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So I decided to wrap my MBP with some 3M Carbon Vinyl...

R

rc.square24

macrumors member
Original poster
Feb 12, 2008
35
0
I ordered some 3M Di-Noc Carbon Vinyl off eBay (~20 CDN Shipped) to wrap the top shell of my Mac. It turned out pretty good (I think) especially how the reflection from the pattern changes according to the lighting around it (unlike cheaper ones where it's just a printed pattern on a glossy sheet), close to how real carbon fibre would shine.

The vinyl was pretty easy to work with. I took the top shell off (iFixit) so it's easier to cut the apple logo out and also wrap around the edges. Other than the tools to take the shell off, all you need is a hairdryer for the corners and a cutter blade to trim the excess material.

The material has the woven texture on the surface. Anyways here are some pics from my iPhone.

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I think it looks awesome dude! Nice work, maybe you should consider the rest of the computer? It really reminds me of the neck of my Modulus bass, which is made out of carbon fiber/graphite!!
 
I thought about doing the bottom, but then decided not to cuz I like the aluminum carbon contrast when the book is closed. I'm also worried about the heat cuz I'm sure you guys know how hot it gets at times.
 
That is pretty neat. And nice. I was thinking some laser done on my next-gen MBP, but the bloody thing doesn't want to come out.
 
Hellishness said:
wow! i really want to do this when i get my first mac!...does it void your warranty??


it looks AMAZING!!!
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It shouldn't if you don't take it apart when wrapping it (I just find it easier and neater work). If you don't take it apart it might be hard to cut out the apple cuz the material isn't thin enough for you to see the boundaries. but if you do it right they shouldn't be able to tell that its been apart (at least for this gen MBP).

Opstech said:
Awesome job! How long did it take for the corners to bend/mold?
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Hair-drying it almost instantly softens up and wraps around it. Whole wrapping step took about 15-20 mins
 
rc.square24 said:
It shouldn't if you don't take it apart when wrapping it (I just find it easier and neater work). If you don't take it apart it might be hard to cut out the apple cuz the material isn't thin enough for you to see the boundaries. but if you do it right they shouldn't be able to tell that its been apart (at least for this gen MBP).



Hair-drying it almost instantly softens up and wraps around it. Whole wrapping step took about 15-20 mins
Click to expand...

damn...i would be getting the latest (arrandale) one...maybe they can come out with a pre-cut one :)
 
Surely said:
That looks friggin' sick. Well done.:cool:

Can you shoot some close ups of the Apple logo and the edges?
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Best I could take with my iPhone (my only dc) without it blurring.
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Abyssgh0st said:
How is this material for gripping?
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I assume you are referring to the adhesive strength, overall its quite good except for the corners where it might bulge up a teeny bit. Nothing that a light thumb press won't take care of.

If you're talking about the surface grip (fingers?), theres not much difference than the aluminum top.
 
Hellishness said:
damn...i would be getting the latest (arrandale) one...maybe they can come out with a pre-cut one :)
Click to expand...

I actually saw some on eBay that were precut for unibody Macs (Arrandale pros should come in the same form factor I presume), but they have a slit on each corner for the contour and the sides don't go all the way to the edges of the shell (for mass fitment I guess).
 
Very cool. I think it looks a bit odd only being on the lid but I can imagine that it might not be the best idea to wrap the rest of it.
 
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