What do you guys think about running a bare fiber hood?

[jbutlr]

I thinking about running a bare carbon fiber hood with hood pins and cowl on my 69. Just not sure if it will look out of place. Heres a pic of the car. What do you think?http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y8/jbutler45/IMG_2667.jpg (http://www.pro-touring.com/forum/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y8/jbutler45/IMG_2667.jpg%5B/IMG%5D)

[MODO Innovations]

My only concern would be UV protection and yellowing over time. I think I read something about UV, it is murder on carbon fiber. It may not be an issue though with all of the space age components in the gel coats.

[ccracin]

You may be able to find a clear that has UV protection capabilities? Shrug

[monza]

I think it may look alright. However, some other colored cars might be better suited for it.
I think the real issue it is kinda bitin' rice and not sure you want to go there.

[murtah]

I think it may look alright. However, some other colored cars might be better suited for it.
I think the real issue it is kinda bitin' rice and not sure you want to go there.

Concur, I don't think your car would look as good as it does with a bare CF hood. Perhaps if it was graphite, silver or a similar hue.

[XcYZ]

I think the real issue it is kinda bitin' rice and not sure you want to go there.

I agree, too rice.

[DDY RCKT]

If you run a completely bare CF hood, you're skirting rice territory. However, some production cars have gone tasteful of late. The 2004 Corvette Commemorative Edition has a CF hood, and they left a strip of exposed CF on either side of the white hood stripe. A lot of high end cars, the new ZR1, the BMW M's, etc. have exposed CF hoods, or other bits. If you were to do CF rally stripes, that could look amazing, for example.

Obviously there are clears out there that provide UV yellowing protection for CF. Maybe you can give Anvil a call, and ask them?

[Garage Dog 65]

To me a bolt on CF panel with no paint or connection to the rest of the car looks outta place. I really like the CF panels that are 'expose' through the paint or graphic details so you know it's under there - and it should be tied into the rest of the car design with CF accents or something. Just a single panel like a trunk, door, or hood bolted on throws off the visual balance/flow of the car.

[mlomaka]

I would paint it red to match, but mask either the rally stripes or one big wide stripe and leave it CF. The nyou just need to worry about the trunk.:lol: That should be an easy fix.

[MaxHarvard]

If it was part of the design of the car, such as a 2 tone paint scheme, then i would say, yes, leave it alone. But since the rest of the car is painted well and looks nice, i say paint it to look like the rest of the car. Otherwise, like others pointed out, you run the risk of falling into the dreaded "rice" category. And i should know ;)

[whytry]

Is your goal the look or the weight savings? If it's the savings, then paint it, if I recall you can paint it and still have the carbon fiber look, but it will not be as distinct, and not look ricey

[Scotch]

If you run a completely bare CF hood, you're skirting rice territory. However, some production cars have gone tasteful of late. The 2004 Corvette Commemorative Edition has a CF hood, and they left a strip of exposed CF on either side of the white hood stripe. A lot of high end cars, the new ZR1, the BMW M's, etc. have exposed CF hoods, or other bits. If you were to do CF rally stripes, that could look amazing, for example.

Obviously there are clears out there that provide UV yellowing protection for CF. Maybe you can give Anvil a call, and ask them?


I like this idea- leave the exposed CF for stripes but paint the rest of it. If you had a matching CF decklid with the same treatment, it'd be bitchin'. But I'd never leave the upper surface exposed. I've always equated it to not being finished, like it was still in primer or something.

That, and it's pretty ricey too.

I might consider leaving the underhood surface exposed, though. That way, there's no question it's truly a 100 percent CF hood.

~SP~

[jbutlr]

The "rice" thing is what my main concern was. My main problem is matching the paint. It never comes out right. You can get it close but never right on. I love the idea of leaving the RS stripes exposed and paint the rest but I would run into a major issues with were the stripes start in the rear of the car, in front of the deck lid under the rear window. I would have to start the stripe on the deck lid and end it on the spoiler. Not real sure about just having the stripes on the hood.