Well that theory lasted all of 2 months when I suddenly had a brainwave. Carbon plates (not only cool but saves a few grammes
)I did not want the cheap carbon effect tat that some places sell, it looks nothing like the real stuff and just looks poop in my opinion. So I contacted a local company who make carbon parts for all manner of cars, mainly Lotusesesesesseses (What is the plural of Lotus? Lotai?)
http://www.reverie.ltd.uk/
Reverie are also suppliers to some F1 teams and also some superbike teams, I knew my request was well within their ability
Collected the blanks last night, they were a lot more expensive than my mate got charged but his were made from offcuts and bits with slight weave defects. Mine are absolutely perfect, not a fibre out of place. Also mine have the weave orientation in the same direction, sad I know but it would annoy me otherwise.
Gave them a light polish with some meguiars #81 hand polish just to enhance the gloss, then a coat of wax to keep them looking spot on.
Look, sunshine! I love the look of carbon, just a shame that 85% is going to be covered
I will be cutting the vinyl to lay over the top as a negative, so the letters will show through as carbon. The vinyl will be reflective so there should be no issues with legality in theory.
All the bits you see in the following picture that are black will be cut from the vinyl so the carbon shows through.
The letters are 72mm high (10% reduction on the legal requirement) as this just tidies up the plate imo. Had this size on my last car for 4 years without any issues, I also do all of my mates plates with the same size characters. None have had any problems.
Hopefully they will look quite nice when done, If not I'll remove the vinyl and make some www.E30zone.net show plates
