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
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\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
Archive for the ‘Site Updates’ Category
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
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Free Shipping on Carbon Fiber DI-NOC Vinyl All Month (June 2010)
Here at Carbon Fiber Film/Carbon Fiber Gear, we’re not just celebrating Father’s Day, we’re celebrating Father’s Month! In honor of our dad’s, we’re providing free shipping to any domestic orders over $50 for the entire month of June. There’s no need for a coupon code or anything, simply add vinyl to your cart, checkout, and choose the free shipping option.\r\n\r\nIf you were planning to do an install, or just want to stock up on some of 3M’s DI-NOC material, be sure to take advantage of this sale that will only last the month of June.
3M Carbon Fiber DI-NOC Now Available In 9 Different Colors/Finishes
Previously we’ve only made the black carbon fiber material from 3M’s DI-NOC series available for sale. We actually have 9 different color/finishes of carbon fiber vinyl available from 3M:\r\n
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- CA-418 – Silver
- CA-419 – White
- CA-420 – Graphite/Gunmetal
- CA-421 – Black
- CA-1170 (Aka 421GN) – Gloss Black
- CA-422 – Light pewter
- CA-423 – Dark pewter
- CA-424 – Brown
- CA-5429 – Semi-Gloss Red
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\r\nTake a look at the lineup:\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nTo get a better idea of how each colors looks, especially when reflecting light, watch the below video we made showing all of the colors (does not include CA-421GN or CA-5429):\r\n
\r\n\r\nEven though some of the colors actually cost us more money, we’re price matching all colors to our current pricing. You’ll find that no matter what color you purchase, it’s all the same price!\r\n\r\nPlease note that the CA-419, CA-419, and CA-422, CA-1170, and CA-5429 (silver/white/light pewter/gloss black/semi-gloss red) don’t have the same outdoor durability testing from 3M as the other darker colors, and don’t have the same expected outdoor durability of 4 years. With that in mind, we haven’t heard any issues from customers yet, and for applications like show cars or garaged cars where they won’t be under the sun too much we don’t expect many issues. In fact in a recent trip to London we saw this Porsche Cayenne outside of Harrod’s with white 3M carbon fiber DI-NOC…looked amazing!\r\n\r\n
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\r\nIt’s barely noticeable from further away, but up close you can see the carbon fiber pattern. I really love that subtle look.\r\n\r\nTo order any of the new colors, simply click the buy now button and you’ll be forward over to our parent site at Carbon Fiber Gear. From there, simply choose the size and color you need. We are still offering 4″x8″ samples of all colors for just $8 shipped if you want to get an idea how it looks in person.\r\n\r\nAs always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact us or reply in the comments.
Find A 3M DI-NOC Installer With Our New Installer Directory
Update 6/2/10: We’ve decided to remove the installers directory at this time.\r\n\r\nWe’ve launched a new feature on Carbon Fiber Film to continue and be the best resource anywhere for 3M’s carbon fiber DI-NOC vinyl. We now have an installer’s directory where we hope to have include a list of companies and individuals anywhere in the world that have the expertise to install 3M’s DI-NOC material. Thew new directory is for two types of people:\r\n
Consumers Looking For Installers
\r\n3M DI-NOC is very easy to install compared to other vinyls out there in the market, but let’s face, installing just isn’t for everybody. You may have found this great material, but you’d rather have a shop or an experienced individual install it for you. Our installer’s directory will hopefully become a huge organized list of installers (both companies and individuals) around the world. You can check out our installer’s directory here.\r\n\r\nThere are two types of listings, free and paid. Free listings have limited data, only the name of the installer, their city/state/zip location, reviews, and an e-mail form to contact them. Obviously anybody can add a free listing, so proceed with caution and be sure to post a review of your experience to help fellow customers out. Paid listings can be trusted more since the company/individual had to pay to have all their information listed, so you can take them more seriously. You will find full contact information, including phone #’s, addresses, integrated Google maps for easy directions, website link, and much much more. You will also see the “CFF Directory paid member” badge in the listing.\r\n
Installer’s To Add Your Listings
\r\nIf you are an experienced installer, either as an individual or a company, and would like to offer your installation services of 3M’s DI-NOC material, then consider adding yourself into our directory. Our directory harnesses the traffic and brand name behind Carbon Fiber Film and Carbon Fiber Gear to drive awareness to installers around the world. We have the largest carbon fiber site, and the largest carbon fiber DI-NOC site on the web, we will heavily promote our installer’s directory through a wide range of marketing efforts. Your addition into our directory can generate new business and bring customers right to your door.\r\n\r\nWe’re continually tweaking and improving on the directory, so we always appreciate your feedback. Currently the best way to understand the differences between a free and paid membership listing is to take a look at the comparison chart. I will breakdown some of the main features so you have a better understanding what type of membership to choose between the three available.\r\n
Free Membership
\r\nA free member will be listed in our directory for three months, and then you can choose to either renew or upgrade your listing. As a free member, your listing will display your name/shop name, your city/state/zip, and customers will have the ability to rate/review you (these are moderated by CFF staff prior to going live). Your listing will also include a note that the listing can be upgraded, and will have a “Free Member” badge. Potential customers will have the ability to e-mail you through a form. Once you are logged in, you will be able to view statistics of your listing, like how many people have looked at it and how many e-mails you have received.\r\n
Silver Membership
\r\nAs a silver member, you will be on a monthly plan that costs $9.95/month…about 33 cents a day. One installation will make your money back. As a paid member, your listing is much more complete, with the following features:\r\n
