Bought that for my old Maxima, in December 2010, from ZeeToyz:

[url=http://www.zeetoyz.com/round-dip-stick.htm[/url]

Just ask him to not etch Z into the side.

 

Had an idea a long while ago, and was re-inspired by that car where I spotted these aluminum hose clamps. He wrapped the curvy piece of plastic on both sides of the back engine bay, by the battery and brakes.

So today I was experimenting with a sheet of CF wrap, from 3M. I found it way too thick to be pliable, and the adhesive barely worked at all... so that was frustrating. Since I couldn't wrap the wrap (LOL) around the edges, I had to use the razor blade. This isn't really a bad photo, but the job isn't perfect, so I'm calling this proof-of-concept, and will have to start over. Probably later this Spring, because it's 20*F today.

I did this indoors, after taking the piece completely apart, degreased, cleaned, dried. And yet the wrap wouldn't stick well. I wonder if I should have roughed up the surface with high-grit?



What do you think? Good, bad, tacky, meh, awesome sauce?

 

I like it.

I may have to use my leftover vinyl from my interior and try it out myself.

 

I like it. Last time I wrapped non smooth plastic like that, I had the same issue. Its not that the adhesive is bad, it's the porous nature of the plastic that makes it a pita. Adhesion promoter solved the problem. Try giving that a shot?

 

3m has a primer that really helps w/ tough contact areas, I had to use it around my little stereo buttons w/ my interior wrap.
For smaller applications like yours 2 or 3 of these little primer sticks should suffice
Sailrite - Fabric, Canvas, and Sewing Machines Since 1969

FWIW I like the look there, nice way to draw just the right amount of attention to that area without being too much.

 

I just now got home after running (driving, LOL) down to PepBoys. Dupli-Color Adhesion Promoter is $14 at Amazon, but under $7 at PepBoys. So I'm going to continue working on this project over the weekend.

Thank you, Brad. That was exactly my intent... enhance and compliment, without becomming a gold tooth. I like how the pattern is in the same theme as the honeycombed center section of the engine cover.

 

Great advice, hexotic!

I took a second pass at this project, this time roughing up the panel with fine-grit, and spraying a few coats of Adhesion Promoter. The vinyl stuck just fine. Then I went over it with the hair dryer and rubbed into it as best as I could. The result is totally acceptable. Better than acceptable, I'm pretty stoked about how it turned out. And this time I went at it expecting to shave with the razor blade. In general, there was just a better comfort zone of improvement over the first attempt.

I've done both panels, cleaned and conditioned the surrounding plastics. Think I'm done with this little project.



And here's a close-up:



Time to order the other hose clamps and play around with that.

 

Nice work there John, glad to hear that extra prep paid off, do you have any other little parts you might try that CF on? I know you're not one to go overboard so I doubt you do, just curious

 

Nope. Not a single thing comes to mind.

I'm pretty much anti-CF... real, vinyl or otherwise. Whatever the appeal is, I just don't get it, and for the most part I find the CF look is pretty tacky. When I started pursuing this idea, I was well-prepared to chuck it.

I think the way people like CF, I have a similar reaction to titanium. But that's about as close as I can get to understanding it.

 

turned out fantastic

 

I like it john.

 

Look what you made me do...

 

They do look amazing! I may have to go this route as well!

 

Dam nice mang.

 

Just to see, I thought I'd try out the P2M clamps at the filters, inside the heat shield. I thought it might look good in red...

...but I was wrong. Sending them back, and getting black.

As my Dad used to say, swing and a miss.