FAQ

The installation of aftermarket carbon fiber hoods necessitates the expertise of a professional body shop. This process may involve adjustments or modifications, such as enlarging stock holes for windshield nozzles and mounting holes for the underside heat shield. In some cases, ovalizing the hood latch mounting holes may also be necessary to allow for additional adjustment. Additionally, the body shop will be responsible for transferring all essential mounting hardware, including the latch, windshield nozzles, and hinges. These tasks are standard bodywork and installation procedures, and any resulting issues should not be seen as indicative of a defective item.

Manufacturing Process: Carbon fiber hoods are hand crafted through complex manufacturing processes that involve layering carbon fibers and applying resin. Despite stringent quality control measures, some imperfections may still occur, albeit at varying degrees.

Aesthetic Variation: Each carbon fiber hood is unique due to variations in the manufacturing process. These imperfections contribute to the distinctive character and individuality of carbon fiber components. They are often seen as a part of the material's natural charm rather than defects.

Functionality and Durability: It's essential to note that while imperfections may affect the aesthetic appeal, they typically do not compromise the functionality or structural integrity of the carbon fiber hood. Carbon fiber remains renowned for its lightweight, strength, and resilience.

Consequently, minor imperfections such as waves within the weave, small bubbles, and blemishes in the clear coat are inevitable and should not be grounds for returns or exchanges.

Our grade "A" carbon fiber hoods are the best in the industry. Each hood is built with a strong carbon fiber skeleton. The outer layer is hand-laid with carbon fiber along with several layers of clear coating that provides the Hi-gloss show-quality finish that other hoods just cannot imitate. The outermost layer of clear coats is a UV coating that protects it from the harmful rays of the sun. Unlike other hoods in the market, our hoods do not fade and turn yellow in a few months. The underside of each OEM hood is reinforced fiberglass with a one-piece fiberglass covering the underling skeleton to provide a clean factory look. We also have double-sided carbon fiber hoods whose skeletons are covered with carbon fiber for more refined look.

Fiberglass body kits are crafted through a meticulous process that starts with design and prototype creation. Designers first conceptualize the kit, then create a full-scale model, usually from clay or foam, to refine the design. Once the model is finalized, a mold is made by applying a release agent to the prototype and covering it with layers of fiberglass and resin, which then cure to form a negative replica of the part.

The actual body kit parts are made by laying fiberglass mats into the mold, then coating them with resin. This process is repeated to build up the part's thickness, ensuring air bubbles are removed for uniformity and strength. After curing, the part is removed from the mold, trimmed, and any excess material is sanded away for a smooth finish. Holes for mounting are drilled, and the part undergoes a final inspection before being primed and painted, ready for installation on a vehicle. This method allows for the creation of lightweight, durable components that can significantly alter a vehicle's aesthetics and aerodynamics.

Please see our Terms-And-Conditions page for detail.

Gas struts and tension rods are engineered to produce significant pressure to aid in the opening and lifting of heavier Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) hoods, trunks, and hatches. However, these OEM components are designed with a specific rigidity and weight in mind, which is not always compatible with aftermarket composite parts. Our composite parts, unlike the factory versions, do not have the same level of tensile strength to withstand the pressure generated by the standard struts/rods. This mismatch can lead to fitment issues, with symptoms including bulging and, in more severe cases, cracking of the aftermarket parts.

Should you encounter such issues, it is crucial to immediately remove the struts or rods to prevent further damage. To potentially rectify minor deformations, one can try a method involving the application of heat and weight: place a heavy object on the deformed area, ensuring there is a towel or some protective layer between the object and the composite part, and leave it under sunlight for several days. This technique may help reverse the deformation if it hasn't been left unaddressed for too long.

Items sold by VIS Racing Sports Inc. ("VIS") may not be legal for street use in all states and none of the parts from our company are DOT approved. It is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with applicable state laws. All fiberglass or carbon fiber parts have no warranty. All goods are sold as is unless otherwise specified. There are no other warranties, express, implied, including any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

All special orders require a nonrefundable deposit of the total costs. If there is any cancellation for any reason by the Buyer, that deposit is forfeited immediately to Vis Racing Sports Inc. Vis shall not be responsible for any late shipments. All shipping dates given are approximate. Buyer shall not be entitled to chargebacks, reductions of price, or other offsets as result of late shipment or failure to deliver in estimated time of delivery. If special order item(s) are left over 30 days from time of Vis receiving parts in stock; and Buyer has not made any attempt whatsoever to claim their order, then the order shall be considered canceled and all monies previously deposited shall be forfeited to Vis.

Installation of all aftermarket hoods requires the expertise of a professional body shop. This process may involve adjusting latches, hooks, or fenders, among other components, as part of the standard installation procedure. Additionally, modification may be necessary, including drilling out stock holes for windshield nozzles and mounting holes for the underside heat shield. In certain cases, it may also be necessary to ovalize the hood latch mounting holes to allow for more adjustment. The body shop will also need to transfer all essential mounting hardware, such as latches, windshield nozzles, and hinges. It is recommended to apply loctite to all mounting hardware and recheck during each oil change for optimal safety.

These tasks are considered typical bodywork and installation steps; any resulting issues are not indicative of a defective item. Furthermore, all hoods require hood pins for safety reasons and cannot sustain any force or weight on the surface, as this could result in cracking.

Fiberglass parts (including body kits, hoods, and trunks) are manufactured using hand-laid techniques, which are more labor-intensive but result in superior fiberglass quality. These parts come with a primer finish, which can be sanded and painted. Sanding, trimming, cutting, shaving, refilling, remolding, and potentially removing reinforcement bars or shock absorbers may be necessary to ensure proper fitment and finish. It is essential to pre-fit all aftermarket fiberglass parts onto the car before painting and installation.

Using a carbon fiber hood instead of a traditional steel hood can lead to weight savings. Carbon fiber is a lightweight and strong material commonly used in automotive applications to reduce the overall weight of vehicles, which can improve performance and fuel efficiency.

The amount of weight saved by using a carbon fiber hood depends on various factors such as the size and design of the hood, as well as the specific materials used in its construction. However, in general, carbon fiber hoods can be significantly lighter than their steel counterparts.

For example, a typical steel hood for a car might weigh around 30 to 40 pounds, whereas a carbon fiber hood designed to fit the same vehicle could weigh as little as 18 to 23 pounds  or even less, depending on the design and construction.

Adjustment is a standard requirement for any hood installation. Aftermarket hoods or trunks may not fit exactly like OEM parts. However, any gaps present can typically be corrected through meticulous adjustment.

To achieve proper alignment (whether reinstalling your factory hood or installing an aftermarket one), it's necessary to loosen (but not remove) all bolts attaching the hood to the hinges initially. Once this step is completed, close the hood and check for excessive tension on the front latch. If tension is detected, loosen the latch and adjust it until the hood closes smoothly, similar to a factory hood.

Avoid dropping the hood to close it by gravity or applying excessive pressure to the front latch area. Instead, use gentle pressure with your palm over the latch area until it securely latches into place. This careful approach ensures proper alignment and reduces the risk of damage during closure. If you lack experience with installation, it's advisable to seek the assistance of a Professional Aftermarket Body Shop.

Aftermarket  trunk don't always match the precise specifications of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. You may observe minor differences in size and how it lines up, which could result in a slightly wider gap between the trunk and your car's body than you'd see with the factory trunk.

To get the best fit, it's important to adjust the trunk as accurately as you can, aiming for uniformity on both sides. Proper alignment not only enhances the look but also maintains the trunk's proper operation.

We highly recommend using a heatshield to protect the hood from discoloration, yellowing, cracking, and bubbling.