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- You may upload your company logo onto your listing
- You may include a link to your website, and your statistics will show how many clicks went to your site
- You can have a description up to 300 characters of what you do
- You can post your phone number
- You can post your full address, not just the city/state/zip
- You can have full Google Maps integration right on your listing, making it easy for potential customers to map their route to your location and get directions
- Customers will have the ability to e-mail you through your listing, your statistics will show how many e-mails you’ve received
- Customers can easily print your listing in a clean format
- Your listing will also be available for download in a PDF format for customers
- Customers can rate/review you or your shop
- You can add up to 5 images on your listings, we recommend featuring some work you’ve done
- Your listing will get a paid member badge which shows potential customers they can potentially trust you more than a free member
- You will be able to view statistics of how many people have looked at your listing in your administration
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\r\nAs you can see, there are tons of features for just a few cents per day. All of the above are things that will more likely convert potential customers to you.\r\n
Gold Membership
\r\nAs a gold member you get everything in silver, but your description size gets 500 characters, and your listing will randomly appear on our “Featured Installers” box that is located on every page of the installer directory. A gold membership is a 1 year long membership, and by pre-paying just $99.95 for the year, you save $19.45 a year over silver membership. For just $8.33/month you can become a gold member…which works out to about 28 cents a day.\r\n
Fine Print
\r\nYou cannot promote the selling of 3M DI-NOC material on your listing, only the installation service. You cannot have multiple listings for the same shop/individual. That means if you’re paying for a silver membership, you cannot add another free listing. All listings are manually moderated and approved by CFF staff.\r\n
In Conclusion…
\r\nWhile we know this directory is new, and will take some time to populate, we believe it will be a valuable resource to both installers as well as consumers looking for installers. As mentioned above, we’re always looking to improve the site and service we provide, feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions, concerns, or feedback.
Send Us Your Pictures!
Have you already installed 3M’s carbon fiber DI-NOC vinyl on something? You can now easily submit your pictures to us through this nifty form.\r\n\r\nSend your pics/videos and we may use them on our site!
New Sizes, New Pricing – A Few Updates Worth Noting
Shipping Improvements
\r\nWe’ve done a bunch of updates to the backend of our system here, all to help you guys out. For one, if you’ve shopped with us before, you’ll find that now for the majority of orders, the shipping price has been reduced. For example we used to sometimes charge up to $13.70 to ship a 4 sq/ft piece across the country. You’ll find that this same piece to the same location will now cost around $7 or less to ship.\r\n\r\nHow did we do this you ask? Before, the DI-NOC product, regardless of the size you chose, was always based on one weight. We chose 3lbs, the number right in the middle of the small and large packages so that overall shipments would even out. We’ve reconfigured our system to accurately use the weight for each specific size, so when you buy a 4 sq/ft piece for example, shipping is only calculating based on 1lb instead of 3.\r\n
New 12″x12″ (1 sq/ft) Size Added
\r\nDue to customer demand, we’ve added a new 1 sq/ft size option for purchase. This new piece is 25% of the size of our previous smallest piece, but still perfect for things like small netbooks, cell phones, light switch plates, small car interior pieces, fog light enclosures, accent pieces, etc. You’ll find this size available for purchase for just $15. This is also great if you’d like to test the material, but would like a size larger than the sample piece, and want it delivered faster (since it will ship either Priority or Express mail instead of First Class).\r\n
Sample Size Price Reduced
\r\nSince we’ve added the new 1 sq/ft size, we’ve decided to lower the sample size price by 20%. If you’re looking to simply test the material out, and want to see how amazing it is in person, you can buy a 4″x8″ sample size from us for just $8 shipped anywhere in the world. We can’t tell you how many people have gotten the material in person and call us to say how the pictures and videos we post do no justice, it’s even better when they get their hands on it.\r\n\r\nAs always, we’re continuing to improve our site and provide you with the best experience for purchasing 3M’s carbon fiber DI-NOC series film. If you have any suggestions, questions, or feedback, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
Measurement Conversion Chart For Our International Customers
We don’t all look at the same measurement formats, and we tend to get a lot of questions about what size if what in a different conversion. We went ahead and put together this measurement conversion chart which shows all of the sizes as well as what it is in sq/ft, feet, inches, yards, meters, and centimeters. We hope this helps! We’ve also added it to our FAQ where many other questions are also answered.
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2010 Pricing Updates: Carbon Fiber Look For Less
For 2010 we’ve revamped our pricing structure across the board for 3M’s carbon fiber DI-NOC material. We’re still offering the best carbon fiber alternative on the market, but this time with even better prices for you! See the below chart to see the new pricing and how it compares to last years price:\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nAs you can see, we’re offering a ton of savings across the entire line, regardless of what size you’re looking to purchase. We understand there are other places out there to purchase material, we hope that you’ll buy from us because aside from competitive pricing we also provide excellent customer service and fast shipping. You can feel confident purchasing from us. We are a US-based company, and are an authorized reseller of 3M DI-NOC material.
Carbon Fiber DI-NOC Wins SEMA 2009 Best New Exterior Accessory Product
There’s a reason why we only sell 3M DI-NOC material here, it’s the best in the industry! We were at SEMA this year, where the material was showcased on a few cars that we provided DI-NOC to. We’ll be sure to cover those soon, so be on the lookout.\r\n\r\n
