why does the carbon fiber hood look messed up on some cars...is it because of the sun or something else? how do you prevent that from happening or how do you take care of it?

 

u have to clear coat the carbon fiber hood as soon as u get it, and asically take really good care of it. if it starts to haze... which it shouldn't with a well done clear coat... just get it redone.

 

okay how much does it cost 2 clear coat it? if it starts 2 haze u gotta clear coat again?

 

ooh good question, if i move into navy housing soon ill have all kinds of money to blow on goodies!

 

with a well done clear coat on the CF. Regular washing and waxing with the right products and right method your cf hood will last for years...

This is a great thread most of your answers can be found here if not you can always ask....good luck

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1400413

 

actually sometime its not the clear coat that fades its the resin used in the carbon fiber

 

actually...I believe the reason why it looks messed up on some cars isn't due to the sun... It's more likely due to the type of resin (polyester based) that was used when making the hood. Look at the guys with carbon fiber on their bikes... their **** don't look all messed up unless they cheaped out and went with an off brand that uses a ****ty resin. Also, if the resin cracks it shouldn't spider web. The luster and shine of the CF shouldn't fade and dull over time. If you buy Epoxy resin finished CF parts they'll be a **** load more expensive but will last longer and look better for longer... The cheaper way to protect hoods that aren't made with an expensive grade resin is to clear coat them as stated above.

Jon

 

I agree it's not the sun. I don't have a covered parking spot but my CF hood never faded. The car just sat in the sun the whole day for two years. The only problems were the micro scratches involved on the hood after you clearcoat. It's very easily noticable on CF.

 

actually it should probably be a sealant rather than a clear coat due to what Jon stated above

 

I had a kakumei vortex generators on my STI for almost 3 years. I never once had it clear coated, just normal wash and wax. When I left for the Big Island this past June for 3 weeks I came back to a vortex generator that was severely damaged due to the elements of Schofield Barracks. Was it the sun? Was it the rain? Personally I believe it was a combination of both. I believe my vortex generators only lasted me that long due to the fact my car was in covered storage for 15 months while I was in Iraq.

 

best way to not have that happen????? dont run cf hood!!! or anything else that will be exposed to direct sunlight unless you want to spend the money on uv protectant clear coat!!!

 

dam im ***.... I never clear coat my hood... thats why it looks like its turning into a carbon kevlar color ahhh jank.

 

my cf hood all messed up lots of haze and oxidation.. i heard using 3M marine polish helps but id rather sand um down then clear coat.. anybody done it yet? dont wanna bring it the shop cuz im ballin on a budget... haha

 

Not to thread jack

But what company do you guys think makes high quality CF products?

 

^^^none cf is cf.......crack it .....your screwed....scratch it your screwed....run it on your car without a good clearcoat your screwed!! bummer i kind of like the look of cf but waaay too high maintenence!! oh and micah im still waiting for you to call me up about your kit!