What I was up to this past weekend...

**Rownan** · 10-08-2012, 09:34 AM

**Rownan** · 10-08-2012, 09:39 AM

I have to redo this piece..

Being thick headed, I applied is so the weave is at a different angle than the lower piece. Looks damn good, but not quite right to me.

**androidtopp** · 10-08-2012, 09:51 AM

That's pretty sweet - how did you pull that off so cleanly, short of intense patience and a steady hand?

**Holden** · 10-08-2012, 09:57 AM

Sweet. Were those panels easy to remove? Did you have a manual or how-to, or did you just wing it?

**Chad** · 10-08-2012, 10:00 AM

I like that! Any info on where you got that material? and how you did it?

**Rownan** · 10-08-2012, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by androidtopp

That's pretty sweet - how did you pull that off so cleanly, short of intense patience and a steady hand?

I'm a pretty patient person to begin with, but I wouldn't say I have a steady hand. Just have to take it slow.

These are the finished product, on the climate control I did remove the electronics which makes it quite a bit easier. You don't have to cut any perfect lines or anything.

I used 3M DI-NOC carbon fiber wrap, the stuff is amazing. You just heat it up with a hair dryer and it turns pliable so you can mold it around edges.. When it cools down it hardens almost like real carbon fiber.

**Rownan** · 10-08-2012, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by Holden

Sweet. Were those panels easy to remove? Did you have a manual or how-to, or did you just wing it?

Some pieces took a little bit of encouragement, but overall the trim is a lot easier to remove than some other cars I've had experience with.

I glanced over a guide on focus fanatics where someone removed the trim on a 2011.. Ours is mostly identical to that. Credit to him.

How to remove radio and surrounding trim pieces - Focus Fanatics

**androidtopp** · 10-08-2012, 10:30 AM

Any pics of the parts installed? This is about the first interior mod I've ever been tempted to try...but I want to make sure it doesn't disrupt the look of the interior. And you mention redoing one piece - what's the damage done if you had to back out and leave a piece uncovered? Adhesive residue, etc? And finally, what's the finish like on that wrap - can you feel the basketweave texture, or does it have a smooth finish?

**Rownan** · 10-08-2012, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by Chad

I like that! Any info on where you got that material? and how you did it?

Here's the stuff I used.

Black 3M DI-NOC Carbon Fiber DINOC Flex Wrap CA-421 24"x12" : Amazon.com : Automotive

For the shifter portion, I unclipped the boot from the surround. Removed the Sync badge. Washed it with soap and water, wiped it down with rubbing alcohol to promote adhesion, and then with a hair dryer I worked the material around the edges. It's quite easy to shape. Leave a little bit of material around the edges to wrap around the back, this keeps it from peeling up later.

For the climate control, same prep. Unclipped electronics. That piece took quite a bit longer because of the more intricate detail.

**Rownan** · 10-08-2012, 10:55 AM

Before this, the only thing I've wrapped is the back of a smartphone lol. So I was a noob at it. But the material gives you a lot of confidence. Watch a couple youtube videos. All you have to do is heat it up and work with it, it conforms to the surface quite well. And if you mess up, just heat it up again and peel it back. As long as you don't stretch the material excessively, it can be reapplied over and over.