Carbon Fiber Wrap Opinion

[qasamm]

In a few weeks I will begin my Carbon Fiber wrap project on my 09 Phantom Spyder. I decided to wrap the parts myself instead of using pre-cut sheets; this way I get full wrap around corners. I've been practicing my wrap technique on things around the house and figured its time to get working on the Spyder before I wrap my dogs!

Looking for opinions on what to wrap and what not to wrap for the best look.

Some options I have come up with-
- Wrap it all!
- Wrap the flat black Phantom panels only
- Wrap the gloss black panels only

Any suggestions, opinions?

I have BRP saddlebags and both a Corbin topbox and Corbin windshield fairing in gloss black that will be wrapped 1st (see my avatar). Saddlebags will only get the inserts wrapped in CF.

[dave01]

Just my opinion, but WRAP IT ALL.

The look of an all carbon vehicle is awesome. I did my Busa in full carbon bodywork and it still gets looks years later. Wish they had wrap when I had the body made. It would have been cheaper..LOL

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v235/gsxr1255/P1010093.jpg

[reggystan]

The carbon wrap is very nice, just a tip if you do decide to do it. 3M makes a carbon wrap that has air rib channels on the adhesive side. This allows you to squeeze out any air bubbles trapped, applies to surfaces dry with no solution, can be wrapped into difficult contours with a bit of heat (hair dryer or heat gun)and it can conform really nice. I saw a car being wrapped at SEMA last year and it looks sharp. In my opinion the phantom looks cool and stealthy with its flat black body panels, I would wrap just the glossy part of your panels to make it completely flat black look. I've actually seen this on another bike and it looks real nice. I did my rear fender support in this wrap and it looks real good. Good luck and post some pics when your done.


In a few weeks I will begin my Carbon Fiber wrap project on my 09 Phantom Spyder. I decided to wrap the parts myself instead of using pre-cut sheets; this way I get full wrap around corners. I've been practicing my wrap technique on things around the house and figured its time to get working on the Spyder before I wrap my dogs!

Looking for opinions on what to wrap and what not to wrap for the best look.

Some options I have come up with-
- Wrap it all!
- Wrap the flat black Phantom panels only
- Wrap the gloss black panels only

Any suggestions, opinions?

I have BRP saddlebags and both a Corbin topbox and Corbin windshield fairing in gloss black that will be wrapped 1st (see my avatar). Saddlebags will only get the inserts wrapped in CF.

[qasamm]

Thanks Reggy. I have the latest CF material from 3M that has all of those features and is appropriate for curves, corners and bends. The older stuff was not so good with some of the tricky parts- I've been able to get the new stuff around some real odd shapes with practice and patience (heat gun and swearing also helpful).

I do think I'll start with the glossy bits first and see how that looks before I tackle the flat black areas.

[Firefly]

Personally I wouldn't wrap a Phantom because they look so cool already but beleive me I understand to make your :spyder2: YOURs. Since you ask here is what I would do and I know this might put the dogs at risk. :roflblack: I'd check EBay for some used body panels and wrap those. This way you still have the Phantom bodywork for easier switch back should you decide to do so. Also if your are going to wrap, wrap it all. My Tuono Racing had all CF panels except for the tank and I loved the look. Anyway thats my $.02. :D

http://gargoyle.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Aprilia/DSCF2373/1003672536_Av6sp-M.jpg


I have extra panels -- looking to sell one set of them.....

[NancysToy]

Will the wraps even adhere to flat or matte panels? I would think you would never be able to get the air out or get the material to conform to the "rough" matte surface.

[qasamm]

Will the wraps even adhere to flat or matte panels? I would think you would never be able to get the air out or get the material to conform to the "rough" matte surface.

Yep, I did some surface test on different materials and the adhesive is fine on all but porous surfaces- the flat black is a bit rougher but still a good contact surface.

The wrap material I have is textured and not a smooth print carbon fiber so it is forgiving of surface texture- I've wrapped my desktop computer case, keyboard, mouse and monitor frame with a near identical finish as the Phantom. Very good adhesion even on the fine edges with no signs of pull off.

[NancysToy]

Yep, I did some surface test on different materials and the adhesive is fine on all but porous surfaces- the flat black is a bit rougher but still a good contact surface.

The wrap material I have is textured and not a smooth print carbon fiber so it is forgiving of surface texture- I've wrapped my desktop computer case, keyboard, mouse and monitor frame with a near identical finish as the Phantom. Very good adhesion even on the fine edges with no signs of pull off.
Thanks, I had no idea.

[orangespy]

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m598/greeneyesbrandon1/th_spyder006.jpg (http://s1133.photobucket.com/albums/m598/greeneyesbrandon1/?action=view&current=spyder006.jpg) My Carbon Fiber
http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m598/greeneyesbrandon1/th_spyder008.jpg (http://s1133.photobucket.com/albums/m598/greeneyesbrandon1/?action=view&current=spyder008.jpg)

[qasamm]

Orange- thanks for the pics! I'm leaning towards doing the same parts in my CF + the Corbin stuff. It's good to see something similar in pics.

[SpyderWolf]

I would also wrap the glossy parts and leave the flat black ones alone if it were my Spyder. I think that combination would look really good. :thumbup:

[altonk]

I used the real thing wherever possible
http://www.bestemusa.com/index.php?cPath=220_221&osCsid=egkktse54qvla9ej273a2mg8u0
http://184.72.239.143/mu/4ac45455-8dd9-51a1.jpg

[qasamm]

I used the real thing wherever possible
http://www.bestemusa.com/index.php?cPath=220_221&osCsid=egkktse54qvla9ej273a2mg8u0
http://184.72.239.143/mu/4ac45455-8dd9-51a1.jpg

I considered this but the price is too high for something I have not seen direct- concerned about the fit, look and durability- real CF can be quite variable in all of these areas.

[Eraser]

http://flinkcarbon.en.made-in-china.com/product/KbzQWmOraIcn/China-Carbon-Fiber-Body-Side-Fairing-for-Can-Am-Spyder-RS-Trike.html

I stumbled on this site awhile ago,Just throwing it in the ring.(personally- NO I would not touch this stuff.) I'm on a buy it here thing right now more than ever.(Can./U.S.)

[altonk]

The fit and finish are really good

[KipDM]

http://flinkcarbon.en.made-in-china.com/product/KbzQWmOraIcn/China-Carbon-Fiber-Body-Side-Fairing-for-Can-Am-Spyder-RS-Trike.html

I stumbled on this site awhile ago,Just throwing it in the ring.(personally- NO I would not touch this stuff.) I'm on a buy it here thing right now more than ever.(Can./U.S.)

is funny, since i suck at all things electrical, i just got my dealer to open business accounts with one or two of this sites sponsors so i can get my dealer to order form them and install.....
sadly that way our sponsors may make less on my individual purchase but if my dealer gets a little more known for doing mods then everyone's sales go up. at least, that is my dream....