D Car — July 2004

Cut the sheet to the size you need!

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A squeegee is invaluable for removing air and folding the sheet

Use a squeegee and hair dryer to remove air along the pillar surface. Work the folded section with the squeegee as you go to create a clean, sharp corner.

PROFESSIONAL

RACING TEAM

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Stick the cut template to the carbon sheet and cut out only the amount you need. Keeping the piece as small as possible makes the job easier.

Flip the template to finish the passenger side, too

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Flip over the sheet cut to the template shape to make the template for the other side. Mark the cut line with a marker, then cut it out with a utility knife to finish.

Spray a stronger detergent solution on areas with lots of small details

Use trimming to create a clean line! Once the carbon sheet is stuck down, cut away the excess. Use the pillar’s corner as a guide, like a ruler, to make a neat line.

Fix any lifted areas

Mium

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For areas that involve a lot of applying, folding, and trimming, spray plenty of a stronger detergent solution as you work. Since this area is visible, a clean finish…

Even after applying and trimming the sheet, the job is not finished. Inspect it and make final adjustments with a hair dryer.

…is also important.

Apply it firmly and fold it over. Since soapy water is used while applying the cut sheet, small adjustments are easy. Once it is positioned, push out the water to make it adhere closely.

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The trim line looks clean, doesn’t it? The folded section is perfect, and the line is neat. One tip: use a fresh, sharp utility-knife blade when trimming the sheet.

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Looks great, doesn’t it? Even a complete amateur like me got a sheet this neat by working carefully and patiently. Because it is genuine carbon, it really draws attention!

The key to success is to patiently remove the air, then warm and shape the sheet!

Before

After

TEAM

SIONAL

The distinctive texture that only carbon can provide!

Easy to do!?

Fuel-door section

The fuel door is held on by bolts. If you have a 10 mm socket, it comes off easily. But never work while smoking!

Watch for dirt on the part

Fold it back…

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Allow for the wraparound and cut the sheet oversize. Use the removed fuel door as a template and cut the sheet about two sizes larger. Then apply it with soapy water.

It is mostly flat, so removing air is easy. Although the surface is large, it is nearly flat—very easy. Even if there is a pressed line, you can stretch the sheet with a hair dryer to make it work.

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Stretch and shape it with a hair dryer

It is easy to remove and has gentle curves, so it is a comfortable project. However, the back is often dirty, so degrease and clean it thoroughly or the sheet may peel. If the wraparound edge is too tight, trimming at the edge is another option.

For the final finish, trim with scissors. Once the wraparound is complete, cut away the excess with a utility knife or scissors. Since the edge will be hidden, it does not have to be perfectly precise.

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Finished!!

The fuel door, previously the same color as the body, gets an easy image change. The job takes about 30 minutes—a simple dress-up project!

Wiper section

This is easy! Wrap it and trim

It is a small part, but you can simply wrap the sheet around and trim it since the underside is not normally seen. Few people cover the wiper arm in carbon, so it stands out more than you might expect!

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Complete

First, remove the wiper

…is important.

Degrease

Trim to size

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Cut the carbon sheet to fit the wiper. Apply it while stretching it with a hair dryer, then trim it to the right size.

Finish with a utility-knife cut!

Use the edge of the wiper as a guide to trim the excess sheet. Extend and flex the utility-knife blade as you cut—that is the trick.

…easy

This is…

-car.cm

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