Carbon Trim

[Mark 1M]

Part 1 how to laminate real carbon onto a part.

With having the M3 CSL i like the look of carbon trims.
So i have decided to make a few for my 1M fist thing i did was source the parts from bmw so i can keep the original trims for the car.

Easy you may think Gave bmw the chassi no and the parts were ordered (nextday) wrong parts gave him the part no of the part fitted to the car (nextday) wrong part. after some digging he sorced the correct parts i needed to do the aircon surround and the radio

First you need to cut the carbon cloth a little larger than the part
then sand the part so the resin can get a good grip




Then you mix the 2 pack resin and let it sit for 5min so any air bubbles and escape.
The brush the parts with the resin and sit to one side for 4 hours till tacky but dry too the touch.


Lay the carbon over the part pressing gently then into relise film
and pop it into the vacumme bag for another 4hours.
This makes the carbon a good tight fit to the parts.



When the parts are dry remove from the bag and the film now you can
put on the 2 coat of resin.( it takes time )



Then its another 12hours drying time then remove the excess carbon cloth i use a sharp knife and 80grit and paper to remove this and sand the edges clean.
Then sand the part lightly to smoth the ridges down not too much or you
will rub through the resin into the carbon.



Then another coat of resin and wait another 12hours till its dry.

This will be shown in part 2 tomorrow.

Thanks for looking

[Vrumpkin]

This is very cool I love the process pics!

[Tinsta]

Nice one Mark, do you have a link to the carbon kit you used? that will look really good once finished.

[Mark 1M]

Originally Posted by Vrumpkin

This is very cool I love the process pics!

Glad you like it there will be more to come

[Mark 1M]

Originally Posted by Tinsta

Nice one Mark, do you have a link to the carbon kit you used? that will look really good once finished.

I buy it in from here http://www.easycomposites.co.uk/

buy the parts as the kits are too small amounts

just remember its messy and takes time also for the best finish
i spray them with 2k lacquer
you also need lots of grades of wet and dry sandpaper

the vacumme pump is the most expensive thing to buy but worth it

Hope this helps

This is the V8 M3 Pollen covers i did for a lad


Mirror covers i made

[ThereCanBeOnly1]

From here it looks great!

[Mark 1M]

Part 2

The parts are now dry and they get sanded with 800grit wet and dry
till smooth.



When the parts are dry they get a wipe with panel wipe
then when dry they get 3 coats for 2K clear out the spray Gun.
This is the First light coat then wait till tacky around 15min.



This is 3 coats of 2k



Once the 2k clear is dry they will get sanded with 1500grit and then 2000grit and pollished then fitted to the car.
I will post pictures of them fitted when done

[chris82]

Originally Posted by Mark 1M

Once the 2k clear is dry they will get sanded with 1500grit and then 2000grit and pollished then fitted to the car.
I will post pictures of them fitted when done

That looks amazing!!!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Looks really good, did the same with my car

[RS375]

Good work Mark and I'm looking forward to seeing them fitted.

Out of interest, do you think the CF would work on that standard tail pipe trims?

[Mark 1M]

Originally Posted by RS375

Good work Mark and I'm looking forward to seeing them fitted.

Out of interest, do you think the CF would work on that standard tail pipe trims?

The carbon for the tail pipes is prepreg carbon and its only bolted to the metal part or the resin would melt.

[RS375]

Originally Posted by Mark 1M

The carbon for the tail pipes is prepreg carbon and its only bolted to the metal part or the resin would melt.

I guess the hunt continues then - thanks for the reply.

[Yeineken]

So where do I put my order in would love Carbon Fiber cowl covers.

[Mark 1M]

Originally Posted by Yeineken

So where do I put my order in would love Carbon Fiber cowl covers.

What are cowl covers ??

[Mark 1M]

Here are the parts fitted in the car.

[Mark 1M]

I will be doing the ashtray and the gear surround along with the cic control trim next they look better in the flesh than the pictures.

[Yeineken]

Originally Posted by Mark 1M

What are cowl covers ??

Top of the engine bay.

[Mark 1M]

Yes these could be done
I did the pollen cover on my M3 CSL and the same on the e90 M3 V8
They looked great i was thinking the air intake feed would look cool in carbon

[Yeineken]

Originally Posted by Mark 1M

Yes these could be done
I did the pollen cover on my M3 CSL and the same on the e90 M3 V8
They looked great i was thinking the air intake feed would look cool in carbon

Good idea! Where did you buy all the products necessary to do this?

[Mark 1M]

I buy my cloth and resin from here
http://www.easycomposites.co.uk/

For the best results get a vacuum pump it makes a better job
and the parts dont delaminate also spray the parts with 2K it stops the sun from affecting the carbon

[Mark 1M]

CSL air intake i did

[Mark 1M]

Fitted my mirrors today will take better pictures tomorrow