Is Carbon Fiber paintable ? If so, does it hold paint well?

EJ1-B18C5R · Post by **EJ1-B18C5R** » December 3rd, 2003, 6:08 pm

Hello all,
I don't know much about the Carbon Fiber thing. However, a friend recently mentioned that he thought it was paintable. Upon hearing this, my brain began to think about the possibility of decreasing weight while not looking like I'm in Fast & Furious. I'm interested in functionality. Mainly just the hood.
If it is paintable? Does it take and keep paint just as well as any other car part?
Thank you for any input.

opie · Post by **opie** » December 3rd, 2003, 8:50 pm

A friend of mine has a Fiber Images hood that he clear coated. Took about 15 coats to get it to stay though. I saw it, it was great! The guy would spray it with clear and the hood just kept absorbing it..

He eventually finished the job and the hood looks great, however the hood is probably 10 times heavier than it was originally because of all the clear on it now

Can't even see the fiber images signature on the hood anymore because it is filled in with clear coat!

Opie

EJ1-B18C5R · Post by **EJ1-B18C5R** » December 3rd, 2003, 11:40 pm

Thanks for your reply Opie.
Now your friend did clear, did he just want to add gloss? Or is that all you can put on Carbon Fiber? If I did it, I would be interested in painting it black like the rest of my car.

B2FiNiTY · Post by **B2FiNiTY** » December 9th, 2003, 5:12 am

It is not as easy to paint as body panels but if the painter is competent, it shouldn't be a problem at all.

EJ1-B18C5R · Post by **EJ1-B18C5R** » December 9th, 2003, 2:17 pm

So Opie you have brought up another question.
This goes out to anyone who can help.

Ok it's paintable.
However, does the amount of paint necessary negate going to a Carbon Fiber hood for weight reduction in the first place? How much weight in paint are we talking here?

Thank you for our help

98cwitr · Post by **98cwitr** » December 10th, 2003, 3:43 pm

why would you paint CF?

EJ1-B18C5R · Post by **EJ1-B18C5R** » December 10th, 2003, 4:17 pm

Because some people simply like their car the way it is. I'm not trying to "LOOK" like a race car, but do believe in functionality.

98cwitr · Post by **98cwitr** » December 10th, 2003, 4:54 pm

i know a painted CF hood is lighter than a regular hood, but isnt take partcially defeating the purpose?

EJ1-B18C5R · Post by **EJ1-B18C5R** » December 10th, 2003, 8:18 pm

That's EXACTLY what my last question was?

A Carbon fiber hood is lighter than a metal one. I am interested in the weight reduction aspect of Carbon fiber for the performance qualities. But how much weight is added by paint, if Carbon fiber requires a few more extra layers of paint than your usual sheet metal?

98cwitr · Post by **98cwitr** » December 11th, 2003, 3:15 pm

PS wrote:That's EXACTLY what my last question was?

A Carbon fiber hood is lighter than a metal one. I am interested in the weight reduction aspect of Carbon fiber for the performance qualities. But how much weight is added by paint, if Carbon fiber requires a few more extra layers of paint than your usual sheet metal?

shit my bad (duh, need to read posts

) i would say it would add a good 7-8 lbs with all 15 coats

EJ1-B18C5R · Post by **EJ1-B18C5R** » December 11th, 2003, 4:58 pm

Do you know for a fact that's about how many coats it would take? 15? Or was that joking?

98cwitr · Post by **98cwitr** » December 11th, 2003, 5:03 pm

primer should stick to the CF finish ok...

my rear bumper has scuff marks on it (previous damage covered by touch up paint) and i went to have it repainted but was scared that the color wasnt going to match...be careful

Plus its not bad enough to pay $425 just to get the bumper repainted (that was with NO blending). You get what you pay for when it comes to paint jobs IMHO.

JUN.R · Post by **JUN.R** » December 11th, 2003, 10:29 pm

there's nothing fast&furious about CF, just find a nice hood and leave it (IMO) it'll look even better having a black ITR.

think these guys are trying to bling?

nuh uh

98cwitr · Post by **98cwitr** » December 12th, 2003, 11:22 am

i give a CW ITR w/ a CF hood two big thumbs up. CTRs looks really good with CF hoods too

JUN.R · Post by **JUN.R** » December 12th, 2003, 7:02 pm

me too

jiahanhao · Post by **jiahanhao** » December 12th, 2003, 7:39 pm

I think a carbon fiber hood looks fine unpainted, but what about when people start getting into carbon fiber fenders, bumpers, and even quarter panels? I think those need some paint...

JUN.R · Post by **JUN.R** » December 13th, 2003, 1:23 pm

i agree, but if it's a full carbon fiber body it's sexy as all hell

ITRCA

Is Carbon Fiber paintable ? If so, does it hold paint well?

Is Carbon Fiber paintable ? If so, does it hold paint well?

Paintable Carbon Fiber?