Black Carbon wrap pics
#21
The more I look at this car, the more I am convinced that the hood louvers could look so much better, at least on a white car. The black plastic was gaudy, and after covering with a matte black carbon, it looked better but I still feel it takes away from the smooth lines of the white car. Jaguar must have felt this too because in the new F's they color matched the louvers to the car.
Well this is my new project.
Plan is to:
Paint the outside "J" curl of the louver polaris white.
Keep the inner grilling black.
Keep the inner flat portion, where it says "JAGUAR" wrapped in black carbon to tie with the rest.
This has been bugging me since I bought the car. It's probably only an issue with white cars because of the extreme contrast of the high gloss plastic louver.
Just got back from the paint store to get my supplies...
Custom polaris white spray paint
Can of clear
Some Scotchbrite in red to scuff gloss back plastic.
Masking tape and blades and away I go.
I get compulsive about making my car look perfect to me.
Stay tuned.
Well this is my new project.
Plan is to:
Paint the outside "J" curl of the louver polaris white.
Keep the inner grilling black.
Keep the inner flat portion, where it says "JAGUAR" wrapped in black carbon to tie with the rest.
This has been bugging me since I bought the car. It's probably only an issue with white cars because of the extreme contrast of the high gloss plastic louver.
Just got back from the paint store to get my supplies...
Custom polaris white spray paint
Can of clear
Some Scotchbrite in red to scuff gloss back plastic.
Masking tape and blades and away I go.
I get compulsive about making my car look perfect to me.
Stay tuned.
Love the look. Hood now flows without the glaring break up of the plastic louvers. May may wonder what the big deal is but for those of us with white cars, I'm sure can relate to the fact the the black hood louver looks out of place.
Interesting observation when removing the louvers...The motor cover "SUPERCHARGED" plates are located directly under the louver openings and the thought came to my mind if there was an easy way to Dremel open the louver so the plate underneath can be seen. If the flat area of the louver was cut away, it would look just awesome to have the engine cover plate visible, especially if you filled in the "SUPERCHARGED" lettering in say red. replacement louvers being cheap, I almost pulled the trigger to guineapig my louvers toward this idea but at the last minute I balked because I wasn't sure about the ramifications of rain or possible wind whistling with that area missing from the louver.
Has anyone spoken of this idea in the past? Might be worth investigating.
Last edited by polarisnavyxj; 06-14-2016 at 11:25 AM.
#23
#24
Awwww damn.
OK, OK. Jag had changed this design three times in four years. Wondering if it's all aesthetic or of purpose. For the latest design 2016-7 (gen III) , The hood openings are definitely the same as 2015-6 (gen II). The gen II louvers are definitely the most aggressive in terms of shape but need to be coded unless you have a black or very dark car.
The early (gen I) louver you show would look great color coded to the car but its missing height. The gen II louver modified may be the winner.
Heres a pic of the gen III louver on current cars and Jag went with a compromise of flat and a second level of height which looks better than the gen I in my opinion. You also can see the "SUPERCHARGED" with the gen III. I may just get a set of these once I find the part number.
Opinions?
OK, OK. Jag had changed this design three times in four years. Wondering if it's all aesthetic or of purpose. For the latest design 2016-7 (gen III) , The hood openings are definitely the same as 2015-6 (gen II). The gen II louvers are definitely the most aggressive in terms of shape but need to be coded unless you have a black or very dark car.
The early (gen I) louver you show would look great color coded to the car but its missing height. The gen II louver modified may be the winner.
Heres a pic of the gen III louver on current cars and Jag went with a compromise of flat and a second level of height which looks better than the gen I in my opinion. You also can see the "SUPERCHARGED" with the gen III. I may just get a set of these once I find the part number.
Opinions?
Last edited by polarisnavyxj; 06-14-2016 at 12:14 PM.
#25
Polaris, the differences aren't generational, but rather specific to trim levels and RWD vs AWD. DJS's 2014 RWD (V8)S louver is identical to my 2016 (V6)S RWD louver as is the 2017 RWD S louver. The AWD lovers are totally different since they are in a totally different location. There's also the black pak and chrome options. These have all been available since day one.
#26
Polaris, the differences aren't generational, but rather specific to trim levels and RWD vs AWD. DJS's 2014 RWD (V8)S louver is identical to my 2016 (V6)S RWD louver as is the 2017 RWD S louver. The AWD lovers are totally different since they are in a totally different location. There's also the black pak and chrome options. These have all been available since day one.
#27
#28
#30
Thanks for posting this. I'm not really a fan of the murdered black wheels on the F-Type, but I really like what you did with the XJ.
From a design perspective I've always like the sinuous design of XJ with one exception which is the length of the trunk...it's very nicely tapered from the rear view but from the side view it extends too far back off the wheels and looks boatish and ill-proportioned to me.
By blackening the rear diffuser and using those high contrast wheels it really breaks up that silhouette in a nice way, thinning out the silhouette and giving the car a nice menacing stance.
From a design perspective I've always like the sinuous design of XJ with one exception which is the length of the trunk...it's very nicely tapered from the rear view but from the side view it extends too far back off the wheels and looks boatish and ill-proportioned to me.
By blackening the rear diffuser and using those high contrast wheels it really breaks up that silhouette in a nice way, thinning out the silhouette and giving the car a nice menacing stance.
#31
Thanks for posting this. I'm not really a fan of the murdered black wheels on the F-Type, but I really like what you did with the XJ.
From a design perspective I've always like the sinuous design of XJ with one exception which is the length of the trunk...it's very nicely tapered from the rear view but from the side view it extends too far back off the wheels and looks boatish and ill-proportioned to me.
By blackening the rear diffuser and using those high contrast wheels it really breaks up that silhouette in a nice way, thinning out the silhouette and giving the car a nice menacing stance.
From a design perspective I've always like the sinuous design of XJ with one exception which is the length of the trunk...it's very nicely tapered from the rear view but from the side view it extends too far back off the wheels and looks boatish and ill-proportioned to me.
By blackening the rear diffuser and using those high contrast wheels it really breaks up that silhouette in a nice way, thinning out the silhouette and giving the car a nice menacing stance.
#32
It is much worse on the LWB obviously.
BTW the XJ is still my favorite large sedan out there, would pick it over any of the comps.
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