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.

 

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

Opie

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

why would you paint CF?

 

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.

 

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

 

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