Another custom CTS-V trim set underway…
Now that I’m an official vendor over at CadillacForums.com it’s the perfect time to do a full write up on the production of a CTS-V carbon fiber set of trim from start to finish.
This particular set is going to be pretty custom, with red carbon/kevlar hybrid fabric being used on the main trim along the doors and dash and a 5HS black fabric being used on the center console. It is a pretty daring combination, but it should look amazing once installed in the car.
This is the OEM trim in its original form. The doors and dash are a fake printed “carbon” and the center console is a gloss plastic. No idea why GM choose to cheap out on materials for such a cool car like the CTS-V, but this trim is perfect for getting wrapped.
First, the center console pieces are scuffed up so the fabric has something to grip to.
The fabric being used on these pieces is a traditional black carbon fiber that has been woven in a 5HS pattern. This fabric runs vertical in appearance.
Getting the pieces laid out on the fabric so the correct sizes can be cut.
Same treatment for the door pieces on the red carbon/kevlar.
Once the fabric has been cut, a thin coat of bonding epoxy is applied to the pieces.
Getting the center console taped up and the same bonding epoxy is applied.
Now the fun part starts.
After an hour or so of trimming a lot of excess fabric, the pieces are finally starting to come together.
These pieces look bright red now, but once they are wetted out with epoxy, they’ll turn a much darker red that shifts in color depending on how the light hits it.
Same process on the center console pieces.
That is it for now. The bonding epoxy needs a day or two to cure, but once the fabric is secure to the pieces I can start adding epoxy to them and they’ll really start to take shape.
I’ll post more updates in the blog later this week.