Did you dip yourself or have it doen professionally?

If so, where?

 

Nice work! Can this be done to exterior parts like splitters, spoilers, diffusers, mirrors and vents? Maybe even applying a few coats of clear after for protection.

 

FYI:

The quote to have the Jaguar XKR engine cover done via hydrographics in a carbon fiber pattern is $324.00 from H20Printers.

I requested a quote to compare a carbon fiber engine cover vs. the hydrographics.

Seems reasonable ($324.00), or you can DIY via a kit for $100.00

 

looks great

 

The hood vents as well as the lower panels for the air dam are Hydro graphics with a clear cover over. The clear coat is the key.

 

Was this hydrographics work DIY? ...or by a hydrographics shop?

 

I had to try out hydrographics. Just got my VW engine cover back from a company in Georgia today. The emblem is new. Carbon Fiber pattern. Very impressed with the quality & smooth finish of the clear coat. Hope it holds up to the heat of the engine compartment. Really amazing. $175 including shipping. Most of the websites have a link to send a photo & get a quote. Shop around. Cool Coatz in Georgia.

 

Can you provide the Carbon Fiber pattern number that was used on your VW engine cover.

Thanks..

Richard Dziak

 

Item #LCF021A.

 

Hey, Lets help him out here, I will go to $200. lol. I also love C/F.

 

I found this place close to me and from their on-line gallery, it looks like they do some great work. I love the red carbon fibre. For you GTA guys, they're located in Milton, Ont.
http://www.liquidcarbonshop.com/Gallary.php

 

There is no substitute for the real deal - especially on a car like the Jag. Just my opinion and one that I have backed up by spending a future on genuine carbon fiber parts.

 

Thanks Syd for the website. I have been researching the Hydrographic printing and the more I see, the more impressed I am with this process. I am in the process of getting several quotes on doing an engine cover.

The prices very from shop to shop. Some shops charge very high prices while others are quite reasonable. The shops that are higher priced seem to price the work based on an "artwork approach". The process is the same regardless of the shop used. I have found that the pattern material is quite low priced. I am finding the important part is the experience and the equipment that the hydrographics shop has to complete the work professionally.

The patterns are endless with variety, and the end result look is fantastic.

I will get back to the Jaguar Forum with some pricing soon for members once I get all my info. I am seeking the lowest price and the best quality work. I am sure that many members will be interested in the results.

I may just be the trial Guinea Pig on this.

I love the idea, and the potential look under the hood of these beautiful XK/XKR cars.

 

While I am NOT one for making modifications, I am intrigued by the Hydrographic Printing process. Thus, I have decided to have my XKR engine cover done in the Hydrographic Water Transfer process.

I have selected a company to do this who has honored a great price. I will send the engine cover out tomorrow and once I get it back I will report back here with a review, the name of the company and price. If it turns out the way I want it to, it should look awesome when raising the bonnett. It should take about 2-3 weeks from sending to receiving it back as it has to be sent out of state.

More to follow. Stay tuned.

 

Great looking forward to the result.

 

What pattern ? C/F ? Did you do the ones in your other post, If so How come your not doing your cover, Im interested in trying it myself, how hard is it. Bernie

 

Sorry Richard. My last post should have been addressed to Ghostrider.

 

I was thinking of trying the hydro dip , which product co did you use, did you find it hard to do, perhaps you can give some insight and tips ,did you have any problems ?? Thanks Bernie

 

Sorry just revisited this post. So I decided not to install these hydro dip pieces. The hydro dip pieces looks great from afar but up close it just doesn't look real to me. Looks more like a pattern than real carbon fiber. I have some carbon fiber pieces on my rover and the hydro dip looks way off.

Here's a good example. From afar is looks great:


From close up it looks like a pattern and nothing like real carbon fiber (top mirror cover is real carbon fiber from Land Rover. Bottom is the hydro dip and the same pattern as the above pic):


If you don't mind the pattern look than I think you'll like it as it's much cheaper than real carbon fiber. I decided to have a company do real carbon fiber overlay and clear coat for the rover's lip spoiler.

I did also ask the hydro dip company if there are other carbon fiber patterns but they advised the one I have is the closest to real carbon fiber look.

BTW, the wood hydrodip key fob I think turned out great.

 

The results of any Hydrographic Coating is based on the expertise and experience of the people doing the work.

You can spend $3000 for a real Carbon Fiber engine cover or find an experienced Hydrographic shop that does high quality work.

Here's $180.00 vs $3000. Since the engine cover is hardly seen, and only when the bonett/hood is lifted, this end result was amazing. Pictures do not do justice on the end result of this Hydrographic Coating.

I did plenty of research and called many shops before I sent this cover away 1500 miles.

Also keep in mind that the selection of the proper BASE color and PATTERN is extremely important.

This was a Black base coat, with Silver Carbon Fiber pattern....it looks awesome.

Here's another forum member that just posted today.......I believe he used the same Black base coat and Silver Fiber pattern, and his turned out GREAT.
He was creative in the lettering.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-cover-114153/

This is a great technology and see a big future for so many applications.