op z

Is the FAY dash option real carbon fiber or a hydrographic? I saw one thread where a FAY dash was polished to give it a glossy appearance. Has anyone else done this and, if so, what tools/polish did you use?

TBD

It is real carbon fiber...at least it is for the 2015 models.

Peace, out.

Zymurgy

The FAY option is real carbon fiber. Several forum vendors sell a variety of dash options - from real carbon fiber in matt or gloss finish, to hydrographic to painted.


Personally, I prefer the matt finish on the interior as it reduces reflections/glare.

ssidekickbp

It is real, however it weighs exactly the same as the regular one. I know because I have swapped one out before. It's only an aesthetic option.

op z

Anyone take a crack at polishing the satin paint finish?

SilversledC7

FAY is real carbon fiber skin that is secondarily bonded to an injection molded backing which mimics the standard plastic piece. No weight savings.

mksz51

True. So it's a carbon fiber laminate on plastic. Sorry to disappoint everyone - but not really carbon fiber. Your hood and top are real carbon fiber. A carbon fiber bicycle frame is real carbon fiber. A laminate is nothing but a cosmetic piece - in my mind some of the hydrographic pieces look just as good at a fraction of the price.

kevincol

Wow! I thought it was real! For $1K you would think it should be real!

ssidekickbp

I too was a little disappointed after taking it apart on my 2014 and finding out both parts weighed the same and look the exact same from behind. That's how you know it's a skin put onto the mold.

I then realized how much it would prob cost of it was 100 % real to mold into that shape and have the weave look perfect every time. ( look at how much trouble they have getting carbon fiber roof panels).

On my 2015 I still have the basic dash and I'm debating on if I even want to go through it all again just for a small change in looks....

kevincol

Well, that makes me feel a little bit better of not doing that option. I essentially swapped the $ for FAY for R8C.

Kayir

I have the Fay dash glossy. Bought it off a friend who took it off his z06 and brought it to my local body shop. They scuff it up with fine sandpaper and then put a glossy clearcoat on. Comes out fantastic for 80 bucks! An sorry I'm in a hotel or I'd post the pics now but I'll try to Sunday night.

OnPoint

To me it was worth the bucks just for the looks. IMO the dash looks too plain without it.

op z

Has anyone else polished the FAY dash to get a glossy appearance? This is what I am interested in doing. I don't want to spray the dash with a clear coat if I can avoid it. The following image is of a polished FAY dash from a thread on this forum:



This photo came from the following thread:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ht-my-car.html

zbrett

Yup. I weighed them both when I put mine in. No difference. All show, no go.

op z

Nobody responded saying they took a crack at polishing the OEM satin fiber, so I took a chance and found it works pretty well. If anyone is on the fence about installing the carbon fiber dash, fear not. The C7 carbon fiber dash would be a piece of cake for anyone who installed a C6 HUD. The hardest part is unplugging the electrical connectors. The T20 5 point Torx makes the transfer much easier. I don't know how you would do it without one. They are $5 on eBay from Pep Boys. One of the other forum members said the FAY dash makes the interior look much richer. He was spot on. This is by far the best mod I've done to date.

These pics were taken in the garage with the door closed and no flash:



I polished the dash with some Menzerna PO106FF I had laying around. I am very happpy with how the satin finish shined up. No doubt it could have been made shinier with a high gloss clear coat, but I did not want to go there.

Kayir

Here's the clear coated for reference

op z

Is that OEM or clear coated?

dmhines

I just polished mine with Meguirs Mirror Glaze 205 and a micro fiber towel. Came out great ! Not super glossy but much better than the matte stock.

Kayir

op z, that is the OEM FAY matte finish dash off my friend's Z06 which I brought to my body shop and paid 80 bucks for them to clear coat it glossy. came out fantastic!