FAQ

Cloudy white spots on carbon fiber hoods often result from environmental factors and a lack of proper maintenance. Here’s a detailed exploration of the common causes and how to prevent them, particularly for those involved in aftermarket modifications like carbon fiber hoods:

Environmental Exposure

1. UV Damage: Extended exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can degrade the resin in carbon fiber, causing it to turn cloudy or milky over time. Applying a high-quality UV-resistant clear coat can significantly reduce this risk and preserve the appearance of the hood.

2. Moisture Penetration: Moisture can enter the resin through micro-cracks or imperfections, leading to cloudy spots, especially in regions with frequent freeze-thaw cycles. Ensuring the hood is properly sealed and protected against moisture infiltration is crucial.

3. Chemical Exposure: Exposure to harsh chemicals, such as road salts and certain cleaning agents, can react adversely with the resin, causing discoloration and cloudiness. It’s important to minimize contact with such chemicals and to clean any residues promptly.

Maintenance and Usage

1. Improper Cleaning: Using abrasive cleaners or tools can scratch the surface of the carbon fiber, leading to a cloudy appearance. It's essential to use non-abrasive, carbon fiber-specific cleaning products and soft microfiber cloths to maintain the hood’s finish.

2. Wax and Polish Residue: Incorrect waxing or polishing products can leave residues that result in a cloudy look. Always use products specifically formulated for carbon fiber to avoid adverse chemical reactions and maintain clarity.

3. Physical Damage: Impacts, stress, or improper handling can cause micro-cracks or delamination in the resin, resulting in white spots. Regular inspection and careful handling are necessary to identify and address these issues before they become significant problems.

Lack of Maintenance

1. Neglecting Regular Cleaning: Failing to regularly clean the carbon fiber hood can allow dirt, grime, and other contaminants to build up, which can lead to discoloration and cloudiness. Consistent cleaning using the right products can prevent these issues.

2. Ignoring Protective Coatings: Skipping the application of protective coatings, such as UV-resistant clear coats, can leave the resin vulnerable to environmental damage. Regularly applying these coatings is essential to protect the hood from UV rays and other harmful elements.

3. Delayed Repairs: Postponing repairs for minor damages like scratches or micro-cracks can lead to more severe issues, including cloudy spots. Addressing these problems promptly can prevent further deterioration.

Additional Protective Measures

1. Ceramic Coating: Applying a ceramic coating to the carbon fiber hood can provide an extra layer of protection against UV rays, moisture, and chemical exposure. Ceramic coatings are highly durable and help maintain the hood's glossy finish while making it easier to clean.

2. Paint Protection Film (PPF): Installing a paint protection film can shield the carbon fiber hood from physical damage, such as stone chips, scratches, and minor impacts. PPF is transparent and self-healing, ensuring long-lasting protection without altering the hood's appearance.

Prevention and Maintenance Tips

1. UV Protection: Regularly apply a high-quality UV-resistant clear coat to shield the resin from sun damage.

2. Proper Cleaning: Use non-abrasive, carbon fiber-friendly cleaning products and soft microfiber cloths to clean the hood, avoiding harsh chemicals and abrasive materials.

3. Regular Inspection: Frequently inspect the hood for signs of damage or discoloration and address them promptly.

4. Appropriate Waxing Products: Ensure the use of waxes and polishes specifically designed for carbon fiber to avoid any chemical incompatibilities.

5. Ceramic Coating: Consider applying a ceramic coating for enhanced protection against UV rays, moisture, and contaminants.

6. Paint Protection Film (PPF): Install a paint protection film to protect against physical damage and maintain the hood's appearance.

Repairing Cloudy Spots

1. Polishing: Minor cloudy spots can often be polished out using a fine-grit polishing compound and a soft cloth. This should be done carefully to avoid further damage.

2. Resin Repair: For more severe discoloration, sanding down the affected area and reapplying a clear resin or clear coat might be necessary to restore the hood’s appearance.

3. Professional Assistance: In cases of extensive damage, seeking professional help from a carbon fiber specialist is advisable. They can ensure the repair is performed correctly, preserving both the aesthetic and structural integrity of the hood.

By understanding these factors and prioritizing proper maintenance, aftermarket carbon fiber hood enthusiasts can prevent and address cloudy white spots, ensuring their hoods remain visually appealing and durable.

Our Grade "A" carbon fiber hoods are unrivaled in quality within the industry. Each hood features a robust carbon fiber framework that ensures strength and durability. The exterior is meticulously hand-laid with carbon fiber and coated with multiple layers of clear resin, culminating in a high-gloss finish that outshines competing products. This finish is further protected by a epoxy resin coating that shields the hood from sun damage, preventing the fading and yellowing commonly seen with other hoods. On the underside, the hood boasts a reinforced fiberglass structure, neatly covered with a seamless fiberglass layer that replicates a clean, factory appearance. For an even more polished aesthetic, we offer double-sided carbon fiber hoods, where the framework itself is also encased in carbon fiber.

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.

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Gas struts and tension rods are designed to exert significant pressure to facilitate the opening and lifting of heavier Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) hoods, trunks, and hatches. These OEM components are calibrated for specific rigidity and weight, which may not align with the properties of aftermarket composite parts. Aftermarket parts generally do not possess the same tensile strength as OEM parts and are thus less capable of withstanding the high pressure exerted by standard struts or rods. This discrepancy can lead to fitment problems, manifesting as bulging or, in more severe cases, cracking of the aftermarket components.

If you notice such fitment issues, it is critical to remove the struts or rods immediately to halt further damage. For minor deformations, a remedial technique involves the application of heat and weight. This method includes placing a heavy object on the affected area—ensuring there is a protective layer, like a towel, between the object and the composite part—and allowing it to sit under direct sunlight for several days. This approach utilizes the heat to soften the composite material slightly, allowing the weight to help reshape and potentially reverse the deformation, provided it hasn’t been left too long without intervention. This technique exploits the thermal expansion properties and viscoelastic behavior of composite materials to correct deformations non-invasively.

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.

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 trunks might not exactly match the specifications of your car's original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. As a result, you may notice differences in size and alignment, which could lead to a more pronounced gap between the trunk and your car's body compared to the original factory trunk.

To achieve the best possible fit, it's essential to meticulously adjust the trunk. Aim for an even alignment on both sides to ensure that the trunk not only looks integrated but also functions properly. Correct alignment helps maintain the car's aesthetic appeal and ensures that the trunk operates smoothly without any issues.

We highly recommend using a heatshield to protect your carbon fiber hood from several heat-related damages. Carbon fiber, while strong and lightweight, is susceptible to the high temperatures typically generated by engine operation. Without a heatshield, this heat can lead to discoloration and yellowing of the hood's surface, diminishing its aesthetic appeal. Additionally, prolonged exposure to heat can cause the resin in the carbon fiber to weaken, leading to cracking and bubbling. These issues not only affect the appearance of the hood but can also compromise its structural integrity. By installing a heatshield, you effectively shield the hood from excessive heat, thus preserving both its looks and functionality.