MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: Top Cat on April 29, 2009, 07:37:59 pm

Title: Racoooooon
Post by: Top Cat on April 29, 2009, 07:37:59 pm
Spent a few hours at their Leeds franchise today, after seeing that the recaro's can be succesfully wrapped i had to go and investigate.

my thoughts on carbon on a GTI are mixed. Unless you are like Jonny C  and want carbon for the weight saving then i dont feel right about seeing it on a GTI. Saying that every time i see it i think wow that is beautiful. I think carbon has been around long enough now to have been stolen by the stylees amongst us , and it is acceptable to have it on the car because its cool and look's the shizzle  8)
So i have arrived at the decision that if the carbon vinyl wrap can  look just as beautiful  then whats the difference between having this and having a carbon replacement part. as mentioned earlier, the carbon  in our instance are not on the car for weight saving, and a lot of the carbon is a direct cover adding to the weight.  :rolleye:

Ok so i went to Racoon today to get my R 32 zorst insert wrapped in this new type they have which doesn't get marred when heated and is less brittle so reacts better to stone chips.

Well they tried really hard but the insert was not having any of it, because of the textured finish the adhesive wouldn't stick properly  :sad:
Gave up after a few attempt's but i think it would still be possible if the piece was sanded flat and some primer applied.
So we decided to do the front mask and badge to see how it looked, and so he could get a good idea on how much to charge us lot as they had not done this for any one yet. and i think it will be the most popular part to get wrapped by us lot.  :smiley:

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Ftomashandmilly%2FDetailing_pics%2FIMG_0766.jpg&hash=463b8fea1817b39a53e4edb4505cdc11d5f3ad0e)

Turned out really well so hopefully tomorrow he will have a forum discounted price for all the parts that we might want wrapping like the interior door inserts, mirror covers roof spoiler.
I think i can say without getting shot by him that the prices will be a whole lot cheaper than the darn sarf prices, especially if we take the parts off first and then just get them wrapped and re- fit ourselves. and may be even cheaper if you guy's fancy a group buy of more than ten.
Oh and i forgot to add, their is a offer of one car getting a bonnet wrapped in this material for cost price, so any one wanting this done and lives in the North then give me a PM and i can give you details should cost somewhere between 20 an d 40 squid for a whole bonnet wrap.  :wink:

Couple more photo's of the mask.

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Ftomashandmilly%2FDetailing_pics%2FIMG_0767.jpg&hash=a25bcaec019831ade3da14005cce8e772fbd879c)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Ftomashandmilly%2FDetailing_pics%2FIMG_0769.jpg&hash=443703fe4050ed849a7a5be25ff390317f0e2934)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Ftomashandmilly%2FDetailing_pics%2FIMG_0771-1.jpg&hash=146ac2c316b9570edea7623af56648174df78a33)
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: tony_danza on April 29, 2009, 07:49:00 pm
The grille looks stunning, I'd love mine done like that - did it mask the old holes well?? I presume the vinyl is pretty thick??

Hmm Bonnnet, should I, for 'Ring trip funsies to go with the side decals?? If someone wants to take the offer for a more permanent look though, I won't cry. Offer up your bids everyone!!
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: NEWEY on April 29, 2009, 07:56:21 pm
that looks brilliant
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: billyboy on April 29, 2009, 08:08:28 pm
List List List, Me me me for grill'n'badge. I'll think about plate location later.
good job TC
1. billyboy
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: vwrascal on April 29, 2009, 08:27:34 pm
Nice TC, looks like real carbon   :happy2:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: Top Cat on April 29, 2009, 08:30:59 pm
The grille looks stunning, I'd love mine done like that - did it mask the old holes well?? I presume the vinyl is pretty thick??

Hmm Bonnnet, should I, for 'Ring trip funsies to go with the side decals?? If someone wants to take the offer for a more permanent look though, I won't cry. Offer up your bids everyone!!

You can see where the holes are/where but if you run on the ring without a plate then it will be more aerodynamic  :laugh:
Lets see how much he wants to do the mask i think it will be a good price.  :wink:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: john_o on April 29, 2009, 09:22:38 pm
looks amazing TC.
reckon they can do my mirrors and my front spoiler in satin chrome ?  :happy2:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: Top Cat on April 29, 2009, 09:27:54 pm
looks amazing TC.
reckon they can do my mirrors and my front spoiler in satin chrome ?  :happy2:

which bit of your front spoiler, do you mean the splitter at the bottom.
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: winrya on April 29, 2009, 09:35:33 pm
Any idea how much it would cost to wrap my spare badge if I posted it to them. That would solve my stone chipping black badge ?
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: Top Cat on April 29, 2009, 09:40:03 pm
Any idea how much it would cost to wrap my spare badge if I posted it to them. That would solve my stone chipping black badge ?

