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Carbon Fiber applique

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Old Jan 22, 2016 | 07:18 PM
  #1  
Bookman257's Avatar
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From: San Antonio, TX
Carbon Fiber applique

My wife thinks the interior of our HHR is dull, so I went looking for a way to upgrade inexpensively. I found 3M Di-Noc to be the solution as the custom fit appliques were expensive and the reviews were not all that great. I wrapped the Waterfall, and both front door handle/ bezels plus the darker "stripe" in the door panel that was really scratched up. Total cost: about $60 including replacing the window switch bezels because I thought black ones would look better than the gray in the car.
To do this, watch as many videos on YouTube as you can stand (search for Di-Noc and you'll find plenty. You can get the vinyl and the primer from Amazon. All of the other tools are described in the videos. I also built a "holder" for the door bezels (just a board that you can fasten the bezels to using screws in the mounting holes in the bottom of the cup)
Carbon Fiber applique-20160122_125813.jpg
The Waterfall will require another person the help you hold the part while you stretch the vinyl over it.

Passenger Door
Carbon Fiber applique-20160122_151143.jpg
Driver's Door
Carbon Fiber applique-20160122_174038.jpg
Waterfall
Carbon Fiber applique-20160122_151251.jpg


Tips: Use the hair dryer/ heat gun liberally and often.
Make sure switches fit in their holes and operate before re-assembly ( a real problem with the hazard warning switch.
This is not that hard to do but take your time. If you mess up, you've only trashed a small piece of vinyl, the part should be undamaged, try again.

I found this better than spending $250 on the pre cut parts, especially since I wouldnt use all of the parts anyway.
Attached Thumbnails Carbon Fiber applique-20160122_125803.jpg  

Last edited by Bookman257; Jan 22, 2016 at 07:19 PM. Reason: add info
Old Jan 22, 2016 | 07:22 PM
  #2  
Oldblue's Avatar
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From: Welland,Ont Canada
Nice work , very cool!
Old Jan 22, 2016 | 08:19 PM
  #3  
RJ_RS_SS_350's Avatar
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Wow! That looks fantastic, great job!
Old Jan 22, 2016 | 10:19 PM
  #4  
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From: Chicagoland
I am really liking what you did!

Nice work!
Old Jan 22, 2016 | 10:20 PM
  #5  
09BLACKHHR's Avatar
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From: Detroit,MI
Looks great
Old Jan 23, 2016 | 01:35 AM
  #6  
geg's Avatar
geg
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I liked it, too.
modestly and with dignity
Old Jan 23, 2016 | 09:07 AM
  #7  
Dbeluscak's Avatar
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From: Cleveland, OH
Very nice work. I'm not really a fan of carbon fiber, but I'd be happy showing that off! Takes a lot of time to do it right.

-hats off to you sir
Old Jan 23, 2016 | 09:53 AM
  #8  
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From: Mebane, NC
Really Nice work
Old Jan 25, 2016 | 01:18 PM
  #9  
Putter's Avatar
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From: Puckett, Mississippi
I've done my waterfall...but now you have me thinking about those other parts!

Old Feb 1, 2016 | 10:16 AM
  #10  
Bookman257's Avatar
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From: San Antonio, TX
Originally Posted by Putter
I've done my waterfall...but now you have me thinking about those other parts!

The door bezels are a bit more difficult, but with practice (and a failure or two) it worked out. I ordered new ebony bezels (my interior is gray) for the front, but just did the standard rear ones. Still can't figure out why the gray drivers door bezel was $40 and the black one $14. Same part, different color. I also did the horizontal strips on the door since the get scratched up. Figured that if scratches happen to the CF vinyl, I;ll just replace it when it gets bad. That part is really simple.



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