2015 Dell XPS 13 Vinyl Wrap

Hi all,

I've had the XPS 13 for a few weeks now and was looking for a carbon fiber vinyl for the cover to match the interior of the laptop as well. Couldn't find any precut ones, so I went and grabbed a roll from my local hardware store and just cut it out myself.

All in all I am very happy with the result as it really completes the look of the laptop!

-Koan

 

That's pretty sexy. Nice pics, man.

I've been debating whether to get a carbon fiber skin for my laptop, since I can't decide which appearance looks more appealing (aluminum or carbon fiber). But I think your pics have swayed me to give a carbon fiber skin a try.

 

Wow Koan, nice work!

I actually ordered 2 diff color sheets of carbon fiber wrap online to do this on mine, 1 like yours and 1 silver/charcoal. then I ran across your pics while searching, it looks awesome... so much better, I think. I used to be a graphic artist and we did alot of logo work. It's all subjective of course and I think Dell used a really nice metal color/finish, but their logo is very dated (the circle and crooked 'E' really need to go), overall, it cheapens the machines high-end looks, this machine is so beautiful. A sleek, modern DELL logo would have worked nicely, moreover, an XPS logo would have been perfect.

Anyhow, did you measure, then cut this to form on a table & then install, or did you stick it on and use a new blade to trim around/against the brushed metal edge? (I was planning to do the razor edge trimming here), but any input from you would be great since your's came out so nice.

Thanks much!

 

Hi link6381!

I completely agree with you on the dell logo. The machine is beautiful but he logo in front is not the greatest looking one.

For the carbon fiber wrap I stuck the roll on and just used a knife to cut around the laptop. But because there is a 1 mm bend on the edges you either want to cut above that or try and have the vinyl bend to that. The latter may cause the edges to come loose easier.

In the future when I do it again I want to attempt measuring it out first exactly in order to get it perfectly before those edges.

Post a picture if you do yours. I haven't seen any actual pictures that aren't computer generated so I am interested to see other's results as well!

Koan

 

OK, the materials arrived. I did not like the silver carbon fiber i bought once laid over the XPS, but will look great on my Jeep wheels so, it won't be wasted. Anyhow, the black i chose has the same finish as Koan's, and I do think the color & natural fiber finish look best here.

I learned that there are 5 levels from matte/natural fiber, to high gloss on these carbon fiber wraps. I bought mine on ebay from a guy who sells dozens of colors, sizes finishes intended for automobile projects. I got 12" x 60" L for only $5.30 that's about a $1.06 for each time we cover our XPS and enough to do it 5 times, as opposed to @ $29 to buy a skin. Unlike alot on ebay, his is actually really c. fiber, you can see the small fibers sometimes on the edge when you cut through the sheet.

Anyhow, I ended up sticking it on over the back with about an extra 3/4" all around. then i used a couple new single edged razor blades and went down the 4 sides at a 45 degree angle, leaving the 4 curved corners hanging off squared. lastly, i carefully curved the blade around the corners to remove the material and complete the wrap.

Koan, JMOO after doing this, but I would suggest that you stick to your 'trimming it on the unit method', as opposed to trying to cut a perfect size skin on a table. The machine's aluminum edge is a flawless and stable guide to get a great result, I think even if someone had shaky hands, it should go well. The purchased skins are pre-cut off the device, but, with CAD/CAM, so of course perfect fit.

I'm very pleased with how it came out and the machine now has the looks that it should have for what it is, much more high-end than the original silver back with logo. One thing I'm going to attempt next time (only because I'm a perfectionist with stuff like this), most prob wouldn't even notice it, but... At times with temperature changes, the dell logo and circle show thru slightly on some angles, since there are small voids underneath the material. So, as to not do any permanent harm to the metal cover, I'm gonna use some elmers school glue to fill the voids prior to installing the wrap material. this will level it off even and it can be peeled away down the road if the wrap is ever to be removed.

Give it a shot guy, you'll be glad you did

 

edit: Sorry, looks like the photos didn't come through on my previous post... let me try and post them here. Just click on them to see them all:

L~

 

That looks amazing! I agree the brushed metal that slants down a little is pretty scratch resistant and running a blade through it should give you the best result. Glad to see yours turning out so nice, I don't think I can ever go back to the stock aluminum look after this!

 

Can you share the ebay seller?

nevermind found him.

 

Sure, its this one> premiumautopart http://www.ebay.com/itm/251588027451?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Its actually only $4.95 now, even cheaper and really high quality! Also, remember there are 5 levels of finish on carbon fiber so make sure you order what you want. Mine & Koan's are the 3D level finish.

 

I just bought some carbon fiber in preparation for my XPS 13 Purchase

I want to make mine look like OP's!

 

Good luck!

 

I finished wrapping mine. I added a thin aluminum Dell sticker to it. I think it finishes it nicely and makes it look like it came this way from the factory. I may attempt to wrap the bottom someday...possibly look into having a piece professionally cut. I originally tried to wrap it with the same stu ff used for clear car bras(urethane I think), which would have looked awesome but it was way too hard to work with since I didn't want tons of water and soap solution on my laptop, and I don't really trust someone else doing it. I wish Bodyguardz made a clear wrap kit for us like they do for Macbooks. I asked and they had no plans to.



Btw, this is "Premium 4D Gloss Black Carbon Fiber Vinyl Wrap Bubble Free Air Release" from integra9006hid on ebay. It was about $7 for a 12"x60" piece.

 

Very nice looking vinyl wraps! There is however one thing I noticed, the vinyl wraps you all used is of twill weave type.
Could any of you direct me towards a seller of plain weave carbon fibre vinyl, just like the inside of the xps 13?

Kind regards

 

The inside of the XPS is Carbon Fiber. Just do a search for "XPS 13 skin" or "XPS 13 carbon fiber skin".

I've seen this one come up a few times, with good reviews:
http://www.skinit.com/textured-skins/carbon-fiber-texture-xps-13-notebook-13in-2015-skin

 

That looks really nice, is it difficult to do never tried using a skin before?

 

Got my Dell XPS 15 skin from dbrand, expensive but good quality, with 3D texture and it fits perfectly!
edit: I've chosen not to cover up the service tag flap thingy on the bottom, but the skin for it is also included along with a plain logo w/out the "DELL" letters cut out if you wanna cover that up.

 

Guys thank you for this post. I created an account just to say that. It worked out so well! I would post a picture but I can't seem to figure out how to post a picture on this forum. Doh! Anyways THANKS!