Thinking about getting a CF hood, but I want to paint it (my car is black) just wondering if there are any special problems with painting CF and how much would it generally cost.

 

Why would you want to do such a thing? Just get a fiberglass hood then. Sheesh!

 

IMO, not painting ANY body part (CF or FB) is lame. All the Honda guys run around with unpainted body kits and it just looks lame.

As far as painting CF, there isn't anything special. Just take it to a paint shop and ask for an estimate. If you car hasn't been repainted yet, give them your car when they paint it (or at least your stock hood) so they can match the paint.

 

I hate that unpainted CF look, it looks ugly I have seen many Hondas with CF hoods with some crazy hood scoops allmost all are not even funtional.

 

So then what's the ultimate difference between a painted CF hood and a fiberglass hood? Someone please splain to me.

 

Carbon fiber has a better strength to weight ratio. This seems to be only marginally signifcant for hand layups of non load bearing parts.

 

The extra money you've spent for no reason....

 

The paint on my carbon fiber mazdaspeed hood cracked near the front driovers side vent. Not sure why, maybe not enough flex adhesive in the mix, FYI.

 

(slap forhead) Why would you ever paint a CF hood (unless its dry carbon and then its a whole different story. Even then, I would not paint a dry carbon hood!)? Save yourself some money and just buy a fiberglass hood and get it painted. They weight pretty much the same weight and have the same strenght.

 

I heard someonewhere that carbon fiber warps under the heat of the engine...is this true?

 

it can but probally wont unless its very hot/very near the turbos or made with out any vents (why would anyone make a cf hood and not put vents in to it, vents are cool )

what you should be more scared of is the cf yellowing due to UV light (my new epoxy has uv light protection adn 180 degreeF. heat deflection )

 

Don't paint it, what is the reason in buying it then?

 

I cant see a CF hood warping due to heat. I mean they even make exhaust parts from CF. Those would get a lot hotter than the hood.

 

I'm pretty sure that there is a thick layer of insulation, perhaps the entire area between the outer layer and inner pipe is just for insulation (idk, i have never even seen one of these for real or cut in 1/2).

 

Thanks guys...for helping me learn a thing or two.