Carbon Fiber + Black Paint

[EyesofFreedom]

I have a 02 Nighthawk Pearl Black Sedan and I am wondering something.

What is everyones opinion when it comes to a Carbon Fiber hood on a black car. By the way, when the sun is about to go down my car turns to a dark saphire blue for about an hour.

I love the look of carbon fiber but dont know if it will stand out enough from the black to be noticable. Check out my pics of 'Black Beauty' (my four year old daughter named the car!) and tell me what you think.

[TJ213]

You could get one of those colored carbon fiber hoods

Man, they must be somewhat rare though, I went through about 200 photos on the Club RSX forums without finding one.

It also might depend on the type of clear, if you use one that is less glossy the CF hood will probally stand out more, but won't be as shiny.

[AP1fun]

The black in carbon fiber is actually carbon strips and the silver is kevlar. The kevlar keeps it together and is what is colored to make the hood considered anything besides black. Most CF hood don't even have a clear coat but a gel coat which wears away rather quickly compaired to painters clear coat. So if you want less weight and the same look you can get a body shop to order some of your paint code (should be in your door jam) and rough up the hood then paint it the same black as your car.

[EyesofFreedom]

Originally Posted by AP1fun

The black in carbon fiber is actually carbon strips and the silver is kevlar. The kevlar keeps it together and is what is colored to make the hood considered anything besides black. Most CF hood don't even have a clear coat but a gel coat which wears away rather quickly compaired to painters clear coat. So if you want less weight and the same look you can get a body shop to order some of your paint code (should be in your door jam) and rough up the hood then paint it the same black as your car.

If you are going to have carbon fiber, then why paint it? The beauty of carbon fiber is seeing that awesome checker board pattern that looks 3 inches deep. I am just trying to find out people opinions of carbon fiber on a black-ish car.

[AP1fun]

CF offers more than cool looks. It's very light and strong. It disipates (sp?) heat very very well painted or not which is a huge factor when looking into serious racing (more closed track than on the street) and into turbo set ups where the engine bay is heat soaked. I can post up some pictures of CF hoods painted that actually look wonderful. I won't get started on CF doors and stuff because what if you have a red car and black/CF doors thats horrible.

[99blackaccord]

i think carbon fiber on a black car is sweet look. the downfall is the hood wont be noticed from a distance. i saw a tecnique of painting a mist of color on the hood so that the carbon fiber is still vissable(red was used and the car was black). i am planning on getting my hood and a custom carbon piece for my rear bumper after the new year. i just wish there were more carbon parts for 4 door accords

[EyesofFreedom]

Well that is one thing I actually like. From a short distance I want it to maintain that sleeper look. Only under close inspection in a lighted area would someone notice the difference in the hood.

I know they weigh A LOT less and dissipate heat quickly, but they are not your usual low cost modification...so if I dont look right I am out a good bit of cash.

And to be honest my car is not always black. It always has a slight dark blue hue to it...more at night in the parking lots.

Now that I have gotten some opinions...anyone know of a good deal on REAL carbon fiber hoods. I want one I simply bolt on using the factory hinges and latch mechanism...so I guess it would be called 'Ride Ready'?

Also a little education on the different grades of CF would be appreciated. I have heard of class A, grade A and grade AA. So there is a little confusion there.

[AP1fun]

get a reputable dealer. No Ebay BS.

Personal suggestions are
1. Mugen
2. Sebon (assuming they make one for your application)
3. Carbon Creations

[EyesofFreedom]

Yeah...I laughed at one eBay ad that had a 'genuine carbon fiber gas lid' and when you look at the pic close you see two things

1. It is a sticker...because you can see the wrinkled edges

2. It is on a late 80's Escort...yeah right. Like there is a big demand for CF for those ford p.o.s.'s

[EyesofFreedom]

How about ones made by VIS Racing?

http://www.visracing.com/catalog/pro...roducts_id=156