Carbon Fibre It

[SilvrT]

Here's an inexpensive "Carbon Fibre" treatment I used to dress up my electrics side covers.

 

Total cost about $35 and 1 hr of time.

 

Purchase roll of TrimBrite "Carbon Fibre" film and a roll of 1/8 inch "Custom Chrome" accent striping. I got mine at Canadian Tire.

 

You'll need a small spray can of some color...I chose silver (because the bike is black) ... the Carbon Fibre film shows the underlying color and with black, nobody would see it.

 

Mask off the area you want for the Carbon Fibre. Scuff it up a bit with a scuff pad and clean it good with some paint thinner (or other de-waxer, de-greaser)

 

Apply the under color....let it dry good...remove the masking tape.

 

Take a strip of the Carbon Fibre and remove the backing paper.

 

Lay it down slowly and evenly... make sure you don't get any bubbles. If you do, just poke them with a razor knife and work the air out.

 

Trim off the excess with the razor knife.

 

Apply the chrome trim to the edges.

[friesman]

That looks great Rick. i like the look of that.

 

Brian

[skydoc_17]

Hey Rick,

WOW! I really like the way you customized your side covers. I would venture to say that NOBODY has a set of side covers like yours. Excellent use of materials and the old knoggen! Any one can go out and buy a piece of chrome:mo money: but to put some effort into a mod like this really impresses me!

Earl

[whanna]

That IS purty! Good eye, nicely executed. I really like that.

[kenw]

Looks great!

[slick97spirit]

:big-grin-emoticon:wow, that looks hot against the black. way cool

[SteveW]

Real nice job it looks great with the Black on the Bike.

[SilvrT]

I would venture to say that NOBODY has a set of side covers like yours.

 

Heh .... I would "venture" to say .... I won't be the only one for long! ... considering the comments. That's good ... sharing ideas is what it's all about.

 

Now that the side covers are done, I'm working on something for the air filter covers and who knows what next after that LOL.

[SaltyDawg]

Real nice. Looks pretty good.

[skydoc_17]

Hey Rick,

Wasn't sure if you would pick up on that, what am I saying, you thought up those "spiffy" side covers, I should have known!

Great Job,

Earl

[SilvrT]

It just "hit" me .... haven't had her out on the road yet.... kinda now wondering what effect the engine heat will have.... I guess only time will tell. I'll add a post if it scews it up or not.

[RossKean]

Heh .... I would "venture" to say .... I won't be the only one for long! ... considering the comments. That's good ... sharing ideas is what it's all about.

 

Now that the side covers are done, I'm working on something for the air filter covers and who knows what next after that LOL.

 

I would LOVE to see something like that for the air filter covers. Cool alternative to the VERY expensive Yamaha chrome covers.

 

Keep us posted!

 

Ross

[Redneck]

That silver paint looks just like gold.

Great idea and good job it looks great.

[Bubber]

Here's an inexpensive "Carbon Fibre" treatment I used to dress up my electrics side covers.

 

Total cost about $35 and 1 hr of time.

 

Purchase roll of TrimBrite "Carbon Fibre" film and a roll of 1/8 inch "Custom Chrome" accent striping. I got mine at Canadian Tire.

 

You'll need a small spray can of some color...I chose silver (because the bike is black) ... the Carbon Fibre film shows the underlying color and with black, nobody would see it.

 

Mask off the area you want for the Carbon Fibre. Scuff it up a bit with a scuff pad and clean it good with some paint thinner (or other de-waxer, de-greaser)

 

Apply the under color....let it dry good...remove the masking tape.

 

Take a strip of the Carbon Fibre and remove the backing paper.

 

Lay it down slowly and evenly... make sure you don't get any bubbles. If you do, just poke them with a razor knife and work the air out.

 

Trim off the excess with the razor knife.

 

Apply the chrome trim to the edges.

 

 

Just to add to your knowledge of adding the carbon fiber. When I was in the body shop business and we were putting the wood grain decal on the station wagons, we used soapy water (dish washing soap is fine) and laid the decal down and used a rubber squeegee to remove the water from under the decal. It eliminates the bubbles and then if there still are some, prick them with a sharp needle to remove the air and squeegee over them again. Try to move in one direction because at least with the decal they tend to stretch a little. I hope this helps on the next piece you do.

 

BTW Great job on the side cover it looks pretty cool!!!!

I wonder what different base colors would do. (gold, red, black, copper)

 

Steve

aka Bubber

[SilvrT]

Just to add to your knowledge of adding the carbon fiber. When I was in the body shop business and we were putting the wood grain decal on the station wagons, we used soapy water (dish washing soap is fine) and laid the decal down and used a rubber squeegee to remove the water from under the decal. It eliminates the bubbles and then if there still are some, prick them with a sharp needle to remove the air and squeegee over them again. Try to move in one direction because at least with the decal they tend to stretch a little. I hope this helps on the next piece you do.

 

BTW Great job on the side cover it looks pretty cool!!!!

I wonder what different base colors would do. (gold, red, black, copper)

 

Steve

aka Bubber

 

Thanks for the tip re: the soapy water... I thought about doing it that way because I've done a lot of that with larger decals in the past but it was such a small piece, I didn't bother. Also, since it's mostly flat, taking a bit of time and smoothing the film down as I go ... I think I had one or two very small bubbles. I've also done quite a bit of window tinting with the "film" ... using soapy water, squeegie, etc.

 

Glad you posted this tho... good info for others not so much "in the know".