I've been looking at those carbon fiber dash kits that sell for about $175 that convert the whole console and other interior areas to carbon fiber.

Anybody have one of these? How easy was it to apply? Does it last? How does it look in real life? In the ad pictures it looks great of course.

Here's an example

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NISSA...item20b7f10530

 

bump

 

 

Old thread on it:

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....light=Dash+kit

FYI this particular kit that you're looking at is a vinyl overlay and it is not worth $175.

If you really want a CF dash search for Evo-R or Tonester for a full waterfall replacement

 

hit up tonester aka custom cf creations or something like that....ive seen his work and its top notch....and evo-r is a scumbag

 

Looks so ugly....

 

I've done my entire interior in carbon fiber(CF).
Here's your choices:
(1) Real carbon fiber/molded pieces are expensive.They replace the actual pieces in your car...like the shift console area.
(2) Real carbon fiber veneer covered with a poly/urethane covering.Has a 3m adhesive
backing
(3) vinyl look-a-like covering...resembles CF because its a "photo" of the actual material

The product you mentioned on E-bay,the price looks a bit low.
Would make me wonder...Also,I've had alot of experience with CF stuff.When they say
"thin" because it molds/conforms to shapes etc.,usually means cheap.
I'm very pleased with the kit I installed in my 03 Z.I purchased through CARID...
This company does not actually produce the kits.They are done here (NY/NJ)made to order.Basically,its a CAD system...cuts out the templates of the interior pieces on sheets
of the selected material.
The "dash kit" I have is rather complete.It included pieces to cover the entire console,
covers for the doors behind the seats,speaker trim...overhead storage compartment.
If you decide to go the CF route,your interior really will not look complete unless you do it all...steering wheel inserts,cover for gauge cluster etc.
An item of note:the center storage door.The pisture in the ad shows a smooth.
That is only possible with a thin vinyl cover or,a molded piece.The door has a curve(3
dimensional)There must be a seam and a "Z" inset to compensate for this.One photo shows the Z in a contrasting color.I did mine to match the CF MATERIAL.It gives an embossed look.It all depends what you want.
It will take about 3 weeks to order and get.
The fit and quality from CARID was perfect.Easy to install...

Let me know if you need any other info.
Be glad to E-MAIL some pics of my interior.
PM me.

 

Sticky back rice, cool.

 

I have the #2 option.If you go with a FULL kit in real carbon fiber RCF,
INCLUDE THE Z insert,shipping...be about $350.
By the time you add dash pod covers,steering wheel,gauge trim,speedo/tach
cluster cover,your well over $550-$600 to do the whole interior right.
A CF cover for rear strut bar is also a great addition to put it all together.
Another $125 for that.

 

So no one has tried one of the eBay kits?

I just bought my Z yesterday and have a few blemishes distributed on different interior pieces, i thought about replacing all the pieces but it might come up to be an expensive restore. Silver kits looks nice, more accents for the black interior

 

I appreciate the input. this is going to be way more expensive than first thought. I want good quality, option #2 would do the trick for me. I'll check out CARID.

 

Just checked out the CARID site - looks like a good quality product, they even have a video on how to install and a good selection of colored CF if I want to go that route

 

I love how they emphasize prepping the surface areas

Note* any project by an enthusiast should always prep projects, whether its having all the right tools, all the right parts, instructions, cleaning/prepping surface areas... probably save a bunch of "this product sucks" reviews. People that dont take the time to do things correct

 

With any product backed with 3m tape,it important to clean the surface
WELL.Especially interior,where you may have used stuff like Armorall...
Also,the CARID kits include a adhesive promoter for parts near say,a/c
vents.You apply this stuff on the surface,then apply the covering.
Another point on the price of the E-BAY deal,you will note when selecting the MATERIAL,there will be an upcharge(30%?)for REAL carbon fiber.In case you may not be aware,there are different patterns of CF.Terms like 1x,2x,3x,4x are used.The 3x is the most common.It has a diagonal "twill" pattern.The lower the number,the smaller the pattern.Real CF 2X is used for bike frames etc.Some 3m backed pieces done for outside pillar use 2x.NISMO CF pieces
use 2x..they are wellmade and expensive.
FYI--Interesting..most of these "kits" come out of the same factory in NJ.
All the guys there are Russian!
Have no idea why?
They do quality work.

 

Carbon Fober (fake carbon fiber) is ugly, and well just ugly. It's squishy, and people will notice that it's not real. Also don't you think the car has enough stuff on it that says it's a 'Z' already?

Get it wrapped if you want the carbon fiber look....so much nicer.

 

granted theres a slioght difference in the weave, its under my arm and you truly dont notice at ALL in the car.. i had REAL cf overlaminated in the good ol stick on kit previous to my career as a full 350z addict.
Just make sure if you buy the ebay kits that you spring for the real carbon at least or it will look like a VW from some tuner magazine in 1992.



I retained some accent pieces but it was fine for what it was.. its 175 bucks man, adds alot of zing for little cash.. id assume youre new.. go ahead and get it.. youl like it.. for a bit.. then youre screwed and youll start redoing everything like we all did.

 

I was hoping someone could help me I have a few scratches on the dash around the ***** of the temperature controls, radio and the gear. How can I correct this without purchasing a new dash kit?