Need some ideas

[BRM]

This is the air box on the Mercedes CLK-GTR and it's hella tough to CF due to all the compound curves. I already spent 4 hours or more on it and it looked like crap so I scraped it off. Any hints on a good way to decal this part?

[willimo]

Are you cutting the decal into seperate bits, first? With one to go into the back and the wedge shaped indentions ont the side, another to cover the bulk of the sides and the front, and another to settle down over the top? Unless you are amazingly careful and rediculously lucky, you won't get all the CF to line up at the edges, but it should give it a close enough appearance to convince everyone. If that's what you've been doing, then add me to the stumped pile.

[BRM]

Originally Posted by willimo

Are you cutting the decal into seperate bits, first? With one to go into the back and the wedge shaped indentions ont the side, another to cover the bulk of the sides and the front, and another to settle down over the top? Unless you are amazingly careful and rediculously lucky, you won't get all the CF to line up at the edges, but it should give it a close enough appearance to convince everyone. If that's what you've been doing, then add me to the stumped pile.

Thats what I was trying to do. The lines in the CF didn't line up at all at the back where that piece met the side pieces. The top and sides were done in 2 pieces per and worked out well enough. But it is really the back (towards the suspension) that is causing me grieve. I need to buy more solvent then I'll try again. I used close to half sheet of CF just @$%* with his one part.
Anyone else CF this part?

[RallyRaider]

Yeah, sections is definitely the way to go. Real CF is made form many sheets laid down so the look is not completely uniform. Also are you making templates? For something complex like that first use masking tape, lay it down and mark where you need to cut it to follow the curves. Then remove it and transfer the shape to the CF decals. Will take a few tries to get the hang of it but will make thing much easier with practice.

[675datsun]

As an alternative to applying CF decals to this part, have you considered using a "mesh" technique to spray on a CF look? I think it would look just as impressive as a decal, if not better!
I think I recall kunta doing this to the back of a recaro seat(nasty curves everywhere).
Go to middle page:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...3&page=5&pp=15

I'd like to know what you do b/c I ended up just spraying "Graphite" paint on my airbox, before I knew CF decals/this forum existed

[BRM]

Did the template thing but I think I need to be more accurate than a tape template may allow. Thought about spraying it, but I would like to try and get it right with the decals...I'll learn alot from this one piece.

[mikemechanic]

I would make a tape template and lay it out then cut it into maybe 3 sections and apply those. This is a very visible piece so.....everyone will see it. I also like the look of paint sprayed through the mesh, a little more realistic yet subtle touch. Just my .02 cents.