that buffing process done without any damage. Knowing the dynamics of carbon fiber vinyl hoods can be a major help.
In such a scenario the first thing you might want to do is consider the type of carbon fiber vinyl that you are dealing with. Good quality fiber will have some kind of UV protection and they will not be prone to discoloration. Another thing you need to know is that like fiber glass, carbon fiber hoods are generally gel coated which means there may be some oxidization.
To buff the surface, you should begin using a light polish and see how it goes. Some polishes can easily be used on the hoods as well as on the rest of the car. A clear sealant can also be of help. Carbon fibers are either going to be clear coated or gel coated. Gel or epoxy coating can be harder but you can polish it as usual.
Clear coated on the other hand is great if you don’t want discoloration and this should be polished in the same way paints should be polished. You can use the same procedure as you would polish car paint but you just have to ensure that the temperature isn’t high. This can induce stress cranking and the epoxy will not remain intact.
Generally carbon fiber components come in straight resin or clear coat paint over the resin. Straight resin includes epoxy resin, polyurethane and polyester which have a tendency to oxidize. Clear coated resin on the other hand there is no oxidization. Always use non abrasive products and the less aggressive the product, the better in this case.
Straight resin also tends to make the parts cheaper but maintaining them is very important if you don’t want the parts to last. Don’t let the surface get severely oxidized in any condition. Proper and consistent cleaning and polishing of the carbon fiber vinyl component and using a proper sealant are necessary.
December 23rd, 2011

It’s often that people will come into our shop knowing they want the carbon fiber look, but not sure which product to get. You really can’t go wrong with the glossy carbon fiber wrap. It’s got a nice sheen to it and the 3D texture makes it look very realistic.
If you’re wrapping the rest of your car in matte black, for example, consider wrapping the hood in black glossy carbon fiber vinyl. Two-toning your car using carbon fiber is a great option. Add the material to the roof, hood, and trunk.
Our glossy carbon fiber wrap has “air release technology” so that the air bubbles can easily escape during installation. Use heat to help stretch the material over those challenging curves and contours.
Carbon fiber vinyl is available in more colors beyond black like orange, red, and white. Check out all of the carbon fiber sticker options.
January 18th, 2012
If you are using 3M carbon fiber wrap or any other form of 3M carbon fiber component for your vehicle, there are a lot of things you need to remember to improve the quality of the component and to make the carbon fiber last longer.
High end 3M vinyl is a great alternative for real carbon fiber because not only does it look similar but it also gives the same texture and it is incredibly durable. This carbon fiber isn’t just some fake material that comes with a pattern: it is a quality vinyl that has an actual three dimensional, light reflecting texture that gives it the unique look. This material can be beneficial to your vehicle in many ways.
Buying 3M Carbon Fiber
When it comes to buying 3M carbon fiber wrap or sheets, it is important to buy according to measurements. No matter what you are wrapping, make sure you buy enough to cover the whole space. A measuring tape and a string will do the trick. As a precaution though, do get a few inches more just in case. For covering an entire car roof you will need approximately sixty inches length by forty eight inches width fiber wrap while for covering a laptop you will need something around twenty four inches length and forty eight inches width.
3M Carbon Fiber Wrap Installation
For proper installation of 3M wrap it is better to head to a professional shop but if you think you can handle it on your own you can also do the installation yourself. All you need is a few simple tools like heat gun/blow dryer, razor blade, squeegee and primer 94. The heat gun or blow dryer will help conform it to the contours of the surface properly and help stretch the vinyl a bit. You can then cut off excess pieces with razor blade and the vinyl can be adjusted to fit around different areas. A squeegee will help keep the vinyl application smooth and it will also remove air bubbles. You can also use a towel for that because it is softer and will not cause any damage. Primer 94 is the ideal edge sealer and liquid adhesive promoter which can be applied to complex curves as well as any edges that are exposed. This primer will be used to make the3M carbon fiber wrap installation permanent as it is a bonding agent.