Hi,

I have been thinking for some time about trying out some RRS modifications using carbon fibre hydrographics dipping technology.

The plastic windscreen scuttle cover, the plastic A pillar covers and plastic D pillar covers are all suffering quite badly from bleaching due to sunlight exposure and are very expensive to replace. I have tried various products on them to get them back to black but they only last a few weeks at best. I did think about having them painted matt black but then came up with the idea of carbon fibre dipping.

Rather than start with the external trims, I decided to have the engine cover carbon dipped as an experiment. I know that this will not be to everyone's taste but I am pleased with the result. Let me know what you think, but be kind with your comments!!

I'm quite impressed to be honest,, just been having a look online and the possibilities seem to be endless,,, even possible to do wheels. Just wondering what the costs are and how hard wearing is it. 2010 RRS, TDV8
bali Blue / colour coded
side steps / flappy paddles
black perforated leather
22" overfinch
heated everything, TV,fridge ...... now with gold calipers and mud flaps !( black mud flaps that is) !!
Many years ago,,,,, 1955 series 1 landie , sometimes wish I had kept it

Hi Gogsy1956,

Following on from the carbon dipping they applied a 2K clear lacquer (not sure how many coats) which is supposed to give better scratch resistance. Regarding durability, I guess time will tell. I did wonder about the effect of heat under the bonnet but was assured that the hydrographic system will not be affected. Not sure how the A pillar trims would hold up with the same treatment to stone chips and bugs? I guess no better or worse than if you have them painted matt black?

Costs seem to vary a lot between different companies, I was quoted between £100 and £300 by 4 companies to have the engine cover done.

Not exactly cheap then,,,, hate to think what wheels would cost 2010 RRS, TDV8
bali Blue / colour coded
side steps / flappy paddles
black perforated leather
22" overfinch
heated everything, TV,fridge ...... now with gold calipers and mud flaps !( black mud flaps that is) !!
Many years ago,,,,, 1955 series 1 landie , sometimes wish I had kept it

I would definitely be worried about durability of this system on wheels and what do you do if you kerb one of them? Probably would need to have the whole wheel stripped and re-dipped at great expense.

I think that this system is best suited to small interior plastic trim parts that look a bit boring or have been scratches. The cost for smaller parts seems more reasonable, the engine cover needed several coats of primer and a lot of prep. I would expect the A and D pillar trims to be more reasonable.

I also am impressed with the finish but not the cost,
as you said internals would be a good choice, if you
take good care of the things done they should last
quite some time, another option for pillars would be
Vinyl wrapping them in either Matte or Gloss..

Yet another idea for some changes later on..  ===========================================
2012 Range Rover Sport Autobiography 3.0 SDV6 8 speed Automatic
Indus Silver with Hockenheim premium two-tone leather Ebony/Lunar,

Hi,
Looks great. What was the cost?
Thanks
Damon

If you shop around you should be able to get the engine cover done for about £125. I purchased a used engine cover to have carbon dipped so I can retain the existing engine cover. I can then swap out engine covers when the car goes in for a service to avoid any possible damage during the service.

There was a lot of prep work to the engine cover but other plastic trim parts should be a lot cheaper.

Oh I really like it

Could I ask what prep work is involved ?

I am no expert on the prep work but here is what the paint shop told me:

1. Remove the rubber locating tabs, oil filler tube rubber and sound proofing.
2. Degrease plastic.
3. Rub down plastic to provide a key for the primer.
4. Primer 1st coat.
5. Rub down primer.
6. Primer 2nd coat.
7. Rub down primer.
8. Float carbon fibre film on water tank.
9. Spray activating agent on carbon fibre film.
10. Dip cover in water tank with carbon fibre film floating on it
11. Leave to dry
12. Spray cover with 2K clear lacquer.
13. Bake cover in spray booth to harden lacquer.
14. Polish final finish.
15. Refit rubber fixings and sound proofing

And that is all there is to it!

Hi,
another for the look
but
for the cost.

then again we did wrap all our kitchen cupboards for about £25  Porsche Cayenne 2022
gone Porsche Cayenne 2020
gone Corris Grey HSE Dynamic 2016
gone Ipanema HSE lux 2010
gone Rimini HSE 2005
!!

[quote="Evo5man"]I am no expert on the prep work but here is what the paint shop told me:

Thanks for your reply
Will be looking into this