About £ 20 but i dont know for sure yet he should give us prices tomorrow.  :smiley:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: john_o on April 29, 2009, 09:44:00 pm
I call it the Nathan area  :P , so yes the splitter
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: winrya on April 29, 2009, 09:47:56 pm
Any idea how much it would cost to wrap my spare badge if I posted it to them. That would solve my stone chipping black badge ?

About £ 20 but i dont know for sure yet he should give us prices tomorrow.  :smiley:

Cool, keep us posted, mine will be in the post if it is:) how good is finish, looks great in the pic, does it look believable in the flesh so to speak?
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: Top Cat on April 29, 2009, 09:50:18 pm
Any idea how much it would cost to wrap my spare badge if I posted it to them. That would solve my stone chipping black badge ?

About £ 20 but i dont know for sure yet he should give us prices tomorrow.  :smiley:

Cool, keep us posted, mine will be in the post if it is:) how good is finish, looks great in the pic, does it look believable in the flesh so to speak?

Its hard to say really the mask looks better than the badge  :smiley:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: Top Cat on April 29, 2009, 09:52:29 pm
I call it the Nathan area  :P , so yes the splitter

On yours if i remember its painted so it would work fine i think, and the mirrors are going to be hard he thinks, possibly in two pieces.  :happy2:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: jt1 on April 29, 2009, 09:52:56 pm
Ooh nice one TC, looks like badges n mask for me. :happy2:

Shame he could'nt do your zorst section, that would of looked the nuts.
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: MAT ED30 on April 29, 2009, 10:18:59 pm
They  are good guys at the Leeds branch and will do us all a very good job and are a great bunch of guys  :happy2:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: pazz on April 29, 2009, 10:21:44 pm
Let me know when you go see them again in Leeds TopCat. I'm after the same front mask done.

Is that matte carbon (non-shiny)? I'm hopefully after it done in the matte carbon.
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: Top Cat on April 29, 2009, 10:25:17 pm
Let me know when you go see them again in Leeds TopCat. I'm after the same front mask done.

Is that matte carbon (non-shiny)? I'm hopefully after it done in the matte carbon.

It is more matte than shine, it was hard to get a decent photo because it was matte and if you stand front on it definitely looks matte.  :happy2:
just watch this thread for up dates should have prices tomorrow.  :happy2:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: Phil Mcavity on April 29, 2009, 10:32:12 pm
Look like this stuff is going to be popular :happy2:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: wigit on April 29, 2009, 10:45:14 pm
liking that TC  :happy2:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: RedRobin on April 29, 2009, 10:50:33 pm
....

I would describe the carbon vinyl as neither being gloss nor matte. Real carbonfibre on road cars (not F1) usually has thick lacquer and that's what emphasises the visual depth. The carbon vinyl is excellent as a decorative finish and is carbonesque but no way does it look like the real thing except possibly to someone who has never seen the real thing. It has a plasticky sheen and that satin sheen is very typically vinyl.

In photographs it can look closer to real carbon due to lighting but not in real life.

So, if you are going to have carbon vinyl, don't fool yourself into thinking that others will think you've got real carbonfibre components - It's just a wonderful decorative finish.
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: pazz on April 29, 2009, 10:57:43 pm
I'm not really fussed if its real carbon, but I understand what you are saying Red Robin, vinyl can never replace the real stuff. Having said that I'm not really interested in paying that sort of money for the real stuff.

As for the matte effect - I've never been a fan of the really shiny carbon stuff as it can sometimes look a bit tacky.
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: RedRobin on April 29, 2009, 11:05:49 pm

As for the matte effect - I've never been a fan of the really shiny carbon stuff as it can sometimes look a bit tacky.


....Matte real carbon looks really dead. When the sunlight catches lacquered real carbon it can look very sparkling. But I would never describe it as tacky.
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: matsu on April 30, 2009, 08:08:52 am
so how soon do we get a price list up?#
i was looking to buy a grill mask/mirrors and even poss the rear valence done and if this is gonna be beta i,ll wait. :confused:
fanx
matsu
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: RedRobin on April 30, 2009, 08:39:19 am

I've never been a fan of the really shiny carbon stuff as it can sometimes look a bit tacky.


