Having put carbon fiber wrap on my nose cone, much satisfied with the results, and not willing to pay $4-5,000 for real carbon fiber parts that are likely to chip and be otherwise damaged from road debris, today I had the front air dam, side rocker panels, and rear valence wrapped with 3M carbon fiber vinyl. I'm very pleased with the results. The work was done by D&L Tinting in Parkville, MD, the same folks who tinted my windows and wrapped my nosecone. The job took about 3 hours and cost about $950. Here are a few photos. It was a lousy overcast, rainy day so the photos aren't great but they do capture the general appearance. When we next get some sun I'll take and post some better photos. The wrap creates a very subtle but cool effect. I had had the chrome piece on the rear valance wrapped --never liked that -- but left the chrome accent under the doors untouched. I like that accent. D&L used some special 3M adhesive on all the corners where the wrap is likely to come loose. If anything comes loose or otherwise fails to adhere they'll fix it at no cost. Can't beat that. I can't recommend these guys more highly.
Great job! I had the same idea for my rear valance and front air dam. Now that I see how nicely it can turn out I'm sold! Looks as good as real CB and costs probably 1 / 10 of the price. Plus we keep original Tesla pieces on the car instead of 3rd party. Thanks for posting this. View attachment 32947 View attachment 32949 View attachment 32956 View attachment 32957 View attachment 32958 [/QUOTE]
The two near the headlamps are the Blinder laser jammer sensors. The single bump near the bottom center of the nose cone is a front view camera. I have a new wrapped nose cone with the new Tesla lighted T, soon to be completed. That nosecone will replace this one as soon as I finish the install of the Tesla touchscreen operated front camera. The Tesla camera will be mounted under the nose cone, not on it, so that bump, which I'm not happy with, will be gone. Haven't quite figured out where the laser sensors will be on that nosecone but I'm working on it. Stealth installs totally defeat the function of the laser sensors -- they have to have a totally clear view down the road. I'm probably going to locate the sensors on the bottom lip of the nosecone. Not an ideal location but a decent compromise.
I think D&L knows the two of us well...I was just back there to have Crystalline reapplied to the windscreen. I may have to follow your lead on this one - love it!!!
It's great work with D&L. They love the Model S. Today they peppered me with questions about the car before they started work and they're meticulous.
Rick, I love the cf wrap on the front/rear valance. I'm heading down to D&L before long for tinting and now may have to add the wrap. Damn, will you stop costing me so much money! I'm still saving up for the Reuss audio upgrade also.
Very nice! After seeing this I'm going to get my rocker panels done along with that chrome strip on the bottom of the doors.
Let me know when you go to D&L. I may meet you there -- have to bring them the old nose cone to have it re-wrapped.
I wanted the front and back valances wrapped as well as the side rockers ( I think that's what they are called) white to match my car. I thought it would make the car look lower and sleeker. The place I took it to said the wrap would not stick to the molding. I then asked the local Tesla authorized repair shop what it would cost to paint......$4000. Said no thanks and thought the gray under panels would just have to stay gray. So if anyone knows a wrapper who can make it stick to the plastic in So. Cal. Let me know. Thanks.
I don't think you'll have a problem getting it to stick, if it will stick to 100mph + race boats, it should stick to cars. http://www.kineticanimation.com/offshoreracing.html
I agree, but for the money and protection it's a great compromise. Like you said, to each her/his own. :smile: