Choosing a dashboard trim finish: wood look, carbon look, aluminium look, piano black or colour

The finish is the decision that changes your interior the most, and also the one people hesitate over longest. All our finishes are printed decors protected by a clear, high-gloss PU dome – they are not real wood, real carbon or real metal – so the choice is about look, not material. This guide compares the main families and gives a simple way to decide.

Wood looks: walnut, burl and lighter woods

Wood looks bring warmth. Darker walnut and burl looks suit classic cars, older executive saloons and motorhomes with wooden furniture; lighter wood looks open up a dark cabin. In a camper, a wood look that is close in tone to the furniture makes the cockpit feel like part of the living area.

Carbon look and forged carbon look

Carbon look suits sporty cars and modern vans with black or grey plastics. The woven pattern adds texture without adding colour. Forged carbon look, with its irregular marbled pattern, is a more modern variant, available on Designer Trim sets.

Brushed aluminium look

A brushed aluminium look gives a clean, technical interior. It works well in vans, trucks and modern cars where you want a lighter accent without wood. It pairs well with black dashboards and silver details already present in the cabin.

Piano black and other gloss colours

Piano black is deep and uniform and suits almost any modern interior. Like every gloss surface it shows dust and fingerprints more than a matt one. Colours – from red or blue to a shade matched to the exterior paint – are the way to personalise a car; on Designer Trim sets you can also ask for a custom colour.

Gloss or matt?

Every kit is delivered with a glossy, domed surface, which gives depth to the decor. If you prefer a matt look, or fewer reflections in a sunny cockpit, spray one or two coats of clear matt lacquer on the parts before installing them. The dome keeps its shape; only the surface sheen changes.

A simple way to decide

1. Look at the colours that are already fixed: seats, door cards, furniture, exterior paint.
2. Decide whether you want the trim to blend in (similar tone) or to stand out (contrast).
3. Check the product photos of your exact model – each kit page shows the available finishes.
4. If you are between two finishes, choose the one that matches the seats; they cover the largest area of the cabin.

FAQ

Are the wood and carbon finishes real materials?

No. They are high-resolution prints protected by a clear PU dome. They look like wood or carbon but are not real veneer or real carbon fibre.

Which finish hides scratches and dust best?

Matt surfaces and patterned finishes such as wood or carbon look show dust and fingerprints less than piano black.

Can I see the finishes on my car?

Each product page shows the finishes available for that model. Read more about how we make our templates.