....It was either Mae West or Dolly Parton who said : -

"It costs a lot of money to look this cheap!"

:happy2:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: tony_danza on April 30, 2009, 08:53:19 am
Dolly.

Surprisingly at here theme park, Dolly world, there isn't a ride that simulates a go on her tits. I was most displeased...

TC - Pony up the prices already!!
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: T88OMM on April 30, 2009, 09:26:56 am
Looks great Tom! Get the roof and mirrors done now, that will really finish it off  :drool:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: joesgti on April 30, 2009, 09:51:12 am
il do the bonnet!  :jumping:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: tony_danza on April 30, 2009, 09:55:54 am
It'll look great on yours, Joe. Nice and subtle on a black car.  :happy2:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: joesgti on April 30, 2009, 10:02:16 am
thats what i was thinking, but may look odd against a real carbon fiber grill!

TC yours looks mint!!  :drool:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: RedRobin on April 30, 2009, 10:25:40 am

but may look odd against a real carbon fiber grill!


....Exactly what I think.

But it would look very good and subtle on a black car, just as real carbon does. But consider it very carefully and get a supplier to lay out a big sheet of it across your bonnet to show you first, and in outdoor light conditions.

The bonnet area, being a skyward facing large surface, will show either carbon vinyl or real carbon at its worst in some lighting conditions - Either as a material some would view as fake (vinyl carbon) or as bling and over sparkly (real CF). Also the bonnet is traditionally a real carbon component and the expectation is for it to be real.

I think that where you use the carbon vinyl on a car exterior is critical to the message it gives.

Used externally on the whole car looks far more 'honest' and cool, imo.
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: Caz on April 30, 2009, 12:09:30 pm
that looks ace!  :happy2: :happy2: :happy2: :happy2:

where are these ppl based, leeds??? oooo, a company thats only a hour away! whoo hoo! road trip!  :smiley:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: joesgti on April 30, 2009, 12:11:46 pm
so when are people going up? anybody fancy going up next saturday? small meet? il get my bonnet done for giggles!

how easily does it come off? i take it that the company that put it on can take it off weel and not leave any danage to the paint under?

 :smiley:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: MAT ED30 on April 30, 2009, 12:14:33 pm
its easy to take off just a bit of heat and u just peel it off and it leaves nothing under it  :happy2: if anything it protects the paint
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: joesgti on April 30, 2009, 12:15:22 pm
so no sticky sh!t under it?
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: Caz on April 30, 2009, 12:15:40 pm
ooo id be up for a mini meet!  :smiley:
think i can find my way there..lol

how much did it cost to get that front bit done???

might get front splitter done...
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: joesgti on April 30, 2009, 01:33:05 pm
ooo id be up for a mini meet!  :smiley:
think i can find my way there..lol

how much did it cost to get that front bit done???

might get front splitter done...

the bottom middle bit? would look good!  :happy2:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: JPC on April 30, 2009, 02:04:49 pm
im digging that TC! im booking myself in for that soon! ;)
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: Top Cat on April 30, 2009, 02:07:28 pm
He has not got back to me with prices so, i shall ring him after me cup of charlie.  :happy2:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: joesgti on April 30, 2009, 02:37:07 pm
He has not got back to me with prices so, i shall ring him after me cup of charlie.  :happy2:

cup of charlie! youl be foooked  :scared:



Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: Phil Mcavity on April 30, 2009, 03:55:01 pm
Just got Mine done with Racoon, pictures and seperate thread to follow  :happy2:.

chuffed doesnt say enough. :smiley:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: Caz on April 30, 2009, 04:00:01 pm
ooo id be up for a mini meet!  :smiley:
think i can find my way there..lol

how much did it cost to get that front bit done???

might get front splitter done...

the bottom middle bit? would look good!  :happy2:

yip!  :happy2: i want now...lol  :sad:

well, im gonna pop across next sat, so if anyone else is visiting, let me know..  :smiley:

who's charlie??  :chicken:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: gazbutS3 on April 30, 2009, 04:26:37 pm
he's my dog :laugh:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: Greeners on April 30, 2009, 04:29:49 pm
he's my dog :laugh:

Why is he in TC's cup?  :confused: :signLOL:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: RedRobin on April 30, 2009, 04:38:27 pm
he's my dog :laugh:

Why is he in TC's cup?  :confused: :signLOL:

