If I could only tell you how many times we’ve been asked if DI-NOC is available in a glossy black! The glossy version (CA-421GN) is considered an indoor-use only material, but we wanted to see how it would handle being outside in maximum UV exposure over a long period of time before we made it available for sale to you guys. So we tested for many months in an horizontal application in Virginia. Even though the material is considered indoor-only, months later is still looked brand new. While every environment is different, it looks like it actually does have some decent outdoor lifespan, just don’t expect 3M to stand behind it. Basically, use at your own risk.\r\n\r\nAnother thing to note is that although it is considered a glossy version, it’s not going to be like a full gloss real carbon fiber piece that you may be used to seeing. Normally, something like that is either a polished epoxy or has a clear coat applied, but more importantly, it’s typically smooth. Because DI-NOC has texture to it, the look is more like the original CA-421 (the matte version) with a sheen to it. In all reality the differences between the two are pretty subtle, and hard to even show in pictures.\r\n\r\nIf you’re really having trouble deciding whether to get CA-421 or CA-421GN, we highly recommend purchasing samples from us just to be able to see it in person. We’ve snapped a few pictures below in a number of different environments to help give you an idea of how it looks.\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nIf you have an outdoor application where you really want glossy, but have concerns about lifespan, you can always consider clear coating the matte material.\r\n\r\nWe also put together a video for you to show the differences:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIkY8-LACDc
Glossy Black Carbon Fiber DI-NOC Is Finally Here!
Red Carbon Fiber 3M DI-NOC Vinyl Now Available
In addition to the 7 original colors of 3M DI-NOC carbon fiber vinyl, we’ve now brought on a semi-gloss red. Lots of you have been asking for more extreme colors such as this, so we’re testing the waters to get your thoughts. Like some of the other lighter colors, the red is considered an indoor-only vinyl, if you use it outdoors that is at your own risk.\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nYou can find all of our available colors here.
Airplane Dash Re-Finished Using 3M DI-NOC Carbon Fiber Vinyl
One of our customers has a personal airplane with an outdated instrument panel. He decided to upgrade the panel by cutting a new backing out .063 aluminum, which housed the new Synthetic Vision EFIS instruments. He then covered the panel with 3M’s carbon fiber DI-NOC vinyl from Carbon Fiber Film for a modern/carbon fiber look on the cheap. Here’s the outcome:\r\n\r\n
Making A Guitar New Again
One of our customers took his 1988 Ibanez 540R guitar which was in rough shape but still played great…and made it look new again. All it took was a little bit of DI-NOC vinyl and he was able to refinish his guitar bringing it up-to-date with a new carbon fiber look.\r\n\r\n
Ferrari F40 Blacked Out With 3M Carbon Fiber DI-NOC Vinyl
It’s not everyday you see a Ferrari F40 roaming the streets. You’ll almost definitely never see one wrapped in 3M’s carbon fiber vinyl though! One owner has done just that, love it or hate it, we think it looks pretty stealthy:\r\n\r\n
Computer Modding With 3M’s Carbon Fiber DI-NOC Vinyl
We love being shown new applications that we don’t initially think of when using 3M’s DI-NOC carbon fiber vinyl. This time around, Jeff, took his computer modding to the next level by putting together what he calls the CF800. He used a Corsair 800d case which was modified for water cooling. He did a ton of stuff, including lighting, but used DI-NOC film to just put the build over the top. Here’s how the case looked beforehand:\r\n\r\n
Romeo Ferraris Supercharged Corvette Gets Fully DI-NOC Wrapped
Italian tuning house Romeo Ferraris has completed their latest project. They took a Z06 Corvette and supercharged it, giving the bad boy 667 horsepower and 607 lb-ft of torque. Among the other modifications, they gave the car a completely carbon fiber look by wrapping it in 3M carbon fiber DI-NOC vinyl:\r\n\r\n
Catamaran Boat Gets a Carbon Fiber DI-NOC Dash
One of our customers recently sent in a few pictures of his install where he brought the dash of his 34-foot Avantage Catamaran boat back to life. Here’s what it looked like before:\r\n\r\n
- \r\n
- Always work from the center out.
- When installing on a rounded surface, heat and pull and with both hands, and down.
- Put down a guide line of masking tape to cut straight lines.
- Break off the tip of an Xacto razor blade and it will cut straight lines much better.
- I put down a thin black line of pinstripe tape to give it more of a finished edge.
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
American Racings Custom Wheels Gets DI-NOC’d For SEMA
Our good friends over at Street Concepts have just put the finishing touches for the American Racings Custom Wheels Camaro that will be in the Nitto booth at Sema 2010 in November. They used a mixture of a matte look along with the CA-420 graphite carbon fiber DI-NOC vinyl…the results are outstanding:\r\n\r\n
Video: Wrap Your Refridgerator in 3M Carbon Fiber DI-NOC Vinyl
We love to see 3M’s DI-NOC carbon fiber vinyl being used outside of just the automotive world. Things like prototyping, architectural design, technology, refinishing products, and more. The applications for the vinyl are literally unlimited. In the below video we guide you through the steps to wrap a refridgerator in the vinyl, giving it a completely different look than before. While the fridge we used already looked new, imagine taking one that is starting to look outdated, but works just fine. Using the vinyl, you can give it life once again and save money while giving it an updated look.\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nIf you have anything unique that you’ve used 3M’s DI-NOC for, let us know! We’re always looking for the latest and greatest uses.
