Is this a Dumb Idea?

So, my sub $2000 beater Jetta has little dents and ding the whole way round. My trunk looks like the worst casualty of the previous owner's neglect. My idea is to buy a used trunk lid off this kid for like $40, but heres my problem. My car is blue and the trunk lid is red. I have a quote from a body shop to paint the trunk lid for $450!! Come on!!

So my idea is to buy some of that "Carbon Fiber" wrap. Since my hood is already carbon, it wouldnt look miss matched if i wrap the trunk lid in knock-off carbon. A sheet is only $60 on ebay, and a Saturday of my labor to get it on.

Now my question is: is this a dumb idea?

kinda what the outcome will look like...

Spray it with Rhinoliner

What about basic dent repair, learn as you go, and the roller or Maaco the whole thing when you're done? I wonder about the wrap stuff trapping moisture... there's a big article in the latest Hot Rod about this very subject, I skipped it mostly, but they may have covered that issue.

kinda poserish on one hand, but aesthetically pleasing and matches the hood. Is your hood matte or glossy? might have to hit it with some rattle can clear to stay with the ricey...err...kraut-y motif

lol just kidding man, go for it, I like the carbon look better than a rolling body shop ad

Rusty_Rabbit84 wrote: my sub $2000 beater Jetta...

is it a beater or isn't it?

Only do that to the windshields

the dents are on the back side, impossibe to pop out. If the little dents were on top, it would be easy to pop out...

The latest issue of GRM includes a coupon for a HVLP paint gun for what, $9.99? Good opportunity to learn a new skill.

As for the vinyl wrap, they're pretty common these days. A friend of mine turned his grey Miata bright orange with one.

2002maniac wrote:

Rusty_Rabbit84 wrote: my sub $2000 beater Jetta...

is it a beater or isn't it?

haha, very beater... its nice to get me from A to B, not dumping tons of money into it to make it look good.

I say buy it and wrap it. CF vinyl is kinda gay, but not as gay as a bright red trunk lid on a blue car.

If youre down with it, rock it.

I would paint it flat black. But then, I paint a lot of things flat black.

A couple of options you didn't ask for:

• Go to your local paint supplier and have them match up some paint to your car and load it into an aerosol spray can for you. It will be relatively inexpensive and look relatively good when done.

• Skip the fancy pants carbon-look vinyl and go get some plaid shelf paper...or paisley...If you're going to go faux...might as well make fun of someone while you're at it.

Clem

Keep shopping for a blue trunk lid. Try the local salvage yards and be patient. Took me 3-4 months until I found a matching black replacement door for the on my old E46 BMW that had rusted out along the bottom seam. Cheaper and better looking in the long run.

Or, rattle can the red one to match the existing color, don't forget the clear. You can get rattle cans loaded with a good quality matching paint at any decent auto paint supply store for short money. Seems to work a treat on Wheeler Dealers (though I must say I think half of what Edd does is a bodge job).

Even cheaper, bondo the dents in the existing piece you have then rattle can it.

edit: beaten to the rattle can idea by 3 minutes!

I'll go ahead and vote for wrapping it. Since it's vinyl you can always take it off and have it painted if it doesn't come out the way you wanted.

ClemSparks wrote: - Skip the fancy pants carbon-look vinyl and go get some plaid shelf paper...or paisley...If you're going to go faux...might as well make fun of someone while you're at it.

I prefer the woodgrain myself.

Semi-seriously, I saw some cool brushed-metal contact paper that I'm certain could be used for some nefarious purpose. I've been trying to talk my wife into letting me wrap the dishwasher with it.

Rusty_Rabbit84 wrote: the dents are on the back side, impossibe to pop out. If the little dents were on top, it would be easy to pop out...

Not sure why those would be impossible. Do you mean the reinforcement is in the way? Cut some access holes for your hammer and dolly work.
Or, use your HF 20% off coupon and get a stud welder.

yeah... thats a good point too. Vinyl it and youre only a heat gun and a clay bar away form where you started if it doesn't turn out like you planned.

I think I'd actually take the trunk lid off the vehicle to wrap it though. not like the pics.

I say if it's a point A to point B beater and nothing but a beater, save your $40 and skip the whole project. A beat up trunk lid doesn't make the car slower and a nicer one doesn't make it run better.

Use the $40 to service the car. Or take your girlfriend out to dinner.

IMO fake carbon fiber is for posers. Actually, pretty much fake anything is for posers.

M030 wrote: IMO fake carbon fiber is for posers. Actually, pretty much fake anything is for posers.

IDK... I kinda got a soft spot in my heart for fake woodgrain. And I kinda like the idea of a fake nameplate on certain cars. Just think of a BMW M3 that says 318i!

I also love fake wood grain. I had my numbers on my car made out of it and also covered my helmet in fake wood grain.

Keith wrote: The latest issue of GRM includes a coupon for a HVLP paint gun for what, $9.99? Good opportunity to learn a new skill. As for the vinyl wrap, they're pretty common these days. A friend of mine turned his grey Miata bright orange with one.

x2. Find a vinyl about the same color as the rest of the car, and don't sweat the CF stuff marking you as a poesur..

Keith wrote: The latest issue of GRM includes a coupon for a HVLP paint gun for what, $9.99? Good opportunity to learn a new skill. As for the vinyl wrap, they're pretty common these days. A friend of mine turned his grey Miata bright orange with one.

Any idea how much the wrap cost?

I'm curious, as vinyl wrap appears to be less labor intensive and lasts longer.

sand. prep. rattle.

mtn wrote:

M030 wrote: IMO fake carbon fiber is for posers. Actually, pretty much fake anything is for posers.

IDK... I kinda got a soft spot in my heart for fake woodgrain. And I kinda like the idea of a fake nameplate on certain cars. Just think of a BMW M3 that HAS A BADGE CUT OUT OF WHIT PINE THAT says 318i!

I would honestly just go for spray painting the thing as close to the color as you can come. When some one gets up close they are going to see its not what it looks like anyways. I'd rather they see I painted the thing rather then that I tried to pass off metal as carbon fiber...