....Cos cats don't like dogs :grin:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: tony_danza on April 30, 2009, 04:38:57 pm
He's too orangey for crows
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: RedRobin on April 30, 2009, 07:03:57 pm

my thoughts on carbon on a GTI are mixed. Unless you are like Jonny C  and want carbon for the weight saving then i dont feel right about seeing it on a GTI. Saying that every time i see it i think wow that is beautiful. I think carbon has been around long enough now to have been stolen by the stylees amongst us , and it is acceptable to have it on the car because its cool and look's the shizzle  8)
So i have arrived at the decision that if the carbon vinyl wrap can  look just as beautiful  then whats the difference between having this and having a carbon replacement part. as mentioned earlier, the carbon  in our instance are not on the car for weight saving, and a lot of the carbon is a direct cover adding to the weight.  :rolleye:


....I hear exactly what you are saying and your thoughts have caused me to rethink mine!

So does anyone want to buy some of my real carbonfibre?

Actually I'm only joking about the sale - Only my carbon nose mask is added on top, all the other parts are total replacement though not primarily for weight saving.

I guess that if this carbon vinyl had been available some time ago I might have gone the vinyl route instead.........perhaps. It would be a difficult decision, but, as you say, the use of whatever carbon finish is essentially cosmetic and decorative. However, part of me would always be a bit concerned about others thinking I was a carbon wannabe and a fake. I'm not always over concerned about what others think, but.

Very valid thoughts from you, TC :happy2: 8) :happy2:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: Hurdy on April 30, 2009, 07:20:11 pm

As for the matte effect - I've never been a fan of the really shiny carbon stuff as it can sometimes look a bit tacky.


....Matte real carbon looks really dead. When the sunlight catches lacquered real carbon it can look very sparkling. But I would never describe it as tacky.

How the tide turns!!

If you looked at posts from last year,  nearly everyone was slating carbon vinyl wrap and now it is the "REAL STUFF" that is getting hit   :confused:. I personally like both types. They suit their individual applications and are a good result for those not wanting to spunk loads on full carbon fibre. :smiley:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: RedRobin on April 30, 2009, 07:29:44 pm

a good result for those not wanting to spunk loads on full carbon fibre. :smiley:


^ I know how much you love carbonfibre, John, but that is really too much information!! I'm shocked! I need to avert my eyes and dismiss the image you have conjured up.
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: Phil Mcavity on April 30, 2009, 07:31:15 pm

a good result for those not wanting to spunk loads on full carbon fibre. :smiley:


^ I know how much you love carbonfibre, John, but that is really too much information!! I'm shocked! I need to avert my eyes and dismiss the image you have conjured up.
:signLOL: :signLOL: :signLOL:, Puts his Knife and fork down and tips dinner in the bin  :sick:.

cheers John  :sick:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: RedRobin on April 30, 2009, 07:34:20 pm

How the tide turns!!

If you looked at posts from last year,  nearly everyone was slating carbon vinyl wrap and now it is the "REAL STUFF" that is getting hit   :confused:. I personally like both types. They suit their individual applications and are a good result for those not wanting to spunk loads on full carbon fibre. :smiley:


....Yes, there's now something of a vinyl feeding frenzy going down!

Top Cat! I think you may be to blame for starting it (further abetted by my Recaro seat backs) : -



I agree - It depends on the application. :happy2:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: Hurdy on April 30, 2009, 08:01:55 pm

a good result for those not wanting to spunk loads on full carbon fibre. :smiley:


^ I know how much you love carbonfibre, John, but that is really too much information!! I'm shocked! I need to avert my eyes and dismiss the image you have conjured up.

 :ashamed: :signLOL:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: celica on April 30, 2009, 08:33:20 pm
looks class

shame it didn';t wrap on the rear valance
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: Top Cat on May 01, 2009, 12:02:27 am
Had a email late on tonight from these chaps, and prices will follow tomorrow they have been busy all day.   :drinking:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: gillm on January 29, 2010, 10:13:17 pm
anyone got contact details ?
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: Top Cat on January 29, 2010, 10:32:43 pm
anyone got contact details ?

Were are you based pal, as its a franchise.  :happy2:
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: gillm on January 30, 2010, 04:30:45 pm
im in somerset .

can you buy the stuff yourself . fancy diying it
Title: Re: Racoooooon
Post by: bowie on January 30, 2010, 06:46:31 pm
If you're from Somerset , Raccoon have fitters in Bristol.

